Older drivers beware: don’t get caught out like I did
(Posted on behalf of Ian Pryor)
While on an extended trip to Queensland, my licence fell due and I needed a doctor’s certificate for fitness to hold a motor vehicle licence. This is a warning to older drivers like me.
To drive back to my own town and doctor would have required a minimum of four days’ travel plus fuel. Then return. So I visited a doctor’s surgery to obtain a certificate of fitness to drive. Well, I was charged $120. Plus I had to undergo an eyesight test. Than I had to touch my toes, stand on one leg, squat down on my hunches and waddle without falling over.
Fortunately I was very fit as I had been fossicking for sapphires. So I passed. But a warning to other travellers – do not travel interstate when your yearly licence will fall due.
Have you been caught out? Have you been travelling for an extended time and forgotten to renew your licence? Is re-testing every year too much?
My Sister in Victoria who is going on 82 in September said they never have to do a Fitness Test to hold a Driver's License. Here in N.S.W. we have to do the Eye Test and a Doctor's examination, but never had to stand on one leg and do the Hokey Pokey. Plus the eye test is free. Unfortunately this has to be done every year now .