A few days ago, a serious road accident that happened in Pas de Calais caused a lot of discussion on lifetime license : A 76-year-old driver lost control, confused the brake and gas pedals, drove into a crowd, seriously injuring a dozen pedestrians.

Despite the debate on the appropriateness of maintaining driving licenses for life, the specifics of France, Elizabeth Bourne confirmed that the government did not want driver’s license issues for seniors.

Should we terminate the lifetime license? pic.twitter.com/HFofxkGfL1

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Lifetime license: currently unchanged

Yes, during an interview on the France 2 TV channel, in the program 4 truths with TelematicsThis was clarified by the Prime Minister of France The government now rules out driver’s license questionsafter a certain age:

“This is not our intention”confirms Elizabeth Bourne on France 2: “I think everyone should make sure they’re in good driving condition when they get behind the wheel. It’s not necessarily just a question of age, it’s a question of responsibility, and that’s how we want to stay.”.

After much debate, the French government therefore closes the door to the implementation of the reform driver’s license, which requires motorists to undergo a medical examination after reaching a certain age in order to continue driving.

Lifetime permit: exception in France

According to the traffic safety service drivers over 75 years old is part of more involved in road fatalitiesimmediately after 18-24 years.

France is one of the few countries in the European Union where driving licenses have a permanent validity period : this is a real exception on the Old Continent, which is also found in Germany, Belgium or Poland.

Some other countries impose mandatory medical examinations, as in the Netherlands from the age of 75, in Denmark or Finland from the age of 70, in Spain or the Czech Republic from the age of 65. In Italy and Portugal, the control is even stricter, as it is mandatory from the age of 50.

Source: France 2