As we age, our driving abilities may start to decline. This is why it’s important for senior drivers in Queensland to take stay on top of their health and medical condition so that they can continue.
New rules for drivers over 75 in Queensland means that by law you must carry a valid medical certificate to drive a motor vehicle. You see there’s been recent changes to Senior Driver Licencing Laws where as of 1st August 2022, all Queensland driver licence holders aged 75 and over must carry a current medical certificate and drive according to any conditions on the certificate.
This is issued by your GP and sometimes they may ask for you to complete anOT driving assessment. From years of service to older Queenslanders we’ve answered our fair share of questions. So, in this article, we’ll take a closer look at the senior drivers test in QLD, including what it entails and what seniors can do to prepare for it.
In this article you'll learn:
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What is a Senior Drivers Test?
Are you an elder member of our community looking to renew or obtain your driver’s license? The process can be daunting and confusing, but fear not, Occupational Therapy Brisbane is here to help.
Our team of experienced health professionals specialises in assessing older adults, especially when health changes may affects a person’s driving skills.
On road assessment, also known as a practical driving assessment.
These assessment are a crucial step in ensuring safe and skilled driving for everyone on the road. But do you need to do both assessments? In our experience about 30% of our clients require an on road skills review and in the end this is a cost saving for you.
Remember, our team is always here to help you navigate this process with ease. Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information or to schedule an assessment today.
As we age, our driving behaviors and skills may change, including slower reaction times and vision impairment.
Not only are there age related changes, but when you’re also living with a health condition like heart disease, mild cognitive impairment or neurological conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s disease, it’s important to identify and address any potential issues to ensure safe and unrestricted driving.
All up you can expect to any one of these steps. Steps 1 and 2 are what most people will do, beyond that that’s where an occupational therapist can help. The Senior Drivers Test includes:
A medical assessment, where a licensed medical professional, commonly your GP assesses any medical conditions and medications that may affect driving. Your GP helps evaluate your “medical fitness” to drive.
Visual assessment – This is to be completed by an optometrist, to evaluate your visual acuity, field of vision, depth perception, and other factors crucial for safe driving. This assessment ensures that seniors have the visual capabilities necessary for confident and safe driving.
An in room “Desktop Driver Skills” assessment. Covers your physical, thinking and memory, reaction times, road rule knowledge and more.
Practical driving assessment, where a licensed driving instructor and therapist evaluates driving skills on the road. This covers the driver’s driving skills, including their lane positioning, road and traffic awareness and judgement ability, to follow road signs and traffic signals, and general driving behaviours.
In total these assessments provide you with valuable feedback on what you can do to
Protect and improve your skills and identify potential areas of concern.
At Occupational Therapy Brisbane, our team of OTs and instructors are dedicated to providing a comfortable and supportive environment for all of our clients.
We offer a range of services, including refresher driving lessons, vehicle fit assessments to help you maintain your independence on the road.
To learn more about the Senior Drivers Test and our services, contact us today
Duration of assessment with some assessments taking almost 4hrs to complete such as a comprehensive in room plus on road assessment.
* Please note that these cost ranges serve as a general guideline for driving assessment services in the industry.
At Occupational Therapy Brisbane, we understand the importance of cost-effective solutions for seniors drivers and strive to keep expenses down. By providing an in-clinic cognitive fitness to drive assessment separately, we can significantly reduce the cost for the majority of our clients. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you and address any queries you may have.
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Who Needs To Take A Senior Drivers Test?
Some people come wanting to check “where they are” in regards to their skills others are requested by their GPs to do this in order to maintain their driving licence.
So who is eligible for the senior drivers test?
Anyone over the age of 75 who holds a conditional or unconditional licence
Anyone living with a diagnosed neurological condition
A person who is wanting feedback on their driving performance and cognitive fitness.
Any driver with a medical condition that may affect their driving ability is also required to take the test.
It’s important to note that senior drivers are not the only ones required to take the test. Any licensed driver with a medical condition that may affect their driving ability may be required to take the test at any age.
However, senior drivers are more likely to have medical conditions that may affect their driving abilities, which is why they are required to take the test at a specific age.
How To Prepare For Your Driving Test
If you or someone you know is required to take the senior drivers test, there are a few things you should know.
First, it is important to prepare for the test by taking refresher driving lessons and practicing safe driving behaviours. Our Safe Driver Hub offers this as a bundles or one off programs. Not only that, getting up to speed to current driving laws are also extremely beneficial. No doubt, we all have our habits when driving and you’d be surprised at what some people think is legal and what’s not.
Second, be sure to bring any necessary documentation, including your
Renewal notice,
QLD Transport Medical assessment certificate, and
any other relevant medical information such as GP referral, and an Optometrist report
Sensory aids that you use such as hearing aids and glasses. This is a big one and one we see many people forgetting at times. It’s worth bearing in mind that this can have a profound effect on a person’s performance without them!
In conclusion, a senior drivers test performed by an Occupational Therapist is an important measure to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road.
