In France, the issue of driver’s licenses for the elderly causes numerous discussions. Indeed, several legislative proposals on this topic have been introduced in recent years, but each time they have been rejected.

And yet, this topic comes up with every accident involving an elderly person: according to Road Safety, people over the age of 75 are among the biggest road fatalities, immediately after 18-24 years. So, should we impose a a doctor’s visit or a mandatory examination after a certain age? A question that divides the French more than ever.

Driving license for life: Government insists

For the Government, the issue of a lifetime driver’s license is still irrelevant: “We are not supporters of the idea of ​​an age license”recently stated Clément Beaune, who wanted to “stop rumors or fake news” during a recent interview on Southern radio.

Indeed, a representative of the Minister of Transport does not support this and believes that the obligation to pass a medical examination or further training to retain a driving license after reaching a certain age will form of discrimination : “When you’re an elderly person, especially in a rural area, you need a car”, Clément Bohn clarifies. The opinion of many French people is in favor of keeping a driving license for life.

Permit validity: what about other countries?

France is still one of the rare countries in the European Union where driving licenses have a permanent validity period. Indeed, the received license is valid throughout the life of the driver lack of medical examination is not conducted among the elderly to test their ability to drive, at least not yet.

As in France, our German or Belgian neighbors do not carry out any checks on the elderly, as in Poland. The United Kingdom is a special case, as driving is subject to an administrative procedure from the age of 70: the driver must declare every three years whether he considers himself fit to drive by completing a health questionnaire.

Since the ability of the elderly to drive is not a taboo for them, some other countries impose it mandatory medical examinations, for example, 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.

Read also:
• Wash the car: can it be done in front of the house?
• Speed ​​cameras: types, operation, fines… everything you need to know!
• Phone driving: These unpredictable preconceived notions about it