Italy withdraws proposed driving bans for motorists over 85

The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has clarified that the proposed reform of the Highway Code will not include automatic driving restrictions for motorists over 85. This follows a reversal by Minister Matteo Salvini regarding earlier draft provisions that suggested strict limitations.

Initial drafts had proposed three automatic restrictions for those renewing licenses after age 85: a ban on highway driving, a zero-alcohol tolerance policy, and a 100-kilometer radius limit from one's residence. These measures were intended to enhance road safety but faced criticism for potentially penalizing elderly citizens and infringing on mobility rights.

Under the revised approach, the government aims to replace automatic bans with more rigorous and personalized medical evaluations. While license renewals for those over 80 will remain biennial, the focus will shift toward specialized clinical assessments by geriatricians or local medical commissions to ensure psychophysical fitness. This move seeks to balance individual autonomy with public safety through individualized rather than age-based restrictions.