The EU introduces new rules for older drivers: what you need to know

New rules for drivers in the EU are aimed at improving road safety and creating a responsible culture of mobility. Find out what drivers need to prepare for

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The European Commission is preparing to introduce new rules for drivers over 70. The main changes concern medical examinations and self-assessment of health, aimed at improving road safety in the European Union. Despite the rejection of mandatory medical examinations for elderly drivers every five years, EU countries will receive tools to implement them at the national level.

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New rules for drivers

Initially, the European Commission proposed mandatory examinations for drivers over 70 every five years, which could have led to the loss of driving licences without a medical certificate. However, this initiative was rejected by the European Parliament as discriminatory. Instead, a compromise solution was adopted: in each EU country, drivers over 70 will have to undergo either a medical examination or a health assessment based on self-assessment.

Each country will decide whether this self-assessment is sufficient or whether a full medical examination with tests of vision, hearing and cardiovascular system is necessary.

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Why is this important?

According to experts, with age, drivers over 65 experience a decline in psychophysical abilities, which affects road safety.

Older people often have slower reactions, poorer judgement of distance and find it more difficult to make decisions in extreme situations. This is confirmed by statistics, according to which drivers over 60 are responsible for many accidents, including fatal ones.

Will the rules be mandatory?

In some EU countries, such as Poland, drivers do not undergo regular medical examinations. Tests are only required when obtaining a driving licence, in the event of serious violations or by court order. However, experts believe that such checks should be made more accessible and widespread, regardless of the driver's age. Psychological tests can increase drivers' self-awareness, leading to improved road safety.

The demographic situation in Europe is changing rapidly. By 2050, almost half of the EU population will be over 50, requiring new rules to ensure safety. New standards for medical examinations and self-assessment of health are not only a step towards greater safety, but also an attempt to create a culture of mobility based on awareness and prevention.

The changes being introduced will help improve road safety, reduce the number of accidents and increase the overall responsibility of older drivers.

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