Greece: Allegations of bribery in elderly driver license renewals

Reports in Greece have surfaced regarding allegations of bribery to bypass mandatory medical examinations for elderly driving license renewals. Following a viral video showing an elderly driver traveling the wrong way on the Athens-Corinth National Road, investigations suggest that some driving schools may facilitate renewals for fees ranging from 300 to 500 euros without required health checks.

In Greece, there is no maximum age limit for driving, but regulations require license renewals every three years for those over 65 and every two years for those over 80. These renewals must include ophthalmological, pathological, neurological, and otorhinolaryngological examinations to ensure drivers possess the necessary vision, hearing, and reflexes.

The European Union is reportedly considering measures to shorten the validity period of licenses and increase the frequency of medical checks for drivers over 65. Such measures aim to address road safety risks associated with age-related declines in physical and cognitive abilities.