Older drivers avoid medical exam in France

There was debate on the issue after an 85-year-old driver was involved in an accident causing the death of a toddler in Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, last year.

But the then transport minister Elisabeth Borne ruled out restrictions other than for medical reasons.

There is however an obligation to declare new health conditions that might affect driving ability, such as epilepsy or diabetes.

Drivers with a UK licence in France should apply to swap for a French licence if they are nearing age 70, at which point automatic UK entitlement to drive ends.

French licences swapped for a UK one, coincidentally, include the figure ‘70’ but this is just an administrative code identifying a swap from a foreign licence.