If you’re over the age of 75 or have a medical condition that may affect your driving ability, be sure to take the test seriously and prepare accordingly.
By doing so, you can help ensure that you are able to continue driving safely and responsibly for many years to come.
Heard about the senior driver’s test and wondered if it’s worth taking?
Well, wonder no more! The senior driver’s test can offer a variety of benefits that can help improve your driving skills and keep you safe on the road.
First and foremost, taking the senior driver’s test can help you identify how your medical conditions may affect your skills and abilities for driving. That’s the real value of the in clinic assessment.
It’s a deep dive on how health changes affect those skills related to driving. Sometimes this is all that’s needed. Your health professional will conduct a complete assessment to ensure that you are physically and mentally capable of driving safely.
In addition to the medical assessment, the practical driving assessment will evaluate your driving skills, including your reaction time and ability to follow traffic signs and signals. This assessment can help you identify areas where you may need improvement and offer insight what to do about it.
Taking the senior driver’s test can also give you peace of mind. Knowing that you have taken steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road can be a great comfort, especially for those who may be hesitant about driving in their older age.
Finally, passing the senior driver’s test can help you maintain your driver’s licence be it an unconditional or conditional licence. This means that you won’t have to rely on public transport. Sometimes you may need to modify your licence but the outcome here still allows you to maintain your independence and freedom.
In summing up, yes it’s clear that there is a bunch of nerves about doing something like this. But in the end, taking the senior driver’s test can offer a range of benefits that can help you become a safer, more confident driver.
So don’t hesitate, book your test today and take one step closer to ensuring your safety on the road.
What Are The Steps For Taking A Senior Drivers Test in Queensland
Here’s what you need to know about the requirements for the test.
First things first, you’ll need to schedule a medical assessment with your GP. You’ll need this before any other assessment can happen. The outcome of your GP consultation maybe that you’re required to get specialised assessment.
Specialised assessment as mentioned earlier can be:
In clinic assessment – the benefits of starting here is that it’s less expensive than a complete on road assessment. That said it’s recommended that people with an active mental health condition, like schizophrenia or depression, do a practical skills assessment only.
On road assessment – this practical driving skills assessment, whilst more expensive allows for a real world view of how your managing behind the wheel.
To pass the assessments, you’ll need to demonstrate
safe driving behaviours and skills
consistent performance so that you can predictably meet diverse driving scenarios. This may include driving at appropriate speeds, using correct lanes, and obeying all traffic signals and signs.
If you’re feeling unsure about your driving skills, don’t worry! You can always schedule refresher driving lessons with an accredited driving instructor.
Passing the Senior Drivers Test may be for you very important for maintaining your driver’s licence.
What Are The Possible Outcomes of A Senior Driving Test
Much like using a map, your therapist is attempting to navigate to the right destination or in this case, the right result based on your performance. There are 3 possible outcomes in the assessment process.
Unconditional Licence: An unconditional licence is occasionally referred to as an “unrestricted licence” or “licence without limitation” allows you to drive without any restrictions or modifications.
Conditional Licence: Is a modified licence. This is where a person is not able to predictably meet all driving scenarios, though may meet some specific situations. An example of this is that a person doesn’t have the skills for night time driving or driving at speeds over 80km per hour. However a radius of 5km around their home, restricted to day time driving is likely to better match a persons skills
Retirement from driving: This is where the finding of the assessment is that a person is no longer recommended to hold a driving licence and that they are to retire from driving effective from the time of the assessment
No doubt, the last point can have a significant impact on a person. That’s why we’ve developed our Mobile for Life program – helps people be independent after hanging up their keys. It’s critical program to help people make this transition and is designed for retired drivers and their family members.
Whether you have a unrestricted or modified licence, your therapist and accredited assessor may recommend you have refresher lessons. These can be also used to help get familiar with vehicle adaptations, like spinner knobs, for example.
Is There Senior Drivers Test Near Me?
If you’re an elderly driver needing an assessment, there’s likely an assessment service near you. At Occupational Therapy Brisbane offers 3 convenient options for you.
First, there’s the in clinic assessment which is located centrally in Brisbane at our clinic in Spring Hill. Free parking and a very comfortable setting.
Second, the on road practical skills review is Brisbane wide where we come to you.
Third, if you’re outside the Greater Brisbane area, like regional QLD and have reliable internet and have no local assessment service the Online / Telehealth Driver Assessment service may be just for you.
FREE SELF ASSESSMENT: 15 WARNING SIGNS DRIVING IS DIFFICULT
FREE SELF ASSESSMENT: REVEALS 15 WARNING SIGNS DRIVING IS DIFFICULT
Free 15 Point Assessment Helps Spot Unsafe Driving Early. To DOWNLOAD Your Free Copy Today, enter your name and email below.
In conclusion, passing the senior driving test can be a daunting task, but it’s essential for preserving your independence and mobility as you age. We here to help so please contact us at OT Brisbane and see what might be the right service for you. Call 1300 783 200 today or simple fill out the contact form below.
