Eligibility to hold a driving license for seniors and current legislation
Authors:
M. Janečková 1; T. Janečková 1; A. Frühaufová 2; Š. Chytrý 1; V. Puchnerová 3; J. Brož 1
Authors‘ workplace:
Interní klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha
1; 2. LF UK Praha
2; Kardiologická klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha
3
Published in:
Prakt. Lék. 2025; 105(3): 126-129
Category:
Of different specialties
Overview
The aging population presents new challenges not only for healthcare but also for road safety. In the Czech Republic, a growing number of older adults remain active drivers, even as age-related physiological and cognitive changes increase the risk of unsafe driving. For many seniors, driving is a symbol of independence and autonomy. However, these changes-such as slowed reaction time, reduced visual fields, or impaired executive function-can significantly affect driving ability, even without a formal diagnosis like dementia. General practitioners play a central role in assessing seniors’ fitness to drive, as mandated by Czech legislation (especially Act No. 361/2000 and Decree No. 277/2004). A new amendment effective from July 1, 2025, brings clearer guidelines for these assessments and grants physicians more discretion in referring patients to specialists. The article explores risk identification, cognitive and physical training programs, driver simulation, and psychological assessments that can help prolong safe driving. It also highlights the ethical and practical dilemmas physicians face when deciding whether a patient should retain their license and the broader social consequences of driving cessation for older adults.
Keywords:
general practitioner – aging population – driving licence – legislative changes
Sources
- Centrum dopravního výzkumu. Senioři 2022 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www.cdv.cz/file/seniori-2022-pdf/ [cit. 2025-08-19].
- Česká republika. Zákon č. 361/2000 Sb., o provozu na pozemních komunikacích a o změnách některých zákonů (zákon o silničním provozu), ve znění účinném k 1. 1. 2026 [online]. Dostupné z: https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz – aktuální znění k 1.1.2026 [cit. 2025-08-19].
- Merck Manual Professional. Geriatrics – The older driver. Functional assessment of the older driver [online]. Dostupné z: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/geriatrics/ the-older-driver/functional-assessment-of-the-older-driver [cit. 2025-08-19].
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- Brož J, Brabec M, Janíčková Žďárská D, et al. Fear of driving license withdrawal in patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus negatively influences their decision to report severe hypoglycemic events to physicians. Patient Prefer Adherence 2015; 9 : 1367–1370.
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- Evropská komise. Assessing the fitness to drive [online]. Dostupné z: https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/eu-road-safety-policy/priorities/safe-road-use/elderly-drivers/ older-drivers/what-can-be-done-about-it/assessing-fitness-drive_en?utm_source=chatgpt.com [cit. 2025-08-19].
- Česká republika. Vyhláška č. 31/2001 Sb., o řidičských průkazech a o registru řidičů, Ministerstva dopravy a spojů, ze dne 10. 1. 2001, účinná od 31. 1. 2001 [online]. Dostupné z: zakonyprolidi.cz – aktuální znění (verze k 1. 7. 2025).
adresa pro korespondenci:
MUDr. Jan Brož
Interní klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol
V Úvalu 84, 150 00 Praha 5
e-mail: jan.broz@fnmotol.cz
Labels
General practitioner for children and adolescents General practitioner for adultsArticle was published in
General Practitioner
2025 Issue 3
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