August 2025
An MND diagnosis comes with a lot of hard, practical life changes. The idea of having to stop driving is one of the big ones; it’s not just a matter of practicality, but of independence.
The good news is that being diagnosed with MND doesn’t necessarily mean that you must stop driving. You will need to have your driving ability assessed by a medical professional and local licensing authority, which will determine what you’re legally able to do after your diagnosis.
Every driver has a responsibility to routinely consider whether they are physically and mentally ‘fit to drive’ in order to avoid putting themselves, or anyone else at risk.
Following a diagnosis of a long-term condition, including MND, you are legally obligated to report it to your local licensing authority (eg. Vic Roads).
“All Victorian licence holders have a legal responsibility to report any serious, permanent or long-term illness, disability, medical condition or injury (or the effects of treatment for any of those conditions)” - Vic Roads
Reporting your condition is required, even if you feel your symptoms are not currently impacting on your fitness to drive. Not disclosing your MND diagnosis could affect your insurance coverage, lead to a traffic fine, or even endanger lives.
To report your condition to your licensing authority, start by chatting with your GP. Scheduling a longer appointment may be helpful to allow more time for discussion.
Your GP will complete a medical report form and submit it to your state-based licensing authority.
Reporting your MND diagnosis does not automatically mean that you’ll lose your licence, or have restrictions imposed.
Based upon your medical report, the licensing authority will inform you of any further steps required. To further inform their decision, you may be asked to undertake an occupational therapy driving assessment, which is completed in a dual-controlled vehicle.
Some possible outcomes include unrestricted driving, a need for periodic reviews, conditions on the time of day or distance you can drive, modifications to the vehicle (alternative controls), or license suspension / cancellation.
Whether it’s a short trip in your local area or a longer drive to another town, here are some tips on things to do and think about before you hop into the car:
For further transport assistance, get in touch with your MND Advisor and Support Coordinator or chat with your occupational therapist for advice on accessing your community.
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