Supporting people with a disability
to obtain their Drivers licence
2012 Fact Sheet 6
Driving with a disability
This information is relevant to people with disabilities who may wish to drive. The disability may
affect their hands, arms, legs and / or spine. Disabilities may be caused by an amputation, an
injury or a congenital defect. Disabilities can also result from medical conditions such as stroke,
arthritis or multiple sclerosis. So a person with a disability refers to anyone with physical limitations,
regardless of the cause.
Driving with a temporary physical disability
Disabilities such as a broken arm or leg may not prevent you from driving, but you need to make
sure that you are able to drive safely. For example, even if you are permitted to use the affected
limb, a plaster cast may make it difficult for you to control a vehicle. Seek your doctor’s advice on
whether you should drive and how the cast will affect your ability to operate the vehicles controls.
Driving with a permanent physical disability
A person with a physical disability can drive if they are assessed as being safe to drive.
To obtain a learner permit or a driver licence, a person with a disability is required to meet the
same requirements as a person who has no disability.
However, a person with a disability will need to provide a medical report that provides information
to VicRoads on the nature and extent of the disability, and to ensure that there are no other
medical concerns that may prevent the person from driving safely. Your doctor will provide you with
a medical report and this should be sent to:
VicRoads Medical Review
PO Box 2504
Kew 3101
Some examples of disabilities and how they are managed include:
Disability
Management Strategy
Impairment to, or loss of, foot or leg
Impairment to hand or arm
A driver with one arm or hand
Reduced neck movement
The driver needs to show that they can reach and
safely operate all foot controls such as brake, clutch
and accelerator pedals. Pedals can be modified or
altered if required. When neither leg can be used, hand
controls are required.
The driver needs to show that they can reach and
operate all hand controls, grip the steering wheel and
turn it through the full range of movement. Driving a car
with manual transmission requires both arms.
The driver may be able to drive a car with automatic
transmission provided they can reach and operate all
controls. A steering aid on the steering wheel may be
required, and power steering may be necessary.
Additional mirrors can enable the driver to view the
side and rear of the vehicle and surrounding traffic.
Ref. Vic Roads
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licences/MedicalConditions/LicensingAndDrivingForPeople
WithADisability.htm
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Frequently asked questions
Who can support someone with a learning disability to obtain a learn to drive
permit?
Support is available for people with a learning disability through the driver Education Program
CREATE (Wyndham) a division of CREATE (Geelong)
The purpose of CREATE’s driver education program is to assist people in gaining their Learners
Permit. The program is designed for people who have difficulty with reading or who have learning
difficulties. The program runs for ten weekly one hour sessions and focuses on teaching
participants all aspects of obtaining their learners permit with an emphasis on safety and the
responsibilities involved in having a permit. Each lesson provides one to one assistance, is
individually catered to the individual and run at their own pace. The lessons are varied and
individualized and include the use of both visual and verbal learning tools such as road safety
computer programs. Assistance is provided in all steps of the learner permit process, including
filling in forms and providing support when undertaking the test if required
Contact CREATE Phone 9974960
Fax: 9974 1559
Email wyndham@creategeelong.com
What if I have difficulty reading the Learners Book, is there a video or audio to listen
too?
Mission Australia have made all the information required to sit the L's test available in
video/audio on their website with practice tests, video chapters of the L's book and practice
games. www.maignition.com.au
What if I develop a disability while holding a current learner permit?
If you develop a disability while you hold a learner permit, you will need to provide a medical report
that provides information to VicRoads on the nature and extent of the disability, and to ensure that
there are no other medical concerns that may prevent you from driving safely. This report should
be sent to:
VicRoads Medical Review
PO Box 2504
Kew 3101
What if I develop a disability while holding a current driver licence?
If you develop a disability while you hold a probationary licence, or a full driver licence, you will
need to provide a medical report that provides information to VicRoads on the nature and extent of
the disability, and to ensure that there are no other medical concerns that may prevent you from
driving safely. You will also have to be assessed to determine if you can drive safely with your
disability.
This off-road assessment and on-road test is administered by an occupational therapist
specialising in driver assessment. Occupational therapists are health professionals who assist
people with physical or mental disabilities to resume normal daily activities.
If you require a list of occupational therapy driver assessors, please contact Medical Review.
Email - medicalreview@roads.vic.gov.au
Fax - 03 9824 2370
Or write in to request a copy: Medical Review
60 Denmark St
KEW MELBOURNE VIC 3101
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Who pays for occupational therapy driver assessments?
In most cases, the cost must be met by the licence holder. However, if your disability is the result
of a motor vehicle accident the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) may pay for the
assessment.
Can I drive with vehicle modifications and prosthetic aids?
If you hold a current learner permit you may learn to drive any type of vehicle, including a modified
vehicle.
