Updated Queensland TMR medical certificate process and OQNT’s ongoing advocacy

Optometry Queensland Northern Territory (OQNT) recently met with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to seek clarification on the changes to the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver Form F3712 and to reinforce the critical role of optometrists in assessing visual fitness to drive.  

Background – what has changed? 

TMR has confirmed that while the underlying medical certification and visual guideline requirements have not changed, the workflow and structure of the forms have changed. 

Previously: 

• The combined General Practitioner (GP) and Eyesight Assessment were a single form.
• The form listed: “If your treating doctor thinks it is necessary, or the AFTD requires it, you may be required to be assessed by an appropriate specialist before your treating doctor is able to provide TMR with an opinion about whether you meet the medical criteria for a driver licence. If your treating doctor has referred you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist, Part 3 of this form must be completed by your treating optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses when driving, take these with you to your appointment.”

Now: 

• The Eyesight Assessment component (formerly Part 3 in the previous form) has now been shortened. into a Driver Health Specialist Assessment Form F3195 which is its own standalone document.
• The GP Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver process (Form F3712) lists: “Book a longer appointment with your doctor to complete a medical assessment in the medical details part of this form. If required, your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as an optometrist for advice before completing the medical details section”.
• Optometrists will continue to provide supporting vision assessments when requested.

The new forms and process 

TMR has introduced an updated Driver Health Specialist Assessment Form F3195, which is to be used by optometrists, specialists and allied health professionals to support the GP’s overall medical fitness-to-drive determination. 

However, the ‘Part 3 – Eyesight Assessment’ from the previous certificate was not carried across in full. This initially left no structured space for optometrists to record essential vision findings.  

Following our advocacy, TMR has now committed to reinstating and improving the ‘Eyesight Assessment’ section within Form F3195. This is a significant win, as it ensures that optometrists and ophthalmologists will have a clear, purpose-built framework for reporting vision related changes, maintaining the visibility and importance of optometry in the driving-assessment pathway 

TMR has advised that the updated Form F3195 will be available on the Healthy to Drive website in the coming weeks 

Our concerns with the new medical certificate (F3712) 

While enhancements to the ‘Eyesight Assessment’ within the specialist form is a positive step, we have significant concerns regarding the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (F3712). 

The issue: 

The new form does not contain any place for GPs to record basic visual acuity or document a screening eyesight test and, at present, the upskilling of GPs to know when to refer to optometrists and what they are committing to when they sign off a driver for vision is lacking 

Why this matters: 

• Visual acuity is fundamental to assessing driving safety. 
• Its omission may result in missed eye disease (cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma) and unreported visual field loss. 
• Patients may assume no eyesight check is needed, reducing referrals for appropriate optometric assessment. 
• We also noted that the new form was piloted in North Queensland without consultation with optometrists and without clear communication on how the eyesight section would operate. 

We emphasised that GPs and optometrists play complementary roles and that optometrists remain the most qualified to assess visual acuity and visual fields for driving. We look forward to working with TMR to understand the extent of the TMR planned GP upskilling for driving vision referral pathways.  

These concerns were presented in our meeting with TMR, where we highlighted that the lack of a visual acuity section in F3712 is the most significant change affecting driver vision care. We also outlined real-world examples from our members showing that optometrists routinely detect vision unsafe for driving that may otherwise be missed by another health professional, and emphasised the need for strong, visible referral pathways, particularly for drivers aged 75+, who are at higher risk of vision impairment. 

We recommended that TMR improve the GP form to ensure vision concerns are consistently identified, either by reinstating a visual acuity entry or incorporating a clear prompt guiding GPs to refer patients to an optometrist when any uncertainty about visual acuity, visual fields, or eye health arises. 

Our wins so far 

Despite concerns, our advocacy has already delivered meaningful outcomes: 

• Eyesight Assessment reinstated in the QF3195 Specialist Form (a direct result of our representation). 
• Formal invitation for OQNT to have direct involvement with the Medical Condition Reporting (MCR) Working Group Medical Condition Reporting (MCR) Working Group, giving us influence in future form design and policy. 

TMR will continue to accept previous versions of the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver during the transition period, helping to ensure a smooth adjustment for the community and health professionals.  

Next steps – advocacy in progress 

We look forward to continuing discussions with TMR to: 

• Reinstate a more comprehensive defined vision section in Form F3712; and/or 
• Add a GP referral prompt for when visual acuity, visual fields, or suspected eye disease require optometric assessment. 

This is now a priority advocacy item, as a standardised, reliable vision-checking mechanism within GP assessments is essential for road safety.  

We will collaborate with the Australian Medical Association Queensland to strengthen relationships between optometrists and general practitioners, support ongoing education about the scope and capacity of optometrists in patient care, and clarify the stringent requirements involved when certifying eyesight for driving. 

Our commitment 

OQNT will continue to: 

• Advocate strongly for the reinstatement of vision assessment requirements in GP forms. 
• Champion the essential role of optometrists in assessing visual fitness to drive. 
• Work with TMR, AMA, and the National Transport Commission to strengthen national standards and referral guidelines. 
• Continue pushing for evidence-based reforms, including mandatory eye examinations for drivers aged 75+. 

We are committed to ensuring that driver vision assessments in Queensland remain safe, consistent, and clinically sound and that optometrists remain at the heart of this process.  

We will continue to update members as this work progresses. 

For further information, please contact our Advocacy team at policy@optometry.org.au.