Are elderly drivers in France required to take a medical test for licence renewal?

Reader Question: I’ve seen a post on social media claiming that elderly drivers in France will soon need to pass medical tests to renew their licence. Is this true? 

No, this is not correct.

Rules on renewals for elderly drivers are decided at a country, not EU level, and France is among EU countries that do not require a medical based simply on age.

In comparison, Italy and Ireland require medical tests for elderly drivers, as well as more frequent renewals.

An ongoing major overhaul of road safety rules in the EU originally included proposals for medical tests for elderly drivers alongside several other changes.

However, the idea of obligatory medical tests has not been included in the final draft of a new EU driving licence directive, which is expected to be voted on by the MEPs late next month and to become law a few weeks after that.

The EU encourages member states to implement such a rule, but they are not compelled to do so. 

What are the rules in France?

The issue often arises, particularly after an accident involving an elderly driver. The matter is hotly debated with a wide range of opinions. 

Currently, the rules in France are as follows:

Drivers of motorcycles and standard cars (category ‘A’ and ‘B’ licences) must renew their licence every 15 years regardless of their age (some other licence categories must be renewed more frequently).

Medical tests are not mandatory, but drivers who have certain health conditions are required to notify these and to pass a medical with a prefecture-approved doctor so as to maintain their licence. In some cases vehicles may have to have adaptations. 

The list of conditions leading to a test can be found here, and was last updated in 2022.

You must pay for the appointment (€36) with this sum not refunded by social security, however those with a disability level of 50% or more do not need to pay.

Earlier this year, an MP brought forward a proposed law to change the rules that would see drivers over 70 required to undergo medical tests and see licences renewed every five years as opposed to 15.

However, no progress has been made with this.

Drivers over 70 can place an ‘S’ (for sénior) sticker on their vehicle to let nearby drivers know they are elderly, however this is optional and not a mandatory requirement.

Will incoming EU rules change anything? 

As mentioned, a new package of EU driving licence rules is expected to be finalised towards the end of next month. Individual EU countries will then have four years to pass national laws putting it into action.

In terms of your question, there are few major changes in the most recent draft, which is now unlikely to change significantly.

All countries in the bloc have the option to reduce the number of years a licence is valid for if they wish, but no major party unilaterally supports such a reform (although there may be some cross-party support).

By 2030, EU states will need to implement at the least a medical self-assessment form for the first acquisition of licences. The form will cover a range of conditions linked to impaired driving, such as hearing and eyesight problems, alcohol dependency, severe mental illness and certain physical disabilities.

After this, the same may also be required for renewals, though the latest draft states have the option to merely “establish a system to ensure that changes in the physical or mental fitness are reacted upon”. 

The latter could be based on a rule (as now in France) whereby people are required to report significant changes in their health. Countries can opt to strengthen these procedures with an obligation for actual medical tests instead of self-assessment, but are not required to do so.

With regard to people aged 65 and over, the rules say states may decide to reduce the renewal period of their licences, so as to apply more frequent medicals or self-assessment, or other specific measures such as refresher courses. 

However, there is no obligation on states to opt for specific rules for this group.

Other rules from the decision that will affect elderly drivers such as digital licences can be found here.