Elderly Driving Assessment
Need an elderly driving assessment or refresher driving lesson?
What is an Elderly Driving Assessment?
The NSW Elderly Driving Assessment is a practical driving assessment designed to help confirm that you are still driving safely and confidently. It checks that you:
- understand and follow the road rules
- are able to make safe, sound decisions in everyday traffic conditions
- can operate your vehicle with control and awareness
The assessment typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes and is conducted in areas you are familiar with and usually close to home.
Your Aged Driver Assessor will provide clear and simple directions throughout the drive. You will be assessed on how you manage a range of typical driving situations, including intersections, speed zones, and responding to potential hazards.
This assessment becomes a requirement once you reach a certain age, depending on the type of licence you hold. It helps ensure that you remain safe on the road, both for your benefit and the safety of others.
In NSW, aged driving assessments may apply from age 70, 75 or 85, based on your licence conditions and/or doctors request.
What’s required will depend on your age, the class of licence you hold, and any recommendations from your doctor.
For senior drivers who want to keep their Class C licence and are:
Age 75-79 required if your General Practitioner (GP) recommends it.
Age 85 years or older, you need to sit a Senior Driver Assessment every two (2) years to keep an unrestricted Class C licence.
In NSW, older drivers have licence options and may no longer feel confident driving in all conditions can apply for a modified licence. A modified licence allows you to continue driving within set conditions that suit your current needs and abilities.
These conditions can include driving only within a certain distance from home, during daylight hours, or avoiding major roads. With a modified licence, you don’t need to sit an aged driving test.
Understanding the Difference Between a Service NSW Testing Officer and an Older Driver Assessor
In New South Wales, drivers required to complete an Elderly Driving Assessment have two options available:
- A Testing Officer from Service NSW, or
- An Older Driver Assessor approved by Transport for NSW
Both options assess your ability to drive safely, but there are some important differences in how the assessments are delivered.
Service NSW Testing Officer
A Testing Officer is a government employee based at a Service NSW Centre. Their role includes conducting driving tests for a wide range of licence holders, including older drivers undertaking an Elderly Driving Assessment.
Testing Officers assess your ability to control a vehicle safely, apply road rules correctly, and respond appropriately to common driving situations. Such driving tests require you to attend a NSW Service Centre where your driving test will commence from. These Elderly Driving Assessment are conducted under standard conditions and follow strict regulatory procedures.
Older Driver Assessor
An Older Driver Assessor is typically an accredited driving instructor who has met the requirements set by Transport for NSW to deliver Elderly Driving Assessment to drivers aged 75 and over.
These assessments are designed to be more flexible and are often conducted in your local area, using roads you’re familiar with. Assessors apply the same assessment criteria as Testing Officers and are focused on supporting older drivers to demonstrate safe driving practices in everyday environments.
When booking your Elderly Driving Assessment with an Older Driver Assessor, you may also benefit from the ability to re-sit the assessment as many times as you like if required, provided no serious driving errors are made during your initial assessment.
Both options meet the same regulatory standards, and the choice is yours based on what suits your individual needs.
Advantages of an Older Driver Assessor
Assessments from Home
Older Driver Assessors often offer a more personalised service, including the option to conduct the driving assessment from your home or another location that’s suitable for you.
Familiar Location
Your older driver assessor will not only conduct the assessment from your home, but they will generally also use local roads that you know well. This often helps you feel more relaxed and confident than testing in an unfamiliar area.
Unlimited Attempts
Unlike Service NSW where you only have a maximum of 3 attempts, you can attempt the assessment as many times as you like considering you haven’t committed a serious error on a previous assessment.
Supportive Feedback
Older Age Assessor or
Service NSW Testing Officer
Assessment from Home
with Accredited Driving Instructor
Conducted by a Transport for NSW Accredited Older Driver Assessor (Driving Instructor).
Your Senior Driver Assessment is a 'fee for service'.
You can do as many driving assessments as you like as long as you do not commit a "Serious Fail" based on the test standards.
Assessments are conducted starting at your home and on roads you drive every day in your local area before finishing at your home .
BOOK DRIVING ASSESSMENT
Assessment from Service NSW
with Testing Officer
Conducted by a Service NSW Testing Officer Employee.
Your assessment is completed free of charge.
You can only attempt the driving assessment three (3) times. After 3 failed attempts you will be issued with a modified licence.
Assessments are conducted starting from the Service Centre and through a set route before finishing back at the Servic Centre.
What Happens During the Elderly Driving Assessment?
Before your Elderly Driving Assessment begins, your assessor will take a few moments to speak with you about your driving history, any medical conditions you wish to mention, and how the assessment will be conducted.
They will also carry out a few basic checks to ensure everything is in order. This includes:
• confirming your driver licence is current and valid
• checking that the vehicle you’re using is registered and roadworthy
A quick safety inspection will be completed, which involves checking that your brake lights and indicators are working properly, and that your tyres are in suitable condition for driving.
The drive itself will take place on local roads that are familiar to you. Throughout the assessment, the assessor will provide clear and timely directions.
You will be asked to carry out common driving tasks such as turning at intersections, navigating roundabouts, and selecting safe gaps in traffic. There are no unexpected manoeuvres or complicated test routes.
Safe driving requires a clear understanding of road rules, confident vehicle control, and the ability to make good decisions in everyday traffic.
During your Elderly Driving Assessment, the assessor will observe how well you:
• follow road rules
• manage speed and positioning
• respond to hazards
• make safe decisions at intersections and roundabouts
• control the vehicle smoothly and safely
Please note, assessors do not provide coaching during the assessment. If at any point the situation becomes unsafe, you may be asked to pull over and stop.
The goal of the Elderly Driving Assessment is to ensure you can continue to drive safely and independently on public roads.
What Happens After the Aged Driving Test?
If you Pass
At the end of your Aged Driving Test, your assessor will provide you with immediate feedback and let you know the outcome of your assessment.
If you pass, you’ll be able to retain your licence, and the result will be recorded with Service NSW.
Your assessor will also take the time to discuss areas where you performed well, along with any aspects of your driving that may benefit from further attention or improvement.
If you Don’t Pass
If you do not pass your Aged Driving Test, your assessor will talk you through the results and explain the reasons behind the outcome.
They will:
- review the assessment scoresheet with you
- highlight specific areas where improvement is needed
- offer guidance on next steps, including the option to arrange a refresher lesson and book another assessment when you feel ready
The process is designed to support you in regaining confidence and continuing to drive safely.
You Can Re-Book the Assessment Again
You can re-sit the assessment again however;
- You must ensure that the next assessment date is still within the due date and
- You haven’t committed a serious error in the previous assessment.
If you failed due to a serious error, unfortunately, your drivers licence will be cancelled by Transport for NSW.
A serious error is driving that’s a clear danger to yourself or others.
What is the Assessment Process
Simple online booking and assessment process
CHOOSE YOUR TIME & DATE
Choose a suitable time and date to complete your driving assessment.
BOOK & CONFIRM
You can easily book online or call us on 1300 632 679 to book your assessment.
COMPLETE YOUR ASSESSMENT
Your friendly assessor will complete your driving assessment.