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I have a sleep disorder. Can I continue to drive?



There are laws in each state and territory as well as information from the national body, Austroads with regards to the laws and responsibilities regarding driving and medical conditions that may impair a person’s capacity to drive. Idiopathic Hypersomnia is not specifically mentioned so it is important that you discuss with your sleep specialist what obligations you may or may not have with regards to the laws that apply in your state.

This is from the Austroads website:

"While many factors contribute to safety on the road, driver health and fitness to drive is an important consideration. Drivers must meet certain medical standards to ensure their health status does not unduly increase their crash risk. Assessing Fitness to Drive, a joint publication of Austroads and the National Transport Commission (NTC), details the medical standards for driver licensing for use by health professionals and driver licensing authorities.The standards are approved by Commonwealth, state and territory transport ministers. The 2016 edition of Assessing Fitness to Drive is effective from 1 October 2016. Click here to be taken to the Austroads, Assessing Fitness to Drive website. Or click here to download the 2016 Assessing Fitness to Drive Information Kit. This kit contains:

  • a general media release

  • frequently asked questions

  • a summary of the key changes resulting from the review

  • Driver Licensing Authority contacts

First published on our original website in 2016

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