Improving health screening for heavy vehicle drivers

The NTC regularly reviews and updates the Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines (the AFTD guidelines). The AFTD guidelines ensure medical standards reflect current medical knowledge and practices.  

Australia’s transport ministers have now asked us to undertake a review of options to improve the diagnosis of sleep apnoea, diabetes and cardiac risk levels in heavy vehicle drivers. 

Findings may be incorporated into the next review of the AFTD Guidelines later this year.

We have engaged with the heavy vehicle industry, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, state and territory governments, driver licensing authorities, unions, and medical professionals to develop a discussion paper.

This discussion paper provides data and evidence on health screening for commercial vehicle drivers, focusing on cardiac risk, diabetes, and sleep disorders. 

It also outlines potential options for improving screening practices and seeks stakeholder input to help shape future approaches.

Following the consultation period, the NTC will analyse key data, costings, and stakeholder feedback to inform recommendations for Australia’s transport ministers.

You can submit your feedback via our online form below or upload a written submission in response to the discussion paper.

Submissions close on Friday 9 May 2025.
 

To support the consultation, we are hosting two webinars:

• For medical professionals: Thursday, 3 April, 2–3 pm: Register here
• For operators and drivers: Tuesday, 8 April, 2–3 pm – Register here

These sessions will provide further details about the consultation process and answer key questions.
 

We have established a Heavy Vehicle Health Advisory Group to review proposed options, as well as three working groups focused on cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and sleep disorders.  

The advisory group includes representatives from all Australian governments, driver licensing authorities, the heavy vehicle regulator, the heavy vehicle industry, unions, academia and medical professionals.  

Where relevant, findings of the review will be considered as part of the next review of the AFTD guidelines for commercial drivers scheduled for 2025-27.

• Heavy Vehicle Health Advisory Group 
• cardiovascular conditions working group, including the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand  
• diabetes working group, including the Australian Diabetes Society and Diabetes Australia  
• sleep disorders working group, including the Australasian Sleep Association and Institute for Breathing and Sleep; and
• the community.