April 14, 2020
Drivers aged 75 and over will no longer have to visit their doctor or optometrist for a medical certificate to keep their licences – at least until the COVID-19 crisis ends.
The change is part of the push to ensure older Queenslanders stay safely at home.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said doctors and optometrists have reported that older Queenslanders have been leaving their homes to renew their medical certificate when they should be limiting travel.
“The health advice has been clear: Stay at home,” Minister Bailey said.
Regulatory changes have been made to do two things in response to COVID-19:
- Medical certificates that were obtained to meet the senior driver requirements, that expired after January 29, 2020, will be considered valid until six months after the COVID-19 emergency ends; and
- During this emergency period, senior drivers will not be committing an offence if they drive while not holding a valid medical certificate.
These changes come into effect on Friday (April 10).
“These changes will help to reduce the risk of virus exposure senior Queensland drivers would face when visiting a clinic and taking medical exams. The more people staying at home, the more we can lessen the strain on our health system,” Mr Bailey said.
“I encourage everyone in the community to relay this information to older friends and relatives to help ease their concerns.”
