France is one of the last countries in Europe to issue a driving license valid for life, unlike its neighbors. In France, a medical check-up and aptitude tests are carried out to ensure that senior drivers are not a danger to others or to themselves.
Towards a mandatory medical check-up?
The European Parliament recently debated the issue of a mandatory medical check-up every fifteen years in order to keep one’s driving license. This measure was rejected by MEPs, who preferred to leave the decision to the discretion of each member state. France was already particularly resistant to this proposed reform, considering that it would deprive seniors, especially in rural areas, of the freedom and autonomy essential to their well-being.
When you’re elderly, especially in rural areas, you need a car. France does not support the idea of imposing a form of expiration date on driving licenses.
Clément Beaune, Minister of Transport, October 2023
Shortly before this proposed reform of the driving license, an Ifop poll revealed that 70% of French people were in favor of a medical check-up for senior citizens. Karima Delli, Green MEP and Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee at the time, commented on X :
Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark are already doing it, so why shouldn’t we?
Karima Delli, Green MEP and Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee at the time
But what about our European neighbors?
- Portugal: the strictest country in the world. A medical check-up is required at every key age, starting at 40. The next ones come at 50, 65 and 75. For seniors over 75, the check-up is repeated every 2 years.
- Italy: The country has set the age of the first check-up at 50.
- Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic: compulsory examination from age 65.
- Denmark, Ireland and Finland: compulsory examination at age 70. In Denmark, compulsory screening for cognitive impairment has been introduced, and the right to drive has been withdrawn from anyone who fails to score sufficiently well on cognitive function tests.
- Netherlands: compulsory examination at age 75, to be repeated every five years thereafter.
In some of our European neighboring countries, it’s not the driver’s age that counts, but the date on which they obtained their driving license.
- Belgium: In 2010, the country introduced a driving license valid for 10 years. Each renewal application must be accompanied by a certificate of fitness to drive.
- Hungary and Lithuania: A time-limited driving license has also been introduced.
A driver’s license to renew for the United States
In the United States, unlike in France, a driver’s license is not a holy grail issued ad vitam eternam. Depending on the state and the driver’s age, the driver’s license must be renewed every four or six years (or even every year or two if the driver is a minor). Depending on the state, vision tests may also be required for license renewal.
- Alabama: Four-year validity
- Florida: valid for eight years
In Quebec, the highway safety code provides for an examination at age 75, then at age 80 and every 2 years thereafter. The doctor does not rule on driving ability, but lists the patient’s driving risks.
Japan: always one step ahead
In Tokyo, senior citizens can be offered a “super-driver certificate”, in exchange for their driving licenses, to reward them for their years of driving. The certificate gives access to commercial discounts in stores, public baths, pharmacies, hairdressing salons, parks, public transport and cabs.
What’s more, faced with an aging population and an increasing number of elderly drivers, Japan has taken the initiative of opening its very first license renewal center dedicated to drivers over 70. Located in the city of Saitama, seniors will be able to take driving courses and attend lectures.
Usually, driver’s license training is carried out in standard centers, resulting in long waiting times due to the presence of many young drivers and the ever-increasing number of senior citizens. According to Saitama Prefecture, the number of senior drivers renewing their licenses rose by 50% between 2014 and 2023. Although sessions are available six months before the renewal deadline, the average waiting time was around 30 days in April.
This situation has prompted the government to open the first license renewal center entirely dedicated to senior citizens. The opening of this facility aims to reduce the waiting time for the training required to renew senior drivers’ licenses, and to raise awareness of declining cognitive and physical abilities, thus promoting safer driving.
This first center dedicated to drivers aged 70 and over will be able to accommodate 300 people a day (120 for courses and 180 for tests) and around 75,000 a year.
So, there is no test or medical examination to renew the license, but rather solutions to find and implement to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
Published by the Editorial Staff on