I dont disagree with competency tests for us oldies to drive. Lets face it, the years add up and the reactions and judgements wane a little. I find myself second guessing a few things when driving. My late Mum lived in Cronulla and really should not have been driving. But.her doctor gave her a medical which said she was. The real story is that a lot of doctors wont fail the oldies as word gets around and they would lose a stack of patients. Aka $$$

Apparently there will a sticker to place on your car (like a 'p' plater), telling every one you are a senior(whatever that is!) age is just a number, we are all different in our abilities but this sticker is going to make us all targets, I drive always at the posted limit but feel like I,m holding up the frothing throng behind me, I have never seen so many drivers over the speed limit in my life, you would think older drivers would have enough experience to be safe on the road, I won,t ride my 750 Honda bike any more mainly for physical reasons(bloody thing is too heavy), I think most older people have enough sense to limit their driving or give it up John.

Joda wrote:

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I drive always at the posted limit but...

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 Your lucky, according to my car's computer my average city speed is 28kph (reset every tank full of petrol), & that's due to the density of traffic on our century old roads that were designed in a era when most people didn't drive. & the government wants to increase the density of housing. & a couple of bus runs were axed in July.

 

Sorry, just venting my spleen!

I hope (if it happens) you will all sign up for a class action based on age discrimination.

However, I had a look at the only web site I could find and it didn't appear to be a legit site.  I somehow don't see laws being made on the premise that it will make it easier for Emergency Services to identify an elderly person.  Look at the wrinkles!!!!  62+ ?  I am getting a bit sick of the push that over 65 have different health requirements from 64 yr olds.  There can be no line driven on health age. 

Can anyone find a site that can be believed for sure?

-- Edited by msg on Tuesday 28th of October 2025 10:16:44 PM

"I drive always at the posted limit but feel like I'm holding up the frothing throng behind me, I have never seen so many drivers over the speed limit in my life"

One of my pet hates. The driver that is on your butt at the speed limit then overtakes at any opportunity unsafe for them, me and the oncoming traffic.
I had a medical appointment 100 Km away on Monday.
Noticed going through a few rural towns with long main streets that a car or truck can be almost out of sight most of the way on the open road, but when one goes through the town at the EXACT speed limit by the time you are out the other side they are tailgating you.

This tells me, at some stage at the 50 KM limit and the odd school 40 limit, they have to be speeding.

I passed two of those speed trap units beside the road on innocuous sections.
I reckon they are wrongly deployed, they should be on roadworks where a speeding vehicle coming the other way machine guns my nice new bonnet, and in some town locations instead of downhill runs on "safer" roads.

As a senior driver with 50 years of experience, I last got booked in 1975 $10 for crossing double yellow lines.

Meredith wrote:

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Exactly what new tests and where? Driving licence tests are state based.

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 I must admit Meredith, I am with you. I did a search, and could not find anything about new testing for seniors. I admit it was not an AI based search, but there again, I trust AI as much as I trust Trump to give an honest, unbiased and accurate answer!

Southern Cruizer wrote:

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 Uuuummmmmm  you forgot someone else here.   We have our own Prime Minister who is as good as Trump with all his crap be blurts out

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 And what exactly does that have to do with driving tests?   The Prime Minister and federal government have nothing to do with tests that are set by each State.   

Brodie Allen wrote:

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First search - here's what i found:

(Narrow your window down to limit the line lengths for easier reading.)


Starting in November 2025, Australian drivers aged 70 and over are required to undergo mandatory eye and medical tests before renewing their driver's licences to ensure they meet safety standards.

These assessments, which include vision clarity checks and evaluations of overall medical fitness, are designed to address age-related declines in reaction time, vision, and physical health.

The frequency and type of test vary by state and age group, with some requiring annual assessments and others mandating practical driving tests for drivers over 80 or 85.

Mandatory Assessments for Drivers Aged 70+: From November 2025, all drivers aged 70 and above must complete a medical certificate and a comprehensive eye examination before licence renewal.

These checks are intended to detect conditions like cataracts or glaucoma that can impair driving ability.

State-Specific Requirements:
In New South Wales, drivers aged 75 and over must undergo a medical and on-road assessment annually.

