Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

Dementia can make driving difficult as it can affect memory, concentration, judgement and vision.

Dementia can make driving difficult as it can affect memory, concentration, judgement and vision.
beginning of content

Dementia and driving

3-minute read

What is dementia?

Dementia is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks.

There are many causes of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Dementia is more common in older people but can affect people in their 40s and 50s.

Dementia can affect memory, concentration, judgement and vision, which makes driving a car more difficult. If you have dementia, regular medical check-ups can help you keep track of your condition and whether it is safe for you to drive.

How does dementia affect driving ability?

Dementia can make driving unsafe because it can affect someone’s ability to coordinate multiple tasks, judge distances and speed, stay alert, process information, remember directions and cope with stressful situations.

Being diagnosed with dementia does not mean the person has to stop driving straight away. But as the disease progresses, they will eventually need to stop driving.

Starting a conversation about driving

It can be hard to talk about driving with someone who has dementia, as they might see it as their right or as something they can do automatically. They might see their inability to drive as a very big loss and a decrease in their independence.

  • Discuss their driving habits, so you can find other transport options to keep them active and socially connected.
  • Arrange for more home visits so they do not need to drive.
  • Be positive that their roles in life — for example, as a grandparent or partner – will continue without driving.
  • Explain how dementia affects them — while their driving record may be safe, this will not always be the case.
  • Talk finances — no more paying for registration, insurance and petrol.
  • Encourage regular visits to their doctor and other health professionals to check medication, eyes, diet and general health, to help maintain some independence.

Legal requirements: driving tests and medical clearance

To keep driving, the person with dementia will need a medical assessment from their doctor using the Assessing Fitness to Drive National Standards.

If you have dementia, you are required by law to notify your state’s road traffic authority. If you continue to drive and are a serious risk on the roads, your doctor is legally authorised and obliged to notify authorities.

When to stop driving

Your doctor can advise you to stop driving but your state or territory driver licensing authority ultimately makes the decision.

Resources and support

The Dementia Australia website provides information and resources about dementia and driving in each state:

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: July 2022


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Dementia and driving | Dementia Australia

Dementia can cause loss of memory, limited concentration, and vision and insight problems. This affects a person’s judgement and ability to drive safely.

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Is it dementia? | Dementia Australia

The Is It Dementia website was decommissioned in June 2018. Is It dementia is an education workshop designed to broaden dementia knowledge for customer-facing staff in the banking, c

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Homelessness | Dementia Australia

Homelessness and dementia There are significant numbers of people in the homeless population with cognitive impairment, including dementia.

Read more on Dementia Australia website

LGBTI resources | Dementia Australia

Resources LGBTI and dementia

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Walking safely with dementia | Dementia Australia

Walking is a healthy activity that should be part of your everyday life. There is no need to stop walking even once you have been diagnosed with dementia.

Read more on Dementia Australia website

LGBTI and dementia | Dementia Australia

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Travelling with dementia | Dementia Australia

Travelling and going on holidays plays an important role in many of our lives.

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Medicines and dementia: what you need to know | Dementia Australia

NPS have created a valuable resource which discusses dementia and medicine.

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Younger Onset Dementia and the NDIS | Dementia Australia

These Younger Onset Dementia and the NDIS resources provide information on understanding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how to access services and support.

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Family and friends matter | Dementia Australia

The Family and friends matter booklet reinforces the importance of family, friendship and social connection for people with dementia and provides strategies and ideas to h

Read more on Dementia Australia website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.