Review of Australia's Driving Fitness Rules Seeks Better Support for GPs
21 Jul 2026
The National Transport Commission (NTC) is updating Australia's Assessing Fitness to Drive Standards to reflect current medical evidence and changing healthcare needs.
For many GPs, deciding whether a patient should continue driving is one of the most challenging parts of clinical practice. These conversations can affect a person's ability to work, stay independent, care for family members, and remain socially connected.
Medical organisations, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), say doctors need more consistent guidance when making these decisions. They believe practical assessment tools based on clinical evidence could improve confidence and reduce variation between assessments.
Assessing people with memory problems or other conditions that affect thinking and judgement can be particularly difficult. Doctors often need to consider medical history, information from family members, and clinical findings while making decisions that can have significant personal consequences.
Healthcare leaders also point out that Australia's ageing population is increasing the number of patients who require fitness-to-drive assessments. At the same time, long waiting times for specialist appointments mean GPs are frequently managing these assessments without timely specialist input.
The RACGP is consulting with members as part of the national review, while the NTC will continue gathering feedback before releasing draft standards for further consultation in 2027. The updated national guidelines are expected to be published in 2028.
The review aims to ensure future fitness-to-drive assessments are consistent, evidence-based, and better supported across Australia's healthcare system.
Review of Australia's Driving Fitness Rules Seeks Better Support for GPs
Source: National Transport Commission (NTC) | Australian Medical Association (AMA) | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | newsGP