Step 1: See Low Vision Optometry for an assessment and medical form

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Most people (especially is your case is on the complex side) will travel from all over Australia to see Dr Oberstein at UNSW Optometry clinic in Sydney as she did her PhD in bioptic driving. Contact: https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health/our-schools/optometry. If you cannot travel to Sydney and you can find a low vision optometrist in your area who is willing to learn through professional guidance from Dr Oberstein.

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Other low vision clinicians you can visit include:

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Victoria: Eyes On Southgate W: eyeson.com.au

Kurt Mechkaroff, BscOptom, Masters Optom, PG Ocular therapies, Fellow ACO 

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Australian Capital Territory: UC Optometry Clinic W: https://www.canberra.edu.au/health-clinics/clinics-on-offer/optometry

Mei Ying Boon PhD Associate Professor, Discipline of Optometry and Vision Science University of Canberra, 

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Queensland: Special Eyes Vision Services W: www.specialeyesvision.com.au
Dr Ursula White, Optometrist / Director 

Step 2: Join BDA social media to get support for your journey 

Locate our socials at the bottom of the page or email us: biopticdriversaus@gmail.com - talk to others about how they went their the journey. It won't be the same for everyone and you could get tips about how to overcome any barriers you may face along the way.

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Are you a parent looking into it for your kids? Check out How Bioptics Work Page and on the Pages menu this and other material: Preparing your visually impaired child for their future - Distance vision devices, education, driving (2022)​

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Step 3: Submit medical conditions form with learner application form and following state or territory processes

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If the optometrists confirms you are a candidate for bioptic driving they will give you a medical form. That form will contain receommendations for conditions in your licence such as 'you must wear your bioptic at all times', 'no night driving', 'drive only within a 50km radios of your home'. You attached that to the learner application form in your state or territory. You follow the usual processes as everyone else in your state or territory. You will order your bioptic witih glasses through your optometrist and come back for a fitting once it arrives in Australia. Depending on your eye condition you may also have tints added.

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The low vision optometry will give you information about how to use your bioptic for everyday activities and how to use it differently for driving. You must practice the exercises given.

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Step 4: See Orientation & Mobility Specialist for skills of visual scanning and bioptic use 

The orientation and mobility specialists teaches you strategies on how to your vision and will give you exercies such as 'bouncing the ball', 'scanning curbside to curbside' for your 'carrier lens' vision or the vision you use to look through your glasses. The will also give you exerices to learn how to 'spot' through the bioptic to become proficient to less then 1/2 of a second but usually people start with 1-2 seconds. These exercises will including sitting, standing, walking ('on foot'), in a car or public transport with the O&M or friends and family as a 'passenger in car'. See examples of the process in the below presentation 'Role of COMS'.

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Step 5: Work with OT Driving Instructor or Driving Instructor to learn to drive 

Find an Occupational Therapy Driving Instructor or Driving Instructor (preferrable one with training in first responder or advance safety skills) to undertake the usualy learner driver program in your state or territoty. 

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Educaiton for OTDI and driving instructors can be seen in the below presentation 'Role of COMS' in the section that covers Advanced Teaching Skills.

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Step 6: Get your licence and drive! 

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If you pass your state or territory progressive licencing process.