Driving licences: Medical report exemption for over-70s extended

An exemption that allows over 70s to apply for a driving licence without the need to provide a medical report has been extended by the Government due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The exemption has been extended to June 2021, the Minister of State in the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton said on Monday.

“This means that persons of 70 years of age or over can apply for, and renew, their driving licence without the need to submit a medical report, on the condition that they do not have an identified or specified illness and are not applying for a truck or bus category,” she said.

“This extended measure will eliminate the need for our drivers over the age of 70 from having to make an unnecessary journey to their GP, or to the NDLS (National Driver Licence Service) centre, as we continue to work to minimise social interactions in our efforts to tackle Covid-19.

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“All drivers who are over 70 years of age will be contacted directly with an application pack which will allow them to apply for a new licence by post.”

The NDLS service, which is managed by the Road Safety Authority, will be sending out application packs to those eligible to apply by post in the coming weeks. The pack will include a partially completed application form that the customer must complete. Those drivers who have the option to apply online can do so at any time at www.ndls.ie.

Ms Naughton said: “Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to ask all motorists, not just those aged 70 or over, to take the utmost care while driving. In these challenging times it can be all too easy to be distracted on the road. Take care. Stay apart. Stay safe.”