Many people don't realise they're legally required to tell Transport for NSW about medical conditions that could affect their driving. Some find out only after something goes wrong.

This article explains who needs to report, what conditions are covered, how to do it, and what happens afterwards.

The legal requirement

In NSW, if you hold a driver's licence, you are legally required to notify Transport for NSW of any long-term or permanent injury, illness, medical condition, disability or treatment that may affect your ability to drive safely.

This isn't a recommendation. It's a legal obligation. It applies to all NSW licence holders, regardless of age.

You must report your condition as soon as it occurs or is diagnosed, not just when your licence comes up for renewal.

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.

Mental health conditions where they may affect driving ability (for example, conditions requiring medications with significant side effects, or conditions affecting judgement or behaviour).

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

Vision conditions such as significant vision loss, visual field defects, cataracts (if significantly affecting vision), macular degeneration, or other conditions affecting driving-relevant vision.

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

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

Diabetes where it may cause hypoglycaemic episodes that could affect driving.

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

Temporary conditions (like a broken arm that will heal fully) generally don't need to be reported, though you should follow your doctor's advice about when it's safe to drive during recovery.

Who usually reports?

In practice, the notification often comes from your doctor rather than from you directly. When your GP or specialist identifies a condition that may affect driving, they will usually:

• Discuss it with you

• Complete the Transport for NSW Fitness to Drive form

• Submit the form to Transport for NSW

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

However, the legal obligation sits with you as the licence holder. If your doctor hasn't reported it, you are still responsible for making sure Transport for NSW is aware.

How to report

You can notify Transport for NSW by:

• Emailing medicalunit@transport.nsw.gov.au

• Visiting a Service NSW centre

• Calling 13 22 13

Alternatively, your doctor can submit the Fitness to Drive form electronically through their practice management software, or on paper through a Service NSW centre.

What happens after you report?

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

No action required. If the information indicates your condition is well-managed and doesn't currently affect driving, nothing may change.

A request for a medical assessment. Transport for NSW may ask you to have a Fitness to Drive medical assessment with your GP or specialist. Your doctor will assess your fitness to drive and submit a report.

A request for an OT driving assessment. If there's uncertainty about how your condition affects your driving, or if your doctor recommends it, Transport for NSW may require an OT driving assessment before you can continue driving.

Conditions placed on your licence. Based on the medical information, Transport for NSW may add conditions to your licence (such as "must wear corrective lenses," "automatic transmission only," or "daytime driving only").

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.

Transport for NSW will notify you in writing about any changes to your licence.

What if I don't report?

Not reporting a medical condition that affects driving has serious consequences.

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

Insurance. Your car insurance is likely invalid if you're driving with an undeclared condition that affects your driving. This means you could be personally liable for all costs resulting from an accident, including damage to other vehicles, property, and injury to other people.

Licence consequences. If Transport for NSW later discovers the undeclared condition, they may suspend or cancel your licence.

Safety. Most importantly, an unreported condition that affects driving puts you and everyone else on the road at risk.

What about privacy?

Some people worry about reporting because they're concerned about privacy. Transport for NSW handles medical information confidentially. It's used solely for the purpose of assessing fitness to drive.

Your medical information isn't shared publicly or used for purposes unrelated to driving safety.

Can someone else report my condition?

Yes. Family members, friends, or any concerned person can report a driver's medical condition to Transport for NSW. They can do this by:

• Visiting a Service NSW centre and completing an unsafe driving report form (proof of identity is required)

• Calling 13 22 13

The report is treated confidentially. The driver won't be told who made the report.

Health professionals also have obligations to report. If your doctor identifies a condition that affects driving safety, they are expected to take appropriate action, which may include notifying Transport for NSW.

The bottom line

Reporting a medical condition to Transport for NSW isn't about having your licence taken away. For most people, it 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 make sure drivers are safe, and to protect both you and other road users. Reporting early means you get assessed early, and any issues can be addressed before they become a crisis.

If you're unsure whether your condition needs to be reported, the simplest step is to ask your GP. They can advise you and, if needed, handle the reporting process.

Getting help

If your GP or Transport for NSW has asked you to complete an OT driving assessment, you can start the process at steerdriving.com.au/referral.

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

FAQ Section

What medical conditions do I need to report to Transport for NSW? Any medical condition, illness, injury, or disability that may affect your ability to drive safely. This includes neurological conditions, cognitive conditions, significant physical impairments, vision conditions, sleep disorders, and others. Most temporary conditions and injuries don't affect your driving, so you don’t need to report them. If in doubt, ask your GP.

How do I report a medical condition to Transport for NSW? You can email medicalunit@transport.nsw.gov.au, visit a Service NSW centre, or call 13 22 13. Your doctor can also submit a Fitness to Drive form on your behalf.

What happens after I report my condition? Transport for NSW will review the information and determine next steps, which may include a medical assessment, an OT driving assessment, conditions on your licence, or (in some cases) no action required.

Will I automatically lose my licence if I report a condition? No. Reporting a condition doesn't automatically result in losing your licence. Many people continue driving after reporting, sometimes with conditions. The purpose of reporting is to ensure your driving is assessed and any safety issues are addressed.

Can a family member report my medical condition to Transport for NSW? Yes. Any person can report a driver's medical condition to Transport for NSW by visiting a Service NSW centre or calling 13 22 13. Reports are treated confidentially.

Do I need to report temporary conditions like a broken leg? Generally not. Temporary conditions that will resolve completely (like a fracture) usually don't need to be reported. However, you should follow your doctor's advice about when it's safe to drive during recovery.