Frequently Asked Questions

In NSW, once you turn 85 Transport for NSW requires a Senior Driving Assessment. This assessment ensures older drivers can continue to drive safely on NSW roads. After 85 years old, every 2 years a Senior Driver Licence renewal is mandatory in NSW.

The Aged Driving Test in NSW also known as an Older Driver Assessment is a practical on-road driving assessment. It is required for some older drivers to continue holding an unrestricted NSW driver licence, depending on age, medical fitness and licence type.

No. From age 85 onwards, a practical Senior Driving Test in NSW is required. With a clean medical, Transport for NSW mandates assessments by an External Senior Driving Assessor. Older Driver Assessments cannot be substituted with medical reports alone.

No. All Senior Driving Tests in NSW follow the same road safety standards. Assessors are trained to work with older drivers, maintaining patience, clarity and fairness during the Assessments for Older Drivers.

On-road driving tests are mandatory from age 85 in NSW. With a clean medical, Transport for NSW then mandates an assessment by a Senior Driving Assessor every 2 years. There is no Maximum Driving Age in NSW.

A typical senior driving assessment NSW takes 15–20 minutes. During this time, the External Senior Driving Assessor evaluates lane position, scanning, intersection judgement and speed choice.

The External Senior Driving Assessor will start the test at your home and finish back at your home. This approach reduces stress for senior drivers.

Yes. Your vehicle must be registered, insured and roadworthy as per Transport for NSW requirements. Using your own car improves confidence during your driving assessment.

Yes, but you must still perform physical checks. Over-reliance on technology may affect your 85-year-old driving test result in NSW.

Common mistakes during senior driving assessments in NSW include:

• Rolling stops

• Hesitation at intersections

• Poor lane positioning

• Incomplete scanning

• Incorrect decision making

Your Assessor should have his/her “Physical Accredited Licence” with them at all times whilst professionally testing and/or assessing.

My Instructors Licence Number is 008079

• Ignoring stop signs or red lights

• Dangerous give-way errors

• Assessor intervention for safety reasons

These are critical errors in senior driving tests.

Yes, but keep conversation minimal. Focus on driving during your 85-year-old driving assessment.

Ask the External Senior Driving Assessor the instruction. This is allowed in all senior driving tests.

Assessors expect nerves. They look at how senior drivers manage stress and focus; these are understandable during a senior driving assessment.

Yes. Local practice improves confidence and reduces common mistakes in senior driving assessments.

• NSW driver licence

• Glasses (if required)

• Calm and focused mindset

Proper preparation improves outcomes in the 85-year-old driving tests.

You may be allowed to re-test, sometimes with conditions for older drivers. Transport for NSW provides guidance on senior driving assessments and conditional licences.

Yes. Conditional licences in NSW may include:

• Daylight-only driving

• Local-area driving

• Modified licences are either 5km, 10km or 15km radius (not diameter) from your main residence and depends on individual cases.

• Practise in your local area

• Drive your son, daughter or a friend around and get their opinion.

• Drive smooth, steady, and observant

• Following these tips improves success in senior driving tests NSW, particularly for older drivers in NSW