Taiwan Lowers Driver's License Renewal Age to 70, Effective May 31; Health Check and Training Mandatory
The Taiwan Directorate General of Highways announced that starting May 31, the age for driver's license renewal for seniors will be lowered from 75 to 70. Applicants must pass a physical examination and complete a 2-hour road safety course. Those 75 and older must also pass a cognitive test. The policy affects approximately 1.28 million people, with a two-year grace period provided.
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- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 18:26
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Central News Agency, Taipei, May 26: The new system for senior driver's license renewal will take effect on May 31, lowering the renewal age from 75 to 70. The Directorate General of Highways stated today that all applicants must pass a physical examination and complete a 2-hour road safety course. Drivers aged 75 and older are also required to pass a cognitive function test.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced three strategies for license management last October. Lin Fu-shan, Director-General of the Directorate General of Highways, pointed out at a press conference today that the focus of the new system is to adjust the regular renewal age for senior drivers from 75 to 70, adopting an age-based care program.
Under the new regulations, drivers aged 70 to 74 who pass the physical examination and complete the road safety course will be issued a license valid until they turn 75. Drivers aged 75 and older must also pass a cognitive function test or provide a medical certificate stating they do not have moderate or severe dementia, with renewals required every three years thereafter.
Lin further explained that the senior renewal course is free, totaling two hours, conducted in two 50-minute sessions. The first session focuses on current traffic safety policies, regulations, and new driving knowledge, supplemented by case studies and interaction with seniors. The second session involves interactive hazard perception simulations to enhance safety awareness and skills. The content is designed to be easily understood by seniors.
Lin noted that in addition to scheduled classes at motor vehicle offices, the agency has partnered with local government care centers and other external units to arrange 375 training locations and has trained over 400 instructors. Locations include motor vehicle offices, driving schools, district offices, and community centers.
Furthermore, the physical examination form has been updated. For those 75 and older, eight items regarding "driver self-declaration" have been added, including dizziness, daytime sleepiness, heart discomfort, or history of fainting, to provide reference for physicians. For those aged 70 to 74, the physical examination form generally follows the current standards for 18-year-old applicants, with an added section for physician recommendations.
Seniors who turn 70 before May 31 this year have a full two-year grace period. Lin stated that while the grace period lasts until May 31, 2028, those who have used this grace period cannot claim the additional grace period for the first renewal after turning 75. For those who turn 70 after the new system takes effect, the two-year grace period starts from their 70th birthday.
According to statistics from the Directorate General of Highways, starting May 31, the policy will apply to approximately 1.1 million people aged 70 and 180,000 people aged 75 and older, totaling 1.28 million.
Lin mentioned that seniors aged 73 to 74 can choose to renew their license during the two-year grace period, but if they are close to turning 75, they can wait and directly apply for the 75-and-older care program. Seniors should wait until they receive a renewal notice from the motor vehicle office, though early applications are also accepted.
If seniors fail to renew within the grace period, Lin stated that they will be in violation of Article 22 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, treating the license as expired while driving, which carries a fine of NT$1,800 to NT$3,600. If a driver completes the renewal or voluntarily surrenders the license within three months of being cited, the fine may be waived, though traffic violations like running red lights will still be penalized.
The Directorate General of Highways listed the top 10 common violations by seniors: running red lights, improper turns or lane changes, driving with an invalid license (e.g., driving a heavy motorcycle with a small car license), driving against traffic, improper lane usage, failure to wear a helmet, illegal temporary parking, driving on sidewalks, driving outside designated lanes, and failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced three strategies for license management last October. Lin Fu-shan, Director-General of the Directorate General of Highways, pointed out at a press conference today that the focus of the new system is to adjust the regular renewal age for senior drivers from 75 to 70, adopting an age-based care program.
Under the new regulations, drivers aged 70 to 74 who pass the physical examination and complete the road safety course will be issued a license valid until they turn 75. Drivers aged 75 and older must also pass a cognitive function test or provide a medical certificate stating they do not have moderate or severe dementia, with renewals required every three years thereafter.
Lin further explained that the senior renewal course is free, totaling two hours, conducted in two 50-minute sessions. The first session focuses on current traffic safety policies, regulations, and new driving knowledge, supplemented by case studies and interaction with seniors. The second session involves interactive hazard perception simulations to enhance safety awareness and skills. The content is designed to be easily understood by seniors.
Lin noted that in addition to scheduled classes at motor vehicle offices, the agency has partnered with local government care centers and other external units to arrange 375 training locations and has trained over 400 instructors. Locations include motor vehicle offices, driving schools, district offices, and community centers.
Furthermore, the physical examination form has been updated. For those 75 and older, eight items regarding "driver self-declaration" have been added, including dizziness, daytime sleepiness, heart discomfort, or history of fainting, to provide reference for physicians. For those aged 70 to 74, the physical examination form generally follows the current standards for 18-year-old applicants, with an added section for physician recommendations.
Seniors who turn 70 before May 31 this year have a full two-year grace period. Lin stated that while the grace period lasts until May 31, 2028, those who have used this grace period cannot claim the additional grace period for the first renewal after turning 75. For those who turn 70 after the new system takes effect, the two-year grace period starts from their 70th birthday.
According to statistics from the Directorate General of Highways, starting May 31, the policy will apply to approximately 1.1 million people aged 70 and 180,000 people aged 75 and older, totaling 1.28 million.
Lin mentioned that seniors aged 73 to 74 can choose to renew their license during the two-year grace period, but if they are close to turning 75, they can wait and directly apply for the 75-and-older care program. Seniors should wait until they receive a renewal notice from the motor vehicle office, though early applications are also accepted.
If seniors fail to renew within the grace period, Lin stated that they will be in violation of Article 22 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, treating the license as expired while driving, which carries a fine of NT$1,800 to NT$3,600. If a driver completes the renewal or voluntarily surrenders the license within three months of being cited, the fine may be waived, though traffic violations like running red lights will still be penalized.
The Directorate General of Highways listed the top 10 common violations by seniors: running red lights, improper turns or lane changes, driving with an invalid license (e.g., driving a heavy motorcycle with a small car license), driving against traffic, improper lane usage, failure to wear a helmet, illegal temporary parking, driving on sidewalks, driving outside designated lanes, and failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
FAQ
What is the new age for driver's license renewal in Taiwan?
The age has been lowered to 70 years old.