Australia is entering one of its most significant road-safety reform years in decades. Beginning 2026, a coordinated overhaul of driving rules across states and territories is reshaping how licence renewals work, how older drivers are medically assessed, and how distracted driving is penalised.
These changes follow rising crash rates involving driver distraction, increased fatalities linked to mobile phone use, and a growing population of senior motorists requiring additional safety oversight.
The new rules aim to modernise driver fitness assessments, strengthen penalties, and ensure safer vehicles on the road as Australia transitions toward a more technologically advanced mobility environment.
Australia Driving Laws
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Mandatory medical & vision assessments for drivers aged 60+ |
| Distracted Driving Penalties | Fines commonly AUD 500–1,000 + demerit points |
| Licence Renewal Changes | More documentation; refresher tests for selected groups |
| Vehicle Safety Requirements | States expanding mandates for safety-tech-equipped vehicles |
| Goal | Reduce fatalities, modernise road safety, protect senior drivers |
| Post Category | Finance / Public Policy |
| Official Website | myGov & state transport portals |
New Regulations for Older Drivers in 2026
One of the most impactful changes is the introduction of more frequent medical and visual fitness checks for drivers aged 60 and above. While some states previously required annual assessments starting at 75 or 80, the 2026 reforms harmonise requirements to begin earlier due to rising concerns about age-related impairments.
Key Requirements for Senior Drivers
- Regular medical assessments evaluating physical and cognitive fitness
- Mandatory vision examinations to assess clarity, peripheral vision, and night-driving capability
- Specialist medical reviews for drivers with chronic or progressive conditions
- Conditional licences possible for drivers requiring restrictions such as daylight-only driving
These changes are not designed to remove independent mobility but to ensure safer decision-making on increasingly busy roads. With Australia’s senior population rapidly growing, road authorities aim to proactively reduce avoidable accidents associated with declining eyesight, medication effects, and slower reaction times.
Impaired and Distracted Driving: Stricter Penalties for 2026
Mobile phone distraction has become one of Australia’s most frequent contributors to road trauma. The 2026 laws respond with stricter penalties and expanded enforcement, including AI-powered mobile phone detection cameras.
Major Penalty Updates
- Fines commonly exceeding AUD 500 for holding or touching a device
- Higher penalties for repeat offences, including licence suspensions
- Demerit point increases across most states
- Prohibitions covering:
- Texting or typing on a device
- Holding a phone at traffic lights
- Video calling
- Browsing apps or social media while the vehicle is moving
Authorities emphasise that distracted driving now carries consequences similar to drink-driving and speeding because the risk profile has become comparable. The message for 2026 is clear: hands off the phone or face penalties.
Licence Renewal Process Overhauled
The 2026 reforms modernise the renewal system to ensure all licence holders maintain up-to-date knowledge and meet current road-safety standards.
Updated Renewal Requirements
- Additional identity and residency documentation during the renewal process
- Mandatory refresher courses for drivers in selected age groups or risk categories
- Knowledge tests or practical assessments for those demonstrating unsafe driving patterns
- Medical fitness verification for drivers with conditions affecting mobility, cognition, or vision
By tightening these requirements, authorities aim to reduce accidents caused by outdated driving habits and ensure that motorists remain informed on modern road rules, including electric vehicle safety, lane-keeping laws, and updated mobile-phone regulations.
Other Important 2026 Driving Law Changes
Alongside medical and renewal reforms, several new rules and expectations apply from August 2025 onward.
Key Additional Changes
- Mandatory health monitoring for drivers aged 60+
- Expanded distracted-driving detection technology
- More rigorous licence renewal examinations
- Vehicle safety features increasingly mandated in states such as NSW, VIC, SA and WA
- Examples include:
- Lane-departure warning
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Collision-avoidance systems
- Reversing cameras
- Examples include:
As more states adopt uniform requirements, drivers purchasing new vehicles may find that certain safety technologies are compulsory for registration.
Why These Reforms Matter in 2026
The driving law overhaul is driven by evolving road-safety challenges:
- Australia continues to record a rise in distraction-related fatalities.
- Senior drivers represent a growing proportion of licence holders.
- Modern vehicles and roads require updated driver knowledge.
- Medical and cognitive decline can significantly impact reaction times and hazard perception.
The laws are structured to increase accountability, reduce preventable crashes, and ensure safer mobility for ageing drivers while improving overall public road safety.
Goals of the 2026 Reforms
- Reduce deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads
- Encourage responsible phone usage behind the wheel
- Ensure medical fitness for senior drivers
- Improve vehicle safety through technology
- Strengthen ongoing driver education
These measures address both current and emerging risk factors, making roads safer for drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Conclusion
Australia’s driving law reforms for 2026 represent a major nationwide shift in how road safety is regulated and enforced. With stricter medical checks for older drivers, stronger distracted-driving penalties, updated renewal processes, and growing safety-technology requirements, these measures place responsibility and safety at the forefront.