Elderly drivers are ‘doctor shopping’ to get licence renewed in New South Wales

Elderly drivers in New South Wales are reportedly ‘doctor shopping’ in a desperate attempt to keep their licences when it’s time to renew them.  

Sydney doctors have raised concerns about the worrying trend, where drivers aged 75 and over will visit GPs until they find one who will pass their annual medical review, which is required to remain on the road.

There have been a recent spate of deaths and accidents on NSW roads involving drivers aged over 70.

NSW drivers aged 75 and over (stock image) must pass a medical review every year to keep their licence

A man, 73, died on Thursday after his Toyota Camry sedan collided with a Toyota Landcruiser on the Mitchell Highway in Dubbo in central NSW. 

Dr Annette Munday, a GP in Sydney’s southwest told The Sunday Telegraph there are people aged their 90s who still want to remain behind the wheel.

‘When I started as a doctor, there weren’t very many drivers aged over the age 75 — now there are lots because people didn’t live that long,’ she told the publication.

‘We’ve got elderly people that don’t have the reflexes, are frequently on medications that impair their ability, some of these people have early dementia or poor memory, they’ve got poor eyesight and a lot of them shouldn’t be driving, quite frankly.’

Federal Macarthur MP Dr Michael Freelander was a GP before he entered politics last year.

He told the publication his own grandmother pressured him to sign her medical assessment when she was in her late 80s, despite being blind and deaf. 

Australian Road Safety Foundation chief executive Russell White (pictured) said elderly motorists were just as vulnerable as young, inexperienced drivers

Australian Road Safety Foundation chief executive Russell White (pictured) said elderly motorists were just as vulnerable as young, inexperienced drivers

Australian Road Safety Foundation chief executive Russell White is aware of the problem of ‘doctor shopping’

‘It’s probably no different to any other medical type scenario,’ he told The Sunday Telegraph.

‘If you have an addiction, you could probably, quite easily, shop around — doctor hop until you get the result you want.’

He said elderly motorists were just as vulnerable as young, inexperienced drivers.

One Sydney doctor said there are people aged their 90s who still want to remain behind the wheel (stock image)

One Sydney doctor said there are people aged their 90s who still want to remain behind the wheel (stock image)

NSW drivers aged 75 and over must pass a medical review every year to keep their licence, according to the Roads and Maritime Services website.

When they reach 85, they not only have a medical review every year but also decide between a modified or unrestricted licence.

A modified licence allows them to continue driving under certain circumstances regarding distance or time of day, which they must comply to.  

They must pass a practical driving test to keep their unrestricted licence.  



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