EU sets new age threshold and medical checks for senior drivers

The European Union is preparing amendments to its driver‑licence rules that will affect senior motorists. The proposal sets the standard licence validity at 15 years (10 years if the licence also serves as an identity document) and keeps professional drivers on a five‑year renewal cycle.

Member states will be able, but not required, to shorten the validity period for drivers aged 65 and over and to tie licence renewal to additional medical examinations. The age at which extra health checks may be introduced has been moved from 50 to 65 years, after a compromise in the European Parliament. Countries can decide individually whether to implement more frequent checks or to limit licence terms for older drivers, potentially down to five years.

The changes are not expected to take effect immediately; EU members will have four years to transpose the rules, meaning the earliest nationwide application could be in 2028‑2029. Polish authorities will make the final decision for Poland. Experts note that reaction times double after age 75 and that seniors are currently responsible for a significant share of road accidents.