In response to social media posts regarding licence renewal for senior citizen drivers, the road transport department (JPJ) has clarified that the claims of additional requirements being imposed for the renewal of these drivers’ licences are untrue, the department said in a statement.
Director-general of the JPJ, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli denied that senior citizens are required to undergo competency or health tests before they can renew their Malaysian driving licences (LMM). This comes after a screen-captured message was circulated on various platforms urging elderly drivers to renew the driver’s licences “soon” before physical examinations are imposed.
“For the record, the Transport Ministry and JPJ have not imposed any additional requirements for senior citizens to renew their driving licence. The renewal process for LMM remains, subject to the existing conditions and standard operating procedure (SOP) under the Road Transport Act 1987,” the JPJ director-general said in a statement.
Members of the public have been advised to refrain from sharing false information, and to verify the accuracy of any information received, Aedy said.
The subject of health screening of elderly drivers was brought to light most recently last month, when Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) director-general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak said that the rise in road accidents involving elderly drivers in the country could be curbed if additional conditions are introduced for renewal of their driving licences.
In 2020, 8.9% of road accidents involved elderly drivers aged 60 and up, rising to 9.2% in 2021, then again to 12% in 2022, Siti Zaharah said.
In terms of age restrictions, there is currently no age limit to driving in Malaysia – nor are there plans to introduce it – however Section 30(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) mandates that drivers ensure they are in a healthy condition to drive.
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Suggest safety aptitude test for old people required to drive or ride motorcycle.
The JPJ DG statement missing the sentences:
“So far none of the accidents involved our Ministers themself, their children or immediate relatives and their cronies. So we don’t need to imposed the additional conditions yet.”
LMAO, agree