Dementia

Find out how to stay safe on the road with dementia

If you have dementia, you might experience changes to your:

  • memory
  • concentration
  • judgement
  • vision
  • problem-solving.

If you’re worried about changes to your memory, thinking or behaviour, it’s important to speak with your doctor. To find out more about dementia, visit the Better Health Channel (External link).

How dementia can affect your ability to drive safely

Dementia can affect your ability to drive safely by affecting your capacity to:

  • coordinate multiple tasks (like steering, gear changes and watching the road)
  • judge distances and space
  • stay alert and oriented
  • process information (like changes to driving conditions and hazards)
  • remember directions and destinations
  • cope with stressful conditions.

Whilst your driving may or may not be affected right now, it’s important to monitor your condition for any changes.  

What you need to do

If you notice any changes to your memory, thinking or behaviour, it’s important to speak with your doctor and discuss how your driving could be affected.

If you have or develop dementia, you must notify VicRoads. Drivers are legally required to report to VicRoads any medical conditions that could impact their ability to drive.

For more information, read our Dementia and driving information update [PDF 86Kb]

Fitness to drive 

If you have (or develop) a medical condition that could affect your driving safety, you must notify VicRoads. There could be serious consequences in not reporting a medical condition - Fitness to drive FAQs if you don’t.  

Find out what happens after you notify VicRoads.

 
 

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