Riders who for medical reasons are unable to wear a helmet now have a new process to follow to obtain an official exemption to the rule.
They will now apply directly to their doctor rather than to VicRoads.
If, under exceptional circumstance, a registered medical practitioner believes that because of a disability or medical condition, a person is unable to wear a bicycle helmet, then an exemption certificate may be issued.
A registered medical practitioner, with full knowledge of their patient’s history, will issue the medical certificate to a patient exempting them from the requirement to wear a bicycle helmet.
The medical certificate must be carried by the person to whom it applies while riding on, or being taken as a passenger on, a bicycle.
The certificate must be produced by the person when requested to do so by a police officer or authorised person.
Existing permits remain until their expiry date. New requests will be required to follow the process via a registered medical practitioner.