Drivers Over 65 In Spain May Have To Renew Their Licences More Often Under DGT Plans
Spain News
Published: 11 May 2022 15:05 CET
Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) plans to reduce the validity period of the driving licence of drivers over the age of 65 years.
Currently, until the age of 65, driving licences are renewed every ten years. Once a driver reaches 65 years of age, licences need to be renewed every five years, every two years from the age of 70.
If the DGT’s plans, that are currently under consideration go ahead, these age groups will be required to renew their licences more frequently.
Drivers over the age of 70 years who are renewing their licence will be exempt from payment, however, they will still have to pay for the cost of their medical examination.
Improving road safety across Spain is paramount and it is a known fact that as we age our psychophysical faculties diminish.
The general secretary of the Spanish Association of Psychological Medical Centers (ASECEMP), Bonifacio Martín, affirmed that “age is a factor that notably influences the loss of faculties; the older, the more denials and restrictive conditions.”
He also pointed out that "the view is the most important organ in providing information on driving and it is also the one that provides the greatest number of denials and restrictive conditions."
So to reinforce the issue of road safety the DGT will administer any changes they feel will assist.
"What is intended in this way is to increase the frequency of medical and aptitude checks so that continuing to drive is safe for everyone," the DGT said when it announced this move.
At present, there are four million people in that age group living in Spain, which equates to 15% of the population. Yet Maria José Aparicio, who is the deputy director for road safety education and training at the DGT said that “30% of those who die in traffic accidents in the European Union are over 65.
“That figure applies to all countries and rises to 50% for pedestrians and cyclists. In 2019 in Spain, 28% of fatalities in traffic accidents were over 65 and these figures are going to get worse if we don’t do something about it, because the population is ageing”.
As well as the validity period of driving licences changing, so will the frequency in which medical checks are carried out. This was confirmed by the general director of the DGT, Pere Navarro.
The medical checks will include…
- Psychotechnical Assessment: Anticipation of speed and visual-motor coordination.
- Anamnesis: interview where questions are asked about diseases or medications that may be dangerous.
- Study of the general condition: blood pressure, pulse and cardio-pulmonary auscultation.
The DGT explains that "If during the medical examination an illness or deficiency is detected that, although it does not prevent renewal at the moment, it is likely to worsen, the period of validity of the permit will be shorter."
In Spain there is currently no age limit to continue driving, what does deter whether a person can continue to drive is their capabilities and aptitudes.
Sources
https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/drivers-over-will-20220510113400-nt.html
https://www.diariovasco.com/economia/tu-bolsillo/dgt-carnet-conducir-20220510093832-nt.html
