Assessing Fitness to Drive 2020-21 review
Since 2016, when Assessing Fitness to Drive was last fully reviewed, there have been medical advances, and users have gained valuable practical experience in applying the standards. The National Transport Commission (NTC) undertook the review of the medical standards contained in Assessing Fitness to Drive to ensure they reflect medical best practice and meet the practical needs of private and commercial vehicle drivers. This will continue to improve road safety outcomes through ensuring that drivers are medically fit to drive safely.
The scope of the review included a review of the introductory content (Part A) and the medical chapters/criteria (Part B) to ensure currency and accuracy. In conducting the review, the NTC considered:
- advances in medical knowledge
- new issues affecting medical standards for drivers
- changes to the driving environment and policies
- stakeholder feedback on the operation of the current standards and guidelines
- findings of recent coronial and other inquiries
- corrections needed to any of the text where mistakes were identified, or where information was out of date (and required updating).
The NTC undertook consultation rounds in September 2020 and May 2021 requesting stakeholder feedback on the 2016 version of Assessing Fitness to Drive and the proposed 2022 update, respectively. They received valuable feedback from a wide range of stakeholders including medical practitioners and other health professionals, consumer health organisations, government transport departments, driver licensing authorities, operators and peak industry bodies.
NTC 2022 AFTD review report
This report was developed to explain the changes to the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines. It covers general issues, followed by a chapter-by-chapter description of medical changes, then changes made to the appendices. The last section addresses issues that are out of scope. It is recommended that this report should be read in conjunction with the revised Assessing Fitness to Drive publication.
Contact the NTC
The Standards are informed by research and panels of medical experts. If you have questions or feedback about the standards please write to or email the National Transport Commission.