HealthLink and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) are introducing a digital version of the DL9 medical certificate used by health professionals to assess patients’ medical fitness to drive.
More than 160,000 DL9 certificates are completed by GPs and other health professionals each year, with the process currently paper-based.
The new digital form will be available through HealthLink and can be launched from within a GP practice management system. Patient details can be automatically populated and completed forms submitted directly to NZTA.
Mandatory fields are intended to reduce incomplete applications, while the form also includes links to guidance for clinical assessments.
Most drivers will no longer need to take a paper DL9 form to a licensing agent.
NZTA head of driving regulation Chris Rodley said moving the certificate online was an important step in modernising the driver licensing process.
“We’re making it easier for health professionals to submit complete, accurate information securely, while also improving the experience for drivers and supporting timely licensing decisions.”
The digital DL9 was piloted for five weeks with four GPs and one workplace health provider in different parts of New Zealand.
HealthLink said feedback from participating GPs had been positive, particularly around time savings, ease of completion and access to relevant guidance.
The online form also allows documents to be attached from the practice management system or desktop, with the completed form saved to the patient file.
HealthLink commercial director David Young said the form had been designed to fit into existing clinical workflows.
“By embedding the form into existing HealthLink workflows, we’re reducing administrative effort while maintaining the clinical integrity of these important assessments,” Mr Young said.
“We’re proud to partner with NZTA to deliver a solution that supports both practices and road safety outcomes.”
Disclaimer: HealthLink and Pulse+IT are both part of Lanas.
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