When Are Elderly People’s Driving Licenses Revoked?

When is the driving license taken away from elderly people?

There is an age to start driving and an age to stop.
It is not the individual who decides, but their driving abilities.
Indeed, after a certain age, renewing the driving license can become challenging, as the time between renewals gets shorter.
The reason is simple: in some conditions, the psychophysical requirements for safe driving for oneself and others are no longer met.

But when are the driving licenses taken away from elderly people? There are different circumstances in which this happens.
The revocation of the driving license can also occur in other cases, such as when a condition arises that compromises driving, such as senile dementia.
In cases of driving impairment, even a relative can request the revocation of the driving license.

What are the age limits for driving licenses?

Each driving license has its own age limit; for example, the C license has an age limit of 68 years.
Without going into specifics for each category, let’s take the most common licenses as examples.

Each license needs to be renewed periodically, with the difference being the time required for renewal.
The renewal procedures are established in Article 119 of the Highway Code.
The renewal of the driving license consists of a medical examination to assess the physical and mental fitness for driving.
These assessments are carried out by doctors from the Local Health Authorities.

The intervals between one renewal and another for licenses such as AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, and BE are:

• Every 10 years until the age of 50;
• Every 5 years until the age of 70;
• Every 3 years until the age of 80;
• Every 2 years after turning 80.

Attention: the corresponding special licenses must be renewed every 5 years until the age of 70.

What happens in case of license revocation?

For those over 80, a simple psychophysical assessment must be carried out every 2 years at authorized health centers for the renewal of the driving license.
This was defined by the Simplify Italy decree, in force since February 10, 2012.
But what if the requirements are no longer met? Before confirming the absence of requirements, the medical commission may request further checks.
This applies to any age and during any analysis where doubts arise regarding driving suitability and safety.

If it is determined that the requirements are no longer met, under Article 130 of the New Highway Code, the Civil Motorization can revoke the license.
Therefore, there is no possibility of “preventive suspension,” even in cases of exceptional urgency and severity.

To apply for revocation, if the holder is no longer able to drive, the request must be submitted to the Suspension and Revocation Office at the Civil Motorization office of the subject’s place of residence.
In the application, the “urgency” to proceed with the revocation for the protection of the license holder and others can be requested.
A medical examination will be scheduled, and based on the outcome, the license will be revoked or not.