Your driver or rider licence – for people with disability

Driving with a disability

There are different ways for people living with disability to get or maintain a driver licence.

There are certain assessments you may need to do.

These depend on the seriousness of your disability or injury, and its impact on your driving ability.

What do I need to get a licence?

Depending on your situation, to get, maintain or renew your licence, you may need:

• a medical assessment for Fitness to Drive
• a standard driving test
• vehicle modifications
• an occupational therapist driving assessment
• a disability driving test
• conditions on your licence.

Always consult with your medical specialist and Service NSW about what you need to do. The information below is for general guidance only.

Medical advice

Book an appointment with a medical specialist to find out more about your driving options.

They can advise you what assessments you might need, depending on your situation. They may ask you to complete a medical assessment for Fitness to Drive.

They may recommend you work towards completing either a standard driving test or Disability driving test.

Standard driving test

Your medical specialist may advise you to take a standard driving test.

Generally, a disability driving test is not required if you have:

• loss of up to 3 fingers on one hand
• loss of toes
• stiffness in a joint
• one limb shorter than the other.

Disability driving test  

If this is your first time getting a driver licence, you may need to sit an Occupational Therapist driving assessment and a disability driving test.

Your occupational therapist driving assessor may advise you to drive with hand controls or other vehicle modifications .

The types of serious disabilities that can affect your ability to drive include:

• loss or serious impairment of one or both legs
• loss or serious impairment of one or both arms
• loss of more than 3 fingers on one hand
• any other serious physical or intellectual disability.

Always contact your health professional for advice. You can also:

• read Assessing Fitness to Drive
• call Service NSW on 13 22 13
• visit a service centre
• see Driving assessments for people with disability.

Updating an existing licence for a new disability

Get in touch with your doctor to book a medical assessment.

They will check if you're medically fit to drive and send us the medical report electronically.

If you're still medically fit to drive, you may need to sit an occupational therapist driving assessment or have conditions added to your licence. You may be advised to drive with hand controls or other vehicle modifications .

Your doctor should talk you through these options. Your local driver-trained occupational therapist can assist with information relating to modifying your vehicle.

Prosthetic legs

If you have a prosthetic (artificial) leg, you must pass a driving test to show you can operate the foot pedals before you can continue to drive on an existing licence.

Leg amputations

If you've had your left leg amputated, you don't need to take a driving test if you:

• already hold an existing NSW licence
• still have full use of your right leg
• elect to have a condition added to your licence that you can only drive an automatic vehicle.