Japan to Toughen Skill Test for Elderly Drivers with Records

Tokyo, Sept. 3 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s National Police Agency plans to apply stricter criteria for the mandatory driving skill test for drivers aged 75 or older with a record of traffic violations, officials said Thursday. The agency will add test categories assessing their skills to turn cars in the opposite direction and checking their safety confirmation practice. It also plans to increase the penalty points for not stopping at an intersection. The change was decided based on a report submitted by an expert team. The NPA will implement the change as early as fiscal 2027 after gathering public opinions. The skill test targets elderly drivers who committed violations including speeding and neglecting traffic signals during the three years preceding the renewal of their driving license. The test examines such drivers in actual vehicles to see whether they can properly operate the steering wheel and follow traffic lights and signs when driving. The expert team had discussed whether the current test is appropriate as it turned out that those who had passed the test were involved in accidents or committed violations at a far higher rate than elderly drivers with no record of infractions. In the new test, the NPA plans to add a category to check drivers’ skills to stop the car, back it as if reversing it into a garage, turn it in the opposite direction and then proceed. This is seen as effective because such maneuvering involves multiple operations, such as applying the brakes and accelerating, and judgment, including safety checks, at the same time. The test will also check whether drivers appropriately confirm safety at a stop line or an intersection with poor visibility by looking left and right. The points that will be deducted for failing to stop at an intersection with a stop sign and entering the intersecting road will be doubled to 40. That violation will result in an immediate failure in the test because successful examinees cannot lose more than 30 points. Examinees will lose 20 points if they fail in the direction change category and 10 points for failing to check safety appropriately. The NPA trialed the new test at driver’s license examination centers in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere. The rate of successful examinees was 81.6 pct, 12 percentage points lower than in the current test. The expert team also considered adding an S-shaped curve and a zigzag course. But it decided not to include them, as a longer test time could put more burdens on exam centers. Some members also said that the success rate might plunge. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]