Up To What Age Can You Drive?
By the middle of the 21st century, there will be a third of the population of Spain over 65 years of age. This means that a high percentage of drivers will exceed that age.
In this situation, there is a great debate about whether the loss of reflexes resulting from age should lead to a maximum limit of years to drive.
Studies by the General Directorate of Traffic show that most drivers distrust people over 65 at the wheel. However, according to insurance statistics and accident figures, they are the age group least involved in traffic accidents.
The percentage of accidents in the elderly is four times lower than in the case of drivers under 25 years of age. In addition, it is less than half that of drivers between the ages of 35 and 44.
The usual limitations in those over 65
Currently there are no regulations that limit the age of the elderly to be able to renew their driver’s license. According to the declarations of the DGT, the limit is in the health, not in the age.
For this reason, while in those under 65 it is mandatory to renew the driving license every 10 years, after that age the frequency is reduced to five years.
The DGT has declared that age does not have to imply a psychophysical deterioration. However, more than a third of drivers between the ages of 65 and 70 renew their license with restrictions.
Among these restrictions, the main problem is the visual capacity of the drivers. Age often takes its toll on sight, so there are only 13.8% of people between 71 and 75 years old who renew their license without any restrictions.
From those over 86 years of age, less than 1% of drivers manage to pass medical examinations without any inconvenience. Even so, there are less than 2% of drivers over the age of 86 who are not allowed to renew their driver’s license.
Among the rest of the factors that can influence the restrictions when renewing the license are the perceptual-motor or auditory capacity. There are also metabolic and endocrine diseases, in addition to problems with the cardiovascular system.
Driving license codes
The traffic regulations of Spain contemplate various typologies regarding the personal restrictions of each driver and according to the type of license. At the bottom left of the back of the license is section 12, which reflects the possible limitations.
This section can be filled in with several numbers, which will indicate the limitations of the driver in question. These restrictions can be physical or administrative.
As an example, this section will indicate the case of a driver who has lost all the points on his license and has recovered them later. There are also codes that indicate whether the driver needs to wear glasses, hearing aids or items that adapt their vehicle to a special disability.
Mistrust of older drivers
As we have mentioned, a high percentage of drivers in Spain distrust older people at the wheel, despite the accident figures being on their side. In addition, several studies show that older people respect speed limits more and do not tend to show aggressive driving.
The main cause of mistrust, according to the other drivers, is that the psychotechnical tests are not very rigorous, and should be carried out more frequently, even annually.
Other studies, such as those carried out by the insurer Mapfre, show that around 67% of drivers over 65 years of age feel more insecure and slower when it comes to getting behind the wheel.
On the other hand, the DGT places special emphasis on the consumption of drugs, which can considerably affect the reflexes and concentration of the pilot.
The administration recommends, among other measures, avoiding getting behind the wheel for a few hours after eating, resting more often than younger drivers and, of course, avoiding alcohol consumption.
Ultimately, the key to staying safe on the road is to stay alert while driving, especially over the years. In this way, the loss of faculties due to age can be compensated.
