What your Epworth Sleepiness Scale score means
A simple guide to ESS scores in driver and rail medicals
Medically reviewed by Dr Peter Aldridge
Chief Medical Officer, Assist Group
WorkCover-accredited Medical Practitioner – Hazardous Substances
40 years' experience in Industrial and Occupational Medicine
Last reviewed: October 2026
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a short questionnaire that measures how likely you are to doze off during everyday activities. Scores run from 0 to 24, and a score of 11 or more suggests excessive daytime sleepiness. This guide is for commercial drivers, rail workers and employers who come across the ESS in a work medical.
What is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale?
Dr Murray Johns developed the ESS in 1990 and named it after Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, where he set up the Epworth Sleep Centre in 1988.
The questionnaire asks you to rate your usual chance of dozing in eight everyday situations on a scale of 0 to 3. The eight ratings add up to a total score out of 24.
The ESS is copyrighted, so your doctor uses the official, licensed version.
What does your ESS score mean?
Score bands from the official ESS website:
| ESS score | What it means |
|---|---|
| 0 to 5 | lower normal daytime sleepiness |
| 6 to 10 | higher normal daytime sleepiness |
| 11 to 12 | mild excessive daytime sleepiness |
| 13 to 15 | moderate excessive daytime sleepiness |
| 16 to 24 | severe excessive daytime sleepiness |
In Assessing Fitness to Drive, Austroads notes that a score of 16 or more may be linked to a higher crash risk.
A high score doesn't diagnose a sleep disorder. It tells your doctor that more questions or tests may be needed.
Book Your Commercial Vehicle Driver Medical Today for Fast Results, Australia-Wide
Book a commercial vehicle driver medical today by phoning our medical reception in your location by CLICKING HERE, or submit your details in the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Why the ESS matters for commercial drivers
Commercial driver medicals in Australia follow Assessing Fitness to Drive, the national medical standards published by Austroads and the National Transport Commission.
Austroads notes that sleep disorders have been found to increase the rate of crashes by seven times compared with drivers who don't have a sleep disorder.
Sleep apnoea with moderate to severe excessive daytime sleepiness can affect your licence, but the licensing authority may consider a conditional licence with treatment.
Austroads describes tools like the ESS as one part of a full assessment, and advises doctors not to rely only on the ESS to rule out sleep apnoea. The ESS is part of Assist Group's commercial vehicle driver medicals and rail safety medicals.
Is the ESS used in rail safety medicals?
Yes. The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers (2024) includes the ESS in its Safety Critical Worker Health Questionnaire. Its sleep disorders section covers assessment for Category 1 and 2 safety critical workers. Assist Group completes rail safety medicals in line with the 2024 standard.
How to prepare for the ESS in your medical
- Answer for your usual chance of dozing, not how tired you feel.
- Bring original photo ID and your glasses if you wear them.
- Bring details of any medication taken in the last 14 days, including the name, dose and when you last took it.
Why choose Assist Group?
- Same day or very next day appointments and results.
- Verbal results straight after the assessment, with a written report emailed the same or next business day.
- Assist Group runs industrial medical clinics, so you won't be waiting hours in a waiting room with public patients.
- Since 1986, Assist Group has helped save approximately 19,000 people from serious injury or ill health through its health testing and screening services.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale FAQs
What is a normal Epworth sleepiness score?
A score of 10 or under is in the normal range on both the official ESS bands and Austroads guidance.
Is an Epworth score of 13 high?
Yes. A score of 13 falls in the 13 to 15 band, which indicates moderate excessive daytime sleepiness. It's a reason to talk to your doctor, who may ask more questions or arrange further tests.
What is the typical Epworth score for sleep apnoea?
There isn't one. The ESS measures sleepiness, not sleep apnoea, and Austroads notes it is neither sensitive nor specific for diagnosing it. A sleep study is needed to diagnose sleep apnoea.
Can I take the Epworth sleep test online?
The ESS is copyrighted and can't be changed without written permission, so use an officially licensed version. Take your score to your doctor, as a score alone can't diagnose a sleep disorder.
Is there an Epworth sleepiness scale calculator?
Yes, but you can also score it by hand. Add your eight ratings for a total out of 24, then check it against the score bands above.
Can you drive if you have sleep apnoea in Australia?
You may be able to. A person with sleep apnoea and moderate to severe excessive daytime sleepiness isn't fit for an unconditional licence. The driver licensing authority may consider a conditional licence if they follow treatment and respond well.
Can truck or bus drivers keep their licence with sleep apnoea?
They may be able to. The driver licensing authority may consider a conditional licence, based on the driving task and a sleep specialist's report on treatment. Commercial drivers with sleep apnoea who need treatment must have an annual review by a sleep specialist.
Book Your Commercial Vehicle Driver Medical Today for Fast Results, Australia-Wide
Book a commercial vehicle driver medical today by phoning our medical reception in your location by CLICKING HERE, or submit your details in the contact form at the bottom of this page.