Can Chinese citizens still drive after the age of 70?
3 Answers
Chinese citizens can still drive after the age of 70. Here are the relevant details: 1. No age limit: There is no age limit for driving a C1 vehicle. However, it should be noted that once a driver reaches the age of 70, they need to have their driver's license checked annually, and the driver is required to submit a "Driver's Physical Condition Certificate" within 30 days after the end of the scoring period. If the "Driver's Physical Condition Certificate" is not submitted, the driver's license will become invalid the following year. 2. Driver's physical condition certificate: After submitting the driver's physical condition certificate, the vehicle management office will assess whether the driver's physical condition allows them to continue driving. If the office deems that the driver's physical condition permits, they can continue to drive on the road. If the office determines that the driver's physical condition does not allow them to drive anymore, the driver's license will be revoked. At this point, the driver can no longer drive on the road.
Last time I accompanied my elderly father for the annual vehicle inspection and finally understood the key points for drivers over