Driving Restrictions for Pensioners

Drivers over the age of 65 may face restrictions on their driving based on medical conditions.

Depending on the type and severity of medical failures, the traffic department have issued a list of guidelines on restrictions that the over 65´s may face.

The first restriction could be based on distance, with older drivers restricted to journeys not exceeding either 20 or 50 kilometres distance.

Elderly drivers may also face permanent bans from driving on motorways, or at night.

Drivers may face restrictions in the maximum permitted speed which the vehicle they are driving may travel. The actual restrictions will be assessed by the driving examiners based on the medical evidence but could restrict vehicles to a maximum of either 70 or 100 kilometres per hour.

Driving licences will have to be renewed every 5 years for the over 65´s, rather than every 10 years for those under the age bracket. However, the 5 year renewal is based on a person of optimum health, the examination may result in a forced renewal every 2, 3 or 4 years, which may alter after each renewal depending on how health has declined.

The over 65´s must also provide a certificate from the family doctor in the case of having been diagnosed with a chronic disease which may affect driving ability, if they have had cataract surgery or heart surgery, and if they are diabetic or taking medications such as Sintrom or other anticoagulant drugs.