Do older drivers have to sit any aptitude tests in France?

Debates on rules and regulations are ever-present in France, especially for drivers. 

These include speed limits on departmental roads but especially tests for elderly drivers. 

Accidents involving an elderly driver in France reignites the conversation about medical exams or retaking driving tests. 

What are the rules in France? 

However, France is one of the most liberal countries in Europe when it comes to tests for drivers.

Whilst others such as Italy and Ireland require frequent medical exams – in the latter these are required annually for drivers over 70 – this is not the case in France.

There are no uniform tests either for medical or driving capability that elderly drivers must pass.

This means that in most cases, once a driver receives their licence, it can only be revoked if they lose the points on it.

A couple of partial exemptions do exist but are not widespread.

Local authorities can require a driver to pass a medical test if they have a certain medical condition. 

The official list of medical conditions that can lead to a temporary or permanent licence revocation by prefects was last updated in 2022.

It includes not just conditions themselves, but also symptoms of conditions that can cause danger on roads – such as fatigue or heart difficulties.

However, the test is only in place to help inform local prefects about a possible revocation, and even if failed does not necessarily mean the person’s licence will necessarily be revoked.

Elderly drivers can opt to place a ‘S’ sticker on their vehicles to denote they are senior drivers, but this is not mandatory.

Read more: Is it true that older drivers must put an S sticker on cars in France?

Is legislation set to change? 

Some politicians have previously advocated legislation to make medical tests mandatory for elderly drivers, however any potential laws would face fierce backlash from campaigners, who say on the whole elderly drivers are safer drivers. 

Road accident statistics show roughly 10% of accidents on French roads per year involve someone over the age of 65. More than double this, over 20%, involve a driver between the ages of 18 and 24.

A wave of new driving regulations will be passed in the coming years by the EU, part of which will focus on driving licences.

The majority of these relate to standardising driving tests for learners and the process of obtaining a licence. 

Including mandatory medical tests as part of the regulations was rejected by the EU parliament in a narrow vote. 

Read more: EU parliament votes against mandatory medical visits for drivers

Individual countries have been encouraged by the EU Transport Committee to pass such rules, but will not be obliged to do so, and in France’s case, it seems unlikely rules will be brought in. 

The Connexion has previously asked readers for their opinion, responses can be viewed below.. 

Read more: Mixed bag as our readers respond to debate on tests for older drivers

Read more: Should older drivers in France undergo medical checks? Your feedback

Should certain tests be mandatory for elderly drivers? Let us know your views via feedback@connexionfrance.com