If you hold a current driver licence and want to learn to drive a modified vehicle you must be
accompanied by a driver with a non-probationary licence who has held their licence for two years
or more. It is advisable to display a Driver Under Instruction plate on the vehicle. These plates are
15 cm x 15 cm with black writing on a yellow background.
As disabilities vary between people, modifications must be appropriate to meet the needs of the
individual driver. Occupational therapists specialising in driver assessment can advise what
modifications or aids you may need and where the vehicle modifications can be fitted.
Typical vehicle modifications include a spinner aide knob which is fitted to the steering wheel for
drivers with impairment to, or who have lost one arm, and left foot accelerators for those who have
impairment to, or who have lost, their right leg.
If you have a conditional licence related to the need for vehicle modifications you will only be able
to legally drive a car or motorcycle with the modifications that are designed to accommodate your
disability.
Unless you have workers compensation insurance or TAC insurance you will have to pay for the
cost of any modifications made to your car or motorcycle.
How can I get a Disabled Parking Permit?
You will need to apply to the Melton Shire Council for a Disabled Parking Permit. If you are eligible
you will be issued with a parking permit to allow you to park in spaces reserved for disabled
motorists and in other parking bays for a longer period of time, provided the initial parking fee is
paid.
You must display this permit whenever you park in a disabled parking area or any other parking
area.
What if my disability improves?
If your physical disability improves you can have your situation reviewed by VicRoads Medical
Review. If appropriate, the modifications to your vehicle and the information on your permit or
driver licence can be removed or updated.
What other medical conditions may affect safe driving?
Diabetes, heart disease, seizures, poor vision, psychiatric disorders, Parkinsons disease, stroke,
sleep apnoea and multiple sclerosis are examples of medical conditionals that may affect safe
driving.
People with such medical conditions are required to provide a medical report before VicRoads can
issue a learner permit or driver licence.
Ref. Vic Roads
Who can I contact for more information?
The Disabled Motorists Association can provide disabled drivers and riders with advice and
assistance about driving with a disability. For further information visit the Disabled Motorists
Association website or call VicRoads Medical Review on 03 9854 2407.
What if my car needs modifications, who can do this?
Many motor vehicles can be modified here in Melbourne.
One company is Franks Engineering
Contact Ph: 93540400
Although there may be other companies this is the main one that is often used.
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What funding is available for car modifications?
Modifications to your car e.g. Hand control foot pedals. You can apply for funding of $10,000 over
7 years. This can only be applied for after the applicant has obtained the probationary permit
(‘P’ plates).
Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme
Who is eligible?
A vehicle modification subsidy is now available for Victorian residents with a permanent or long
term disability who meet the eligibility criteria of the Aids and Equipment Program (A&EP).
The subsidy will assist:
 People requiring vehicle modifications to drive their primary vehicle due to their disability
 People with a disability requiring modifications to travel as passengers in their primary vehicle.
http://swep.bhs.org.au/vmss
I need assistance to gain my 120 hours of mentor driving before my test, who can
help me?
The VicRoads L2P - learner driver mentor program assists learners under 21 years of age, who do
not have access to a supervising driver or vehicle, to gain the driving experience required to apply
for a probationary licence.
Young people are matched with fully licensed volunteer mentors, and use a sponsored vehicle to
gain supervised driving experience. L2P is free for eligible young people and is funded by the TAC.
The L2P program does include some professional driving lessons at various stages of your
progress. The program does not cover the cost to obtain your Learner permit or Probationary
Licence.
Learner drivers
To join an L2P program, you need to:
 be between 16 and 20 years of age
 hold a current learner's permit
 not have access to either a vehicle, a supervising driver, or both.
If you meet these criteria, you or your parent, school or community group can contact one of the 53
L2P programs across Victoria.
Volunteer mentors
To become a volunteer mentor in an L2P program, you need to:
 be over 21 years of age
 hold a current full Victorian driver's licence
 meet requirements of your local L2P program.
If you meet these criteria, and you are interested in helping young people, contact your nearest
L2P Program.
Where is my local L2P Program?
Djerriwarrh Employment and Education Service supports the L2P Program in the Shire of Melton
Contact Ph: 87461000
If you require minor modification to the Melton L2P vehicle to assist your mentor driving, please
discuss this well in advance with Djerriwarrh Employment and Education Service. The Djerriwarrh
Service and Melton Shire Council are committed to working through individual special needs as
well as the day to day L2P program. The L2P program can work closely with your Occupational
Therapist.
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Are there any driving schools that support driving lessons for people with a
disability?
As this is a specialised area of teaching there are only a few driving schools that are available.
Starting Point Driving School Melton has a spinner knob on the steering wheel, a left foot and
indicator modification.
Contact Steve Ph: 0403 954 413
Freeway Driving School, Tullamarine has hand control RB System
Contact Jose Ph: 0400 760 960
RACV Driving Instructor (Geelong) has a car with hand controls, left foot accelerator, spinner
knob on the steering wheel and left hand indicator modifications
Contact Cathy Ph 0418 522 827
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