For 20-years, Clare Ridgway has had depression — and a Victorian driver's licence.
So when she found out she had to notify VicRoads about her mental health condition in January this year, it came as a big surprise.
"I was shocked," she said.
The South Melbourne mum and business owner was told about the legal requirement when she went into VicRoads to renew her boat licence.
She was asked to list her medications and put down an antidepressant.
When a VicRoads staff member asked what the medication was for, and Ms Ridgway said depression, she was told she needed a letter from her doctor to continue driving.
"I've got major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder, none of those things have an impact on my ability to drive," Ms Ridgway said.
"It felt like an invasion of privacy."
What are the rules?
All drivers in Victoria are legally required to advise VicRoads of any illness, disability, medical condition, injury or medication that may impair their driving ability.
The VicRoads website said this included "serious psychiatric conditions" like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and manic-depressive disorder.
"When we receive information about a medication or medical condition that may impact a person's ability to drive safely we have an obligation to look into it further," a Department of Transport spokesperson said.
"It isn't about taking a licence away, it may mean further advice from a medical practitioner is needed or that conditions are put on a licence, such as a requirement to wear glasses."
Licence suspended
Ms Ridgway went to her GP to fill out the VicRoads form, however it was not correctly submitted.
Months later, on November 2, her husband was pulled over while driving a car registered in Ms Ridgway's name and told her licence had been suspended.
Ms Ridgway said she was not notified.
"I was in tears [when I found out] … I've got a perfect driving record – I felt like a criminal," she said.
She immediately went to VicRoads and resubmitted the medical form, but was told it could take 28 days to be processed.
In the meantime, she was not allowed to drive.
"It's had a big impact on my life – my husband has had to take time off work," she said.
"I've got a six-year-old I've got to get to school and I've got to get to work."
Her licence has just been reinstated and she is speaking out to warn other drivers.
"Depression is so common these days, particularly after the pandemic … people are struggling — it's something people might not be aware of," she said.
Ms Ridgway said her GP thought it was "ridiculous" she needed to submit a medical form so she could drive with depression.
Do I need to report?
The Department of Transport said not everyone with depression needed to notify VicRoads.
"Depression and medications can affect people in different ways and sometimes impact a person's ability to drive safely," a spokesperson said.
"It's important to speak with your doctor about your fitness to drive or contact VicRoads if you're unsure."
