If you intend to keep driving or riding after you've turned 70 years of age, use this guide to find out about licensing requirements and options, as well as the various benefits available to older drivers.
Licensing requirements for older drivers and riders
When you reach 75 years of age, you'll need a medical assessment each year to keep your unrestricted driver (class C) or rider (class R) licence.
To keep your unrestricted licence from 85 years of age, you'll need to:
- have a yearly medical assessment and either:
- pass a practical driving test every 2 years (at a Service NSW Centre or with an accredited driving assessor), or
- switch to a modified licence.
Note: You must complete the medical assessments and driving tests before your birthday. Transport for NSW will send you a notice by mail 8 weeks before.
Related transactions
- Apply for a licence to be reissued after being surrendered on medical grounds
- Apply for a modified driver licence
- Apply for a NSW Photo Card
- Change, add or delete a driver licence condition
- Change the medical conditions on a licence
- Find an older driver assessor
- Licence holders and the NSW Digital Driver Licence
- Report a patient's medical condition to Transport for NSW
- Report erratic or unsafe driving practices
- Surrender a NSW driver or rider licence voluntarily
Heavy vehicle drivers
If you drive a heavy vehicle classified as multi-combination (MC), you'll need to pass a medical assessment and practical driving test every year from age 70 onwards.
If you drive a heavy vehicle classified as light rigid (LR), medium rigid (MR), heavy rigid (HR) or heavy combination (HC), you must pass an annual:
- medical assessment from age 75 onwards, as well as
- a practical driving test from age 80 onwards.
Notes:
- You must complete the medical assessments and driving tests before your birthday. Transport for NSW will send you a notice by mail eight weeks before.
- Aged driving tests for heavy vehicle licences are conducted by Service NSW only.
- Heavy vehicle drivers can change their licence to a class C (car only) at any time and at no cost. You’ll need to visit a Service NSW Centre to make the change.
Benefits and concessions for pensioners
- Check the Transport for NSW benefits available for pensioners
- Pensioner concessions on vehicle registrations
- Fair Go for Safe Drivers – discounted licence renewal
Mobility parking scheme
- Apply for, replace, or renew a Mobility Parking Scheme permit (individual)
- Apply for an additional Mobility Parking Scheme permit (individual)
- Apply for a Mobility Parking Scheme permit (organisation)
- Apply for an additional Mobility Parking Scheme permit (organisation)
- Apply for a new pensioner refund on a Mobility Parking Scheme permit