Getting around without a car

Find out how to keep your independence and stay mobile without a car.

If you’re reducing your driving or choose the option to surrender, or give up your licence, there are car-free transport options available to keep you connected with your community. There are also a number of services available to reduce your need to travel. 

Reducing your need to travel

Many goods and services can now be delivered to your door, including:

• Groceries from the supermarket or online grocer
• Books, magazines and audio-visual material from your local library
• Prescription medicine from your pharmacy
• Meals on Wheels from your local council.

To find out more about getting goods and services delivered, visit myagedcare.gov.au (External link)  

Alternative transport options

When you need to get out and about, there are car-free transport options, including:

• Travelling with family, friends and neighbours
• Walking or cycling - find out about more about cyclist safety and pedestrian safety
• Motorised mobility devices
• Public transport (External link)
• Community transport services (External link)
• Taxi services (External link).

Find out more about public and community transport services below.

Discounts and subsidies

If you have a concession card, you could be eligible for a discount or subsidy for your alternative transport, including:

• Subsidised taxi fares through the NDIS
• A Mobility Allowance (External link) from the Department of Human Services
• Government services through myagedcare.gov.au (External link) 

Find out more about community transport, motorised mobility devices and travel subsidies at myagedcare.gov.au (External link)

Travellers aid

For extra help getting around, you can access a range of free and low-cost services from Travellers Aid Australia, including:

• Emergency assistance
• Companion services
• Personal care while travelling
• Mobility equipment
• Information and advice.

Find out more at Travellers Aid Australia (External link).

Get support

There is support available to help you with this important life transition. Your doctor will be able to provide you with a list of local community health and council services. 

Community transport

Community transport provides affordable door-to-door transport for members of the community via cars and buses. 

Find out about community transport near you through:

• your local council (External link).

Public transport

Get around by bus, train or tram using Victoria’s public transport system. To plan your journey or find out more about timetables, routes and tickets, visit Public Transport Victoria (PTV) (External link).  

If you’ve never travelled on public transport or it’s been a while since you used it, plan your trip first with a friend or family member who knows how to use the system.

Travel concessions
You may be eligible for concession prices and some free travel across Victoria’s public transport system if you have a:

• Seniors Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold or White Card.

Find out more about concession fares (External link).

You may be entitled to free travel on public transport if you:

• are legally blind
• depend on a scooter or wheelchair to get around outside the home
• are an eligible war veteran
• have a permanent disability that stops you from using myki
• hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card embossed with EDA or TPI.

Find out more about free travel passes.

For more on Getting around without a car, read our information update [PDF 85Kb].