On this page: Bus driver licensing | Assessing fitness to drive | Factors affecting fitness to drive | Medical standards for assessing fitness to drive | Bus operator responsibilities
If you are a bus driver in Victoria, you must be licensed to drive and hold Driver Accreditation. This affects how your fitness to drive is assessed.
Bus driver licensing
In Victoria, the responsibility for issuing, renewing, suspending or cancelling a person’s driver licence lies with the State’s Driver Licensing Authority, VicRoads. Licensing decisions are based on a full consideration of relevant factors relating to health and driving performance.
The VicRoads website contains more information on licensing.
In addition, to drive commercial passenger vehicles anywhere in Victoria, you must hold Driver Accreditation/Driver Certificate through the Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD). A commercial passenger vehicle is any motor vehicle that is used or intended to be used for carrying passengers for hire or reward. As well as taxis and hire cars, commercial passenger vehicles include:
- Route, tour and charter buses
- Wedding vehicles
- Tour vehicles
- Other special purpose vehicles
Assessing fitness to drive
The Driver Accreditation/Driver Certificate regime includes a medical assessment by a registered medical practitioner.
More information about the Driver Accreditation regime and medical assessments can be viewed at the VTD website.Factors affecting fitness to drive
If you are a bus driver, there are a number of medical conditions that may affect your ability to perform your work safely. Some of these include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Vision impairment
- Mental illness
It is important that you advise your medical professional that you hold or seek to hold a heavy vehicle licence and that you see your doctor regularly so that any conditions can be diagnosed and managed. Medical standards for assessing fitness to drive
The Austroads website contains comprehensive information about fitness to drive and the medical standards that apply. You can also download Assessing Fitness to Drive from the Tools and Downloads box on this page.
Bus operator responsibilities
Accredited bus operators must have in place written documentation (eg. procedures, inspection forms) to cover the safety management aspects of their business. Included in this system should be documentation about how the bus operator is ensuring that all drivers hold current licenses and certificates (including fitness to drive certification).
PTSV conducts audits of bus operator systems to ensure they are complying with relevant safety laws.