The General Direction of Traffic in Spain has introduced new measures for drivers who are over 65 and over 70 years, which include a series of medical tests before driving licences will be renewed,
Firstly, licences for drivers over 65 years must be renewed every five years and for those over 70 years every two years.
Secondly, drivers over 70 years are exempt from taxes when they renew their licence but must pay for the medical tests.
The medical tests for the over 70´s include:
A psychotechnical valoration: anticipation of speed and the «vismotora» coordination test.*
Hearing test.
Sight valoration.
Patient history*
Study of general health (blood pressure; pusle; heart and lung soundings).
Editor´s Note:
*The «psychotechnical valoration» is carried out on a computer using an app which tests reflexes and coordination.
*Patient history is an oral test where the driver gives their own medical history including any medications. If you don´t speak Spanish it is advisable to take an interpreter.
WHY HAS THE DGT CHANGED THE RULES FOR SENIOR DRIVERS?
Road deaths in these age brackets are elevated.
Some 30% of deaths from road traffic accidents in the EU involve drivers over 65 years old and 50% of those deaths involve pedestrians or cyclists.
In Spain 28% of deaths in road traffic accidents were drivers over 65 years old.
The DGT affirms that these statistics will worsen if measures to prevent them are not taken.
Editor´s Note
Some readers have told Nexnr that restrictions have been placed on their licences ( such as limits on the distance they may drive). There is no direct information currently available about this but the two «assesors» who carry out the tests can make observations and comments concerning the effect of the health of a driver on his/her ability to drive safely. The DGT (through the Traffic Police) may then place restrictions on the renewed licence based on these observations. Nexonr can find no appeal procedure.
(An interpeter is essential for non Spanish speakers in order give an accurate acount of the drivers´medical history. However, taking an interpreter will not necessarily change «observations and assessments» made by the assessors.)
This article applies to the revision of licences on the current renewal date. There is no evidence licences are being reviewed or revised BEFORE the current renewal date. If this should change there will be an update on Nexonr.
