Family & Friends of Senior Drivers
Book a refresher driving lesson or senior driving assessment
for a family member or close friend of a senior driver
Family and Friends Can Help an Older Driver
As our loved ones age, ensuring they remain safe and confident on the road becomes a priority. Older Driver Assessments offers an Independent On-Road Driving Assessment designed to provide clear, objective insight into how a senior driver or loved one is managing everyday driving tasks. This service may be requested by family members, friends, allied health professionals, or medical practitioners who want an accurate understanding of current driving performance in real traffic conditions.
Assessments are conducted by qualified driving instructors and Older Driver Assessors approved by Transport for NSW. Each assessment takes place on public roads, typically within familiar local environments, and focuses on observable driving behaviour demonstrated at the time of the drive. The assessment is independent, standardised, and conducted without bias, ensuring observations are consistent and reliable.
In New South Wales, there are specific requirements for drivers as they age to ensure road safety:
Aged 75 years or older who are required to complete a driving assessment at the recommendation of their General Practitioner (GP) or,
Aged 85 years of age with a current unrestricted Class C licence and need to pass a driving assessment every second year.
If you’re concerned about a loved one’s ability to drive safely, arranging an assessment is a proactive way to support their independence while prioritising road safety.
Are you concerned about an older family member or older friend's driving?
We can provide an Independent On-Road Driving Assessment that gives a clear, impartial overview of their fitness to drive. Upon completion of the assessment, you will receive a detailed written report that provides an overall observational performance percentage and structured comments across a range of driving situations.
Family members and friends often arrange aged driving assessments for a variety of reasons. You may choose to book a Senior Driving Assessment for a family member or friend if you have noticed changes in any of the following;
- Decline in their reaction time
- Poor scanning or observation skills
- Poor decision-making skills on the road.
Perhaps they’ve had a near-miss experience, struggled with road rules or expressed concerns about their driving.
Sometimes a formal driving assessment is not the first step you need. Simply opting for an Independent On-Road Driving Assessment is adequate as a final report will provide clear, structured observations supported by an overall performance percentage to support informed discussions about safety and independence. It is a calm, low stress exercise on familiar local roads, with simple tasks like turns at intersections, roundabouts, parking at the shops, choosing safe gaps and keeping safe following distances.
This Independent on-road driving assessment is for guidance purposes only. It does not replace a formal assessment with Transport for New South Wales.
Following completion of the on-road assessment, a detailed written report is provided. The report includes an overall observational performance percentage, along with structured comments across a range of driving situations such as traffic awareness, decision making, hazard response, and consistency. This information offers practical, easy-to-understand insight into current driving behaviour.
The assessment does not provide medical opinions, diagnoses, or licensing decisions. Instead, it provides objective information that can support informed conversations about safety, confidence, independence, and whether further review or support may be appropriate.
When you engage our services, you’re also helping your loved one to make informed decisions about their driving future. Whether that means continuing to drive safely or exploring alternative transport options.
What is the Assessment Process
On the day of your driving assessment
Book a Senior Driving Assessment
Older Driver Assessments (ODA) is the easiest, fastest and most supportive way for senior drivers to book a professional driving assessment in NSW.
A NSW Senior Driver Assessment is a short, practical driving test for senior drivers designed to ensure they can operate a vehicle safely.
It is a straightforward process that assesses key skills such as reaction time, decision-making, and adherence to road rules.
The assessment typically only takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and is required for senior drivers who wish to keep their Class C licence
Older Driver Assessments also allows family members of senior drivers, to book refresher lessons or Senior Driving Assessments on their behalf. All assessors are experienced and qualified driving instructors. In addition, they are also accredited and approved by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
When you book with us, we take care of everything! Apart from providing general information, we also;
- arrange Transport for NSW accredited assessors
- ensure your eligibility through the online Accredited Assessor Reporting System
- offer valuable feedback about your driving assessment
- update the online Accredited Assessor Reporting System
We offer a simplified, accessible and fully supported pathway for completing professional senior driving assessments, with clear communication, trusted guidance and a streamlined booking process from start to finish.
Understanding the Older Driver Assessment in NSW: What Families & Friends Need to Know
In New South Wales (NSW), senior drivers aged 85 and over who wish to retain their unrestricted driver’s licence must pass an Older Driver Assessment. This assessment is a key requirement for maintaining their full driving privileges.
Seniors can take this assessment with:
- A Service NSW Testing Officer – attending a Service NSW Service Centre however are limited to three (3) attempts only or;
- An approved Older Driver Assessor – Assessment is conducted from the seniors home. Unlimited attempts as long as no serious fail occurs.
Why Choose an Older Driver Assessor?
An Older Driver Assessor is an experienced and accredited professional who is approved to conduct aged driving assessments for senior drivers. They can provide a more personalised, supportive, and flexible approach compared to a Testing Officer at Service NSW.
- Refresher Driving Lessons – Older Driver Assessors can offer refresher lessons before the assessment to help seniors regain confidence, improve road rule knowledge, and adjust to any changes in driving habits.
- Patient, Qualified, and Understanding – Our friendly older aged assessors understand the challenges senior drivers face and provide encouragement rather than pressure.
- Unlimited Attempts – Seniors can take the assessment as many times as needed (unless a serious fail occurs), unlike Service NSW’s three-attempt limit.
Key Differences: Older Driver Assessor vs. Service NSW Testing Officer
| Older Driver Assessor | Service NSW Testing Officer |
|---|---|
| Offers refresher lessons | No lessons, only testing |
| Provides support and guidance | Strict pass/fail approach |
| Unlimited assessment attempts (unless a serious fail occurs) | Max of 3 attempts |
| More relaxed, less stressful environment | Formal, unfamiliar testing environment |
No matter what choice you make, the Senior Driver Assessment and Service NSW use the same assessment criteria to assess you.
However, by choosing to book with Older Driver Assessments, seniors have the added benefit of testing from the comfort of their own home. They also have less stress knowing they have unlimited attempts to pass their driving assessment.
