Protect workers behind the wheel – and those they come across – with a Fitness to Drive medical assessment from Humanomics.

Under the Assessing Fitness to Drive 2012 standards published by the National Transport Commission and Austroads, all commercial drivers in Australia must be certified as medically ‘fit to drive’ by an accredited health professional.

At Humanomics, we provide efficient and thorough commercial driver medicals for your job specifics. Our Fitness to Drive, Trucksafe, and Dangerous Goods driver medicals will confirm whether your workers’ health is a safety risk on the road.

By identifying and addressing physical, cognitive or behavioural conditions that may affect driving ability, we can help you to ensure employees get home safely.

Importance of ensuring employees’ fitness to drive

Commercial driver medical assessments not only keep our roads safe, but benefit your business by:

  • Improving worker wellbeing and performance
  • Meeting Health & Safety goals
  • Reducing WorkCover Claims and insurance fees
  • Minimising the risk of absenteeism after injury
  • Preventing accidents and maintaining a positive brand image

Commercial driver medicals

Fitness To Drive medical

Taxi drivers, public transport drivers, couriers and truck drivers are all required to undergo Fitness To Drive medicals. This assessment identifies any health conditions and treatments that may harm a driver’s sensory, cognitive, or motor function whilst driving.

Dangerous Goods medical

This medical is required for any drivers transporting over 500 litres or kilograms of hazardous items, including toxic or oxidising substances and flammable liquids, gases or solids. Similar to above, this assessment focuses on medical conditions and treatments that may impact the ability to drive safely.

Once these medicals are complete, our specialist practitioner will provide a ‘Fitness to Drive’ Report to be submitted as part of your worker’s drivers accreditation.

Health conditions that affect safe driving

  • Musculoskeletal conditions
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Neurological disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Sleep disorders
  • Blackouts
  • Diabetes
  • Vision impairments
  • Substance misuse or abuse

Conditional licenses

If our assessment reveals a relevant medical condition, your driver must declare this finding with the relevant authority. This may result in the issuing of a conditional licence that permits driving only under certain terms. For instance, wearing contact lenses to correct poor vision.

In other circumstances, drivers may be required to undertake regular medical reviews and submit results to the Driver Licensing Authority. Humanomics has the experience and expertise to provide periodic assessments for these workers.

Frequently asked questions

Who needs to undertake a fitness to drive assessment?

  • Drivers holding or applying for the following licence classes: MR (Medium Rigid), HR (Heavy Rigid), HC (Heavy Combination) or MC (Multi-Combination).
  • Drivers authorised or applying for an authority to transport public passengers.
  • Drivers authorised or applying for an authority to transport dangerous goods.
  • Other drivers who must meet the certification criteria of an authorising body or industry standards, such as members of Trucksafe.

What are the medical requirements for truck drivers?

Truck drivers must meet strict medical requirements when it comes to health factors that could pose a significant risk to road safety, including sleep disorders, substance abuse and vision impairments.

Visit the Austroads website for more information.

How often should a commercial drivers medical be conducted?

Commercial driver medicals must be completed every three years for drivers under age 50 and annually for those over age 50.

Commercial drivers holding a class MC licence or living with certain health conditions must undergo more frequent medical reviews. Contact Humanomics to learn more about your drivers’ specific requirements.