State of Health and Licences

You will soon reach the age of 75 or 80 and you have received a letter

Even if you are in good health and have many years of driving experience, certain health or vision problems may appear with age.

This is why all drivers aged 75 must declare their state of health using the self-declaration of medical information form (PDF, 180.5 ko).

Every driver aged 80 or over must undergo a medical examination by a physician or a specialized nurse practitioner and a vision test carried out by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist according to the following schedule:

• 6 months before their 80th birthday
• every two years after age 80

What the medical examination allows us to check

• Your general state of health
• Your mobility (ranges of motion, for example when you turn your head)
• Your cognitive functions (behaviour, memory, attention, etc.)

What the vision test allows us to check

• Your distance and peripheral (side) vision
• Any problem that can reduce your ability to drive safely, such as:
  • cataracts
  • glaucoma
  • macular degeneration

Don't worry…

Contrary to what you may think, very few people who undergo a medical examination or vision test lose their licence.

However, several drivers subsequently have conditions to respect, e.g. avoiding driving at night, having to wear eyeglasses to drive, etc.

When a medical examination reveals problems that could hinder a person's ability to drive, we sometimes have the person undergo a road test in order to render an informed decision about the licence.

Last update: December  6, 2021