Medical fitness to drive
The rules about being medically fit to drive, and your responsibilities.
You are legally required to let the National Driver Licence Services (NDLS) know if you have any long-term or permanent injury or illness that may affect your ability to drive safely.
Be a responsible driver
it is your responsibility as a driver to:
- take any prescribed medication and manage your condition(s);
- stop driving if any of the medications you are taking for your condition have any side effects that affect your ability to drive, e.g. drowsiness;
- inform the NDLS and your insurance provider of any long-term or permanent injury or illness that may affect your ability to drive safely;
- comply with the requirements of your licence as appropriate including periodic medical reviews;
- get professional advice on your medical fitness to drive if you develop a medical condition during the term of your licence.
Our top five medical queries
When applying for a driving licence or learner permit, you must submit a medical report form if:
• You have certain medical conditions – please see our list of medical conditions
• You are age 75 years or over, or the licence you are renewing expires on the eve of your 75th birthday
• You wish to apply for, renew or add categories to a driving licence or learner permit that includes any group 2 categories (i.e. trucks and buses)
• Your current driving licence or learner permit includes the notation code 101 which indicates that renewal is subject to submission of a medical report
Where a Medical Report is required, it must be completed by a doctor who is on the Register of Medical Practitioners in Ireland.
Download a Medical Report now.
How to apply for a first-time learner permit or driving licence
Yes. You must notify the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) of your medical condition by applying for a change of personal (medical) details. This application must be accompanied by a medical report form completed by your doctor.
View a list of medical conditions for which you must notify the NDLS
More information about Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines
Important: If you’re unsure whether any of these conditions apply to you or have concerns about your medical fitness to drive, please discuss this with your doctor.
How to apply for a change of personal (medical) details
You may be able to apply online If you don’t have the notation code 101 on your driving licence. You will need a public services card and a verified MyGovID account to access our online services and you will need to upload a medical report form completed by your GP.
Download a medical report form now
Alternatively, you can book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre to apply in person. You should download a Medical report form and have it completed by your GP in advance of the appointment.
Please note, we can’t accept requests to change personal/medical details by email or post.
You're not required to submit another eyesight report form unless requested by your doctor, or if you wish to remove a 01 notation on your licence - that is, the requirement to wear corrective lenses when driving.
Learn more about notation codes
An eyesight report form is required with a first-time learner permit application or where you’re exchanging a driving licence issued by a country outside the European Union.
Download an Eyesight Report form now
How to apply online for a first-time learner permit or book an appointment to attend a NDLS centre in person.
Surrendering a driving licence or learner permit on medical grounds
If you’re advised by your doctor to stop driving for a time due to medical conditions, you should surrender your licence or permit to: Medical Fitness - Driver Licensing, Road Safety Authority, Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Please include a short cover note to say that you are surrendering the licence or permit on medical grounds.
Returning to drive
Where you’ve been advised by your doctor to return to driving after a medical condition, you should apply to the NDLS for a change in personal (medical) details. The application must be accompanied by an up-to-date medical report form completed by your doctor confirming your fitness to drive. There is no application fee payable in this case unless it coincides with the renewal of your licence or permit.
Download a medical report form now
How to update your personal (medical) details on a learner permit How to update your personal (medical) details on a driving licence
Please fill in the Contact Form so that we can keep you updated about your query.
Medical fitness to drive is determined by your doctor in line with our Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist or need you to undergo an off-road or on-road driving assessment (ORDA). This is to help them determine your fitness to drive.
If you’re required to undergo an ORDA, you will have to arrange this yourself. Your doctor may be able to recommend a local operator that carries out such assessments.
When a temporary learner permit is needed
If you don’t have a current licence, you may apply to the RSA for a temporary learner permit to facilitate the ORDA. This permit is for the purpose of undertaking the assessment only and is for a limited time of two months. As this is a learner permit, you must be accompanied at all times when driving by a person who has held a full licence for a minimum of two years.
To apply for a temporary learner permit please complete the Contact Form and we will contact you directly.
Other Medical fitness to drive FAQs
Other frequently asked questions on medical fitness.
Medical Fitness to drive guidelines
Slainte Agus Tiomaint Medical Fitness To Drive Guidelines 2022 pdf | 5288 KB
Health and Driving Leaflets
See various leaflets from Diabetes and Driving, Epilepsy Leaflets to Sleep Apnoeia and Driving and Medicines and Driving