INCREASE TO 75 FOR THE MANDATORY PROVISION OF A MEDICAL REPORT WHEN APPLYING FOR LICENCE

From this Monday, the age at which an applicant for a driving licence must supply a medical report will increase from 70 to 75, meaning that drivers under 75 will no longer have to supply a medical report confirming their fitness to drive, unless they have an identified or specified illness or are required to do so by law.

Driving licences will remain free to those aged 70 or over. In addition, drivers aged 70 and over may continue to apply by post to renew a licence or learner permit.

The RSA believe that between February and August this year, there will be in the region of 15,000 applications a month from people aged 70 or over. About one third of these applications will be made by post.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the requirement for people aged 70 and over to provide a medical report was temporarily suspended, to comply with social distancing and to help address increased pressures on medical services.