If you plan to get a licence, drive or ride after you've turned 70 years of age, use this guide to find out about requirements and options. You can also find various benefits available to older drivers.
What you need to keep driving
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:
- Transport for NSW should send you a medical assessment notice by mail 8 weeks before your birthday. The notice will tell you:
- what type of doctor or specialist you need to see
- the due date
- whether you'll also need to sit a driving test.
- If you need to sit the driving test you must do so before your birthday.
- You can practise before taking the test with a driving instructor or older driver assessor.
To book an older driver driving test or for questions, call 13 22 13 or visit a Service NSW Centre.
Motorcycle riders
To book a rider (R class) practical driving test will depend on if you live in a declared area (where rider training is available) or undeclared area (where rider training is not available).
If you live where:
- rider training is available, contact your nearest Rider Training Provider and ask for an Aged MOST (Motorcycle Operator Skills Test).
- rider training is not available, call 13 22 13 or visit a Service NSW Centre to book an Aged Rider Kerbside Test.
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.
Note:
- Transport for NSW should send you an assessment notice by mail 8 weeks before your birthday.
- 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.
Related transactions and information for older drivers
- Apply for a learner driver licence
- 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
- Apply for a restricted journey licence
- Change, add or delete a driver licence condition
- Change the medical conditions on a licence
- Checklist: What assessments do I need?
- Find an older driver assessor
- Getting a medical assessment for Fitness to drive
- Older driver and rider assessments
- 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
Benefits and concessions for pensioners
- Check the Transport for NSW benefits available for pensioners
- Pensioner concessions on vehicle registrations
Mobility parking scheme
If you have a medical condition or disability that affects your walking or vision, you may be eligible for a NSW Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit. The permit lets you park in disability parking spaces and access certain concessions.
- Apply for, replace, or renew a Mobility Parking Scheme permit (individual)
- Apply for an additional Mobility Parking Scheme permit (individual)
- Apply for a new pensioner refund on a Mobility Parking Scheme permit
Special mobility vehicles
A Special Mobility Vehicle (SMV) is a vehicle that a person with a disability can operate from their wheelchair.