Transportation Ministry raises age for license-related medical examinations from 70 to 75

The Transportation Ministry announced today (Thursday) that Minister Miri Regev amended regulation 196 (b) of the Transportation Regulations, raising the mandatory age for driver's license holders to undergo medical examinations from 70 to 75.

People in possession of a driver's license will thus have another five years before they need to fill out a questionnaire with their physician and undergo tests by the Medical Institute for Road Safety to keep their licenses.

Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken said that "at the direction of Minister Regev, the Transportation Ministry made public service the top priority. The regulation change signed by the minister will help and make things easier for elderly drivers in renewing their driver's license. The move received the support and agreement of all relevant bodies."

The age at which license holders must start renewing their license subject to health declarations or examinations differs internationally and even across different states in the United States. An age of 75 is very much in the middle of the 65-80 average age for examinations.