Victoria requires an on-road test every two years for drivers aged 80 and over.

Queensland mandates a medical certificate every two years starting at age 70.

Western Australia requires a medical and practical test annually for drivers aged 80 and over.

Practical Driving Tests: Drivers aged 85 and over are generally required to pass a practical driving test every two years, unless they opt for a modified "local area licence" that restricts driving to nearby regions.

Preparation and Support: Seniors are encouraged to book assessments early, as demand is expected to be high.
Refresher driving lessons and professional assessments by accredited assessors are available to help seniors prepare.
Some states also offer voluntary fitness-to-drive declarations for drivers turning 70.
Ongoing Evaluation: Concerns about elderly drivers are not limited to Australia; similar safety campaigns, such as one in Wiltshire, UK, are advocating for mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70 every three years.

 

PS - this is a reasonable resume of half a dozen sites that I saved bits from but eventually

decided that one way or another they were pointing to the same generalities. So I did not

post in the interest of brevity. If you look on google etc you'll find lots of reports and in

parliamentary hHansard if you take the nightmare there's lots of stuff there on the same

subject.

 

It is going to come.  Insurance companies are major proponents. Watch the policies

escalate.

 

 

-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Sunday 9th of November 2025 01:21:21 PM

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There are NO new driving restrictions for older drivers, the ones that are in place have been so for years.   There has been a spate of fake clickbait articles claiming all kinds of things about older drivers but there is no basis in fact in them, they are simply to get people to click on articles.    https://www.mynrma.com.au/open-road/news/2025/false-news-night-driving-ban-over-60s    for example.     Driving tests are state based and no state has any serious plans for changes.

Strange.
I just renewed my license for 5yrs in NSW and never had any direction from NSW Services to do so.
Just filled in the usual renew license application and had physical card back in 7 days. 74yrs old.

I saw recently all this license and driving after certain hours is all AI generated and is not correct.
I'm sure I saw it on both Western Australia website and a Tasmanian website.

Until a law authority advises me, I believe none of it.

Brodie Allen wrote:

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Victoria requires an on-road test every two years for drivers aged 80 and over.

 

 

-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Sunday 9th of November 2025 01:21:21 PM

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 No it doesn't.    Don't know where you got your information but it is wrong (like much found online).  https://www.police.vic.gov.au/older-drivers    There are no special tests for older drivers unless there is a reported medical condition.

Brodie, I reside in Melbourne and have recently (two months ago) renewed my licence for three years. No test.

In a previous post you think that admin are posting on here under a nom de plume. I don't know whether that is true or not but, having had experience on a forum where the admin also posts, quite openly, impartiality cannot exist as the personal views of the administrator inevitably favour those who are of same opinion as him/her.

An administrator's job is surely to run the show in an orderly way, within the laid down guidelines, and keep their personal views to themselves.

-- Edited by Magnarc on Tuesday 11th of November 2025 07:57:19 AM

Cindy has never been backwards in coming on and commenting if necessary.

I certainly wouldnt see this topic causing her to post incognito to debunk information that appears incorrect based on others investigations. I am certain she isnt posting here! This just isnt important enough.

Some are just drawn in by some conspiracy theory websites posing as sound information, especially now that AI is involved and often touted as a reliable and unbiased source.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 11th of November 2025 11:16:18 AM

TheHeaths wrote:

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Cindy has never been backwards in coming on and commenting if necessary.

I certainly wouldnt see this topic causing her to post incognito to debunk information that appears incorrect based on others investigations. I am certain she isnt posting here! This just isnt important enough.

Some are just drawn in by some conspiracy theory websites posing as sound information, especially now that AI is involved and often touted as a reliable and unbiased source.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 11th of November 2025 11:16:18 AM

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 Good point Ian. I totally agree. AI is not the be all and end all of information. Co Pilot admits to making mistakes and it would not be the only one,so I take all AI with a large pinch of salt.

Meredith wrote:

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Exactly what new tests and where? Driving licence tests are state based.

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got my letter in the mail mostly the need for medical checks when you reach certain ages or have medical issues

each state will have their own guidlines