the driver's handbook

d R I V E R S A N d L I C E N S I N G
If you have a condition of:
• Diabetes, epilepsy, psychiatric illness, severe coronary or
cardiovascular disease, it may be necessary to have a Medical
Certificate completed by a Medical Practitioner, or in some
circumstances, a specialist report may be required.
• Arthritis, coronary disease, hypertension, limb disability
or poor eyesight, it may be necessary to have a Medical and/
or Eyesight Certificate completed by a Medical Practitioner.
When eyesight readings do not meet the minimum standard
unaided, but are satisfactory while wearing spectacles or contact
lenses, the permit or licence will be endorsed so that spectacles
or contact lenses must be worn at all times when driving. An
Eyesight Certificate is required where the applicant has had eye
surgery or has lost sight in one eye.
If you think you may need to submit medical evidence, the appropriate
Medical and Eyesight Certificates are available from any Customer
Service Centre.
In the majority of cases, where a person is required to take
medication for the treatment of a condition that can affect their fitness
to drive, a Medical Certificate will need to be produced every year.
Drivers aged 70 and over
Drivers aged 70 years and over must undergo a medical and eyesight
examination each year in order to continue to drive. If there is any
doubt about a driver’s fitness to drive, the Medical Practitioner may
also recommend that the driver undertake a practical driving test
regardless of the class of licence held by the driver. Drivers aged 85
and over must undertake a practical driving assessment every year if
they hold any class of licence except a class C (Car).
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104 The Driver’s Handbook
Photographs for permits and licences
All applicants seeking a learner’s permit, a driver’s licence, a renewal
or replacement permit or licence must be photographed before the
permit or licence is issued.
Applicants who live in the metropolitan area, near metropolitan area,
or in a country area where there is a Customer Service Centre, must
attend the Customer Service Centre personally with their application
form for the photograph to be taken.
However, selected Australia Post Offices act as agents for DTEI in the
preparation of photo licenses and are able to process an application
for renewal of a driver’s licence (provided the licence has not expired
for more than 90 days and the renewal notice and appropriate
evidence of identity is produced).
Where it is not practical for applicants to attend a Customer Service
Centre or selected Australian Post Office, they will need to forward their
application with the appropriate fee to a Customer Service Centre. The
relevant documents will be forwarded to the applicant together with a
notice outlining the location of Australia Post office ‘photo points’.
For a list of Australian Post offices see:
www.sa.gov.au/photopoints
Conversion of an interstate or overseas driver’s licence
The holder of an interstate or overseas driver’s licence must obtain a
South Australian driver’s licence:
• in the case of an interstate licence holder, within three months of
residing in South Australia
• in the case of a foreign licence holder, who becomes a permanent
resident or citizen of Australia, within three months of becoming a
resident of South Australia.