You left the appointment with a form. It has a number on it, F3712, and a note that says it needs to go to Transport and Main Roads (TMR). Nobody explained what happens after that.

This article walks through what the certificate is, where it goes, what TMR may do with it, and where an OT driving assessment fits in.

What is the Medical Certificate for Drivers?

It is the form your doctor completes after assessing whether you are medically fit to drive. In Queensland, you need one if you have a permanent or long-term medical condition that affects your driving, or if a condition you already have has changed or got worse.

From age 75 you also need to carry a current medical certificate to keep driving. Our guide to driving over 75 in Queensland explains that rule.

Is this the same as telling TMR about my condition?

Not quite, but they go together. You have a legal duty to tell TMR about a condition that is likely to affect your ability to drive safely. You can do that online, by emailing the Medical Condition Reporting Unit at mcr@tmr.qld.gov.au, at a transport service centre, or by post. The medical certificate goes with it. The only exception is if you are reporting that you need glasses or contact lenses to drive.

There is also a separate notification form, F4355. Our post on reporting a medical condition to Queensland Transport covers the options step by step.

What does TMR do with it?

TMR reads the certificate and decides whether to change your licence. Your doctor recommends. TMR decides.

The outcome may be no change. It may be a conditional licence with limits on medical treatments, driving restrictions or vehicle modifications. Examples TMR gives include daylight-only driving, a distance limit from home, a speed limit, no freeways, or a time limit each day. If you qualify, TMR records an M condition on your licence. That means you must keep a current medical certificate.

Our guide to licence conditions after an OT driving assessment in Queensland explains what the codes mean.

Where does an OT driving assessment fit in?

Sometimes your doctor is not able to tell, from an examination alone, whether your condition affects your driving. In that case TMR says you may need a practical driving assessment with a qualified occupational therapist.

In Queensland, your doctor refers you for the assessment. The OT assesses you off the road and on the road. The on-road part takes place in a driving instructor’s car fitted with dual controls. The OT then sends the report to your doctor, and your doctor submits an updated certificate to TMR. TMR decides what happens to your licence.

The OT does not make the licence decision. Our post on what happens after your OT driving assessment goes through this in more detail.

When you do not need an OT assessment

Many certificates are completed with no OT involvement at all. If your doctor is satisfied that your condition does not affect your driving, or that the right conditions are already in place, the certificate may go to TMR on its own.

An assessment makes sense when the effect on your driving is unclear, or when vehicle modifications may be needed. Our guide to vehicle modifications for drivers in Queensland covers the second case.

Can I keep driving while I wait?

You may be able to. If there is a delay before a specialist appointment, TMR says some drivers can get an interim medical certificate so they can continue to drive. You must meet the eligibility criteria, and your condition must not cause sudden incapacity. Ask your doctor.

What if I live near the border?

The licence decides the process, not your address. If you hold a Queensland licence, you follow the Queensland process even if you live near the border. If you hold a NSW licence, a different process applies. Our post on living near the border explains it.

Ready to book an OT driving assessment on the Gold Coast? Steer Driving is a mobile assessment service covering the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. Whether you already have a referral or you’re just getting started, get in touch and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

This article was written by Elise, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and driver assessor. Elise is the founder of Steer Driving, a mobile OT driving assessment practice.