Senior Driving License: Do Older Drivers Have to Take Driving Aptitude Tests?

Young people and seniors are constantly at the heart of debates on driving licenses. While the government validated the lowering of the minimum age to 17 last June, the driving of people over 75 has been raised several times, particularly following this type of series of accidents.

However, there is no current plan to make it mandatory to test the fitness of older people to drive. In July, a bill was tabled to introduce a mandatory and regular medical examination so that senior drivers could keep their driving licence for life. Three months later, Clément Beaune, Minister of Transport, clearly rejected the proposal, saying no to an “expired licence”.

According to the Road Safety Authority, people over 75 are involved in as many accidents as those aged 18-24. After a certain number of years, we lose our agility, visual and hearing acuity, our assessment of distances deteriorates, etc. And taking medication also increases these difficulties felt when driving a vehicle. Remember that the B license is valid for life and that only infractions and offenses can lead the authorities to withdraw it.