In Queensland, you are legally required to notify Transport and Main Roads (TMR) if you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive safely. The fine for not doing so can be significant, up to $9,600, and your licence may be cancelled.

Despite this, many people don't know they need to report, aren't sure how, or are worried about what will happen if they do. This article explains the process clearly.

Who needs to report?

You must notify Queensland Transport and Main Roads if you have a permanent or long-term medical condition that is likely to adversely affect your ability to drive safely. This applies to anyone who holds a Queensland driver licence, as well as interstate or overseas licence holders who intend to drive in Queensland.

You must also report if you have a permanent or long-term increase in, or other aggravation of, an existing medical condition that is likely to affect your driving.

Temporary conditions (such as a broken leg that will heal fully) generally don't need to be reported unless they become long-term or permanent.

What conditions need to be reported?

The requirement covers any condition that may affect your driving. This includes (but isn't limited to):

Neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, brain injury, or brain tumour.

Cognitive conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or significant cognitive impairment from any cause.

Physical conditions such as amputation, spinal cord injury, significant arthritis, or any condition causing significant weakness or loss of coordination.

Vision conditions such as significant vision loss, visual field defects, or other conditions affecting driving-relevant vision.

Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (particularly if untreated or poorly controlled) or narcolepsy.

Diabetes where it may cause hypoglycaemic episodes that could affect driving, particularly if you take insulin.

Cardiac conditions in some cases, such as recent cardiac events or conditions causing syncope (fainting).

Autism spectrum disorder only needs to be reported if it is likely to affect safe driving. TMR specifically notes that a diagnosis of autism alone does not automatically require notification.

The key question is: could this condition affect my ability to drive safely? If the answer is yes (or possibly), it should be reported. If you're unsure, ask your GP.

How to report

There are two main ways to notify TMR about a medical condition:

Option 1: Online notification

You can use TMR's online service to notify them about your medical condition. This is available through the Queensland Government website.

Option 2: Medical condition notification form (Form F4355)

You can complete the medical condition notification form (Form F4355) and either email it to TMR or mail it to the address on the form.

Through your doctor

Your doctor can also notify TMR on your behalf. Health professionals in Queensland are legally permitted to notify TMR if they believe a patient's medical condition is likely to affect their ability to drive safely. Queensland health professionals can use a secure online service to do this.

In practice, the process often starts with your doctor. When your GP or specialist identifies a condition that may affect driving, they will usually:

• Discuss it with you

• Complete the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (Form F3712)

• Submit the form to TMR

This is often the smoothest pathway because the doctor provides clinical context along with the notification.

What is Form F3712?

Form F3712 (Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver) is the form your doctor completes to assess and report on your fitness to drive. It's the Queensland equivalent of a fitness-to-drive medical assessment.

On this form, your doctor records their assessment of your medical condition and makes a recommendation about your driving. The three possible outcomes are:

You meet the medical standards and can continue driving (possibly with conditions).

Further assessment is needed, and your doctor recommends an OT driving assessment. Your doctor may indicate that you should not drive until the assessment is completed.

You don't meet the medical standards and should not drive.

Your doctor submits the completed form to TMR, either electronically or by email to mcr@tmr.qld.gov.au.

For a detailed explanation of what happens when an OT assessment is recommended, see our guide to what an OT driving assessment involves.

What happens after you report?

Once TMR is aware of your condition, they will review the information and determine next steps. This could include:

No change to your licence. If the medical information indicates your condition is well-managed and doesn't currently affect driving, your licence continues as normal.

Conditions placed on your licence. TMR may add conditions based on the medical information (such as "must wear corrective lenses," "automatic transmission only," or "periodic medical review required"). For more on how licence conditions work, see our guide to licence conditions after an OT driving assessment.

A request for further medical information. TMR may ask you to provide additional medical evidence or have a specialist assessment.

A request for an OT driving assessment. If there's uncertainty about how your condition affects your driving, TMR may require an OT driving assessment before making a decision.

Suspension or cancellation. In some cases, your licence may be suspended until further assessment is completed, or cancelled if the condition clearly makes driving unsafe.

TMR will notify you in writing about any changes to your licence.

What if you don't report?

Not reporting a medical condition that affects driving carries serious consequences in Queensland:

Fines. The maximum court-imposed fine for failing to notify TMR of a medical condition is more than $9,600.

Licence cancellation. TMR may cancel your licence if they later discover an unreported condition.

Insurance. Your car insurance is likely invalid if you're driving with an undeclared condition that affects your driving. If you have an accident, you could be personally liable for all costs.

Legal liability. If you have an accident and it's found that you had an undeclared condition, you could face serious legal consequences.

Can someone else report?

Yes. In Queensland, anyone can report a concern about a driver's medical fitness to TMR. Health professionals are also legally permitted to notify TMR if they believe a patient's condition affects driving safety.

Reports can be made through TMR's online service or by contacting them directly.

Reporting doesn't mean losing your licence

This is the most important thing to understand. Reporting a medical condition to TMR is not the same as having your licence taken away. For most people, the process leads to a medical assessment, sometimes an OT driving assessment, and often the outcome is that you can continue driving, possibly with conditions.

The process exists to keep you and other road users safe. Reporting early means any issues can be identified and addressed before they become a crisis.

Getting help

If TMR has asked you to complete an OT driving assessment, or if your doctor has referred you for one, you can start the process at steerdriving.com.au/referral.

If you're unsure whether your condition needs to be reported, your GP is the best person to ask.

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.

FAQ Section

What medical conditions do I need to report to Queensland Transport? Any permanent or long-term medical condition that is likely to adversely affect your ability to drive safely. This includes neurological conditions, cognitive conditions, significant physical impairments, vision conditions, sleep disorders, and others. If in doubt, ask your GP.

How do I report a medical condition to Queensland Transport and Main Roads? You can use TMR's online notification service, complete the medical condition notification form (Form F4355), or have your doctor notify TMR on your behalf. Your doctor can also complete the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (Form F3712) as part of a fitness-to-drive assessment.

What is Form F3712? The Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (Form F3712) is the form your doctor completes to assess and report on your fitness to drive in Queensland. It's submitted to Transport and Main Roads and includes your doctor's recommendation about your driving status.

Will I lose my licence if I report a medical condition? Not automatically. Reporting a condition leads to a review process, which may include a medical assessment or an OT driving assessment. Many people continue driving after reporting, sometimes with conditions on their licence.

What's the fine for not reporting a medical condition in Queensland? The maximum court-imposed fine is more than $9,600, and your licence may be cancelled. Your insurance may also be invalid if you drive with an undeclared condition.

Can a family member report my medical condition to Queensland Transport? Yes. Anyone can report a concern about a driver's medical fitness to Transport and Main Roads through their online service or by contacting them directly.