Just reached the seventy five age limit and have been informed by govt dept that I need a medical report to renew my license. The woman in the department to whom I spoke recently was basically bloody rude
and was possessed of an attitude of a prison warden. She had all the answers and from that some pretty hard assed power. I thought then that Grey Nomads Forum should be insisting
on courtesy and good manners by RMS in dealing with us. Should we as a group be in contact with the Minister?
I hold an HR licence and have done for 60 years with a clean record, no prangs, no drunk driving pinches etc. The medical form to be completed by my doctor is lengthy and looks scary.
Most of my ailments are from years ago and no longer trouble me at all - but when looked at now in a long list it looks like I'll be ready kark it next week.
I'm a good driver and until recently served ten years as a Cat 1 fire tanker driving instructor with the RFS. We live in a small country town where the medicos
assume a self importance quite out of proportion to either their skills or community standing. Any one who might disagree with treatment or opinion is very likely to be looking
for another GP located in the next big town 50 ks away.I no longer need my Heavy Rigid license but I am concerned what the doc might say and I end up with having to rely on
community transport. So don't laugh will you our 4WD and caravan still needs me, if fact we need each other.
Any advice for this old digger. Best wishes newboy
Yes, just grin and bare it...my wife has just through the same tests with the same nervous feelings, however everything turned out alright even though she has a diagnosed brain illness that will permanently deteriorate. She said to the doctor a 30km maximum license would suffice for, I requested 50kms and he filled out the medical recommendation accordingly.
The medical tests are a hassle and a pain but that's all and in the end it is actually in your best interests... I will suffer the same Events 2 years from now.
Really no need to worry, I have now been getting this form filled out for the last couple of years I try and combine it with my birthday checkup, paid for by Medicare and organised by the medical practice that i attend.
I think this birthday checkup is a Federal Government initiative for the over 75's
I also need to get that form signed off by an Eye Specialist or Optometrist, so I just line that yearly eye checkup close to my birthday.
Cheers
David
I "think" that if you downgrade your licence from HR to MR or LR depending on what you require you may be able to stave off the yearly medical for a while.
Problem is getting someone at RMS that knows.
I have to get my medical every year for medical reasons, even though I'm not quite as "mature" as you.
After the 1st year when you fret and worry about how it all comes together, you find that your state licensing dept and GP have it down to a fine art and it should all go smoothly.
Each year, the WA Dept of Transport send me out the form, I get my eyes checked (if you want a slacker check, then use your GP) and then the optometrist sends their report by email to my GP.
I then rock up and get my blood pressure done and asked if I feel OK and the doctor signs off the form (I now only hold a C class licence).
A few weeks later I get a bill from the Dept - pay it and then they send me my new drivers license.
Pity you struck a sour faced trout on the phone - the ones in WA are very friendly and helpful
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I "think" that if you downgrade your licence from HR to MR or LR depending on what you require you may be able to stave off the yearly medical for a while. Problem is getting someone at RMS that knows.
In NSW a medical is needed every year from 75 on even for a car license but I believe the medical is much more onerous if more than a car license.
The annual medical check is required in Canberra as well.
About a month before my birthday the form arrives in the mail, make an appointment with the doctor and after checking me out signs the form and either sends it back or gives it to me to drop off back to the motor registry.
Newboy is right - the form covers everything! In my case all I have to do (well, so far) is read the eye chart and have my blood pressure taken.
Hi Newboy because I hold a coach license I have to have a medical every year I look at it as a bonus and yes the forms can be frighting but I have a good GP, which is more than I can say for DOT nsw they are like rms a lot of them think they are doing us a favour by being there ,but I guess you do sometimes get a good one .Look at the positive you get a full check each year ,`I`m only 67 so you are a bit in front of me.mike g g
Did well to get to 75 and have held a HR for 60 years.
Testing for those of us who are in the older age group is an excellent idea. We may not like it, but many factors change as we age and we must view our licence not as a right. If you are put in charge of a potentially lethal weapon, you should show that you still have the ability to drive it.
I had to do this for the first time this year and wondered what we would do if I failed.
Doc checked blood pressure, asked me if I felt OK, got me to read an eye chart and signed the piece of paper. No Hassles this time at least. I hope I know when I am not competent to continue driving.
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BJC
"A year from now you'll wish you had started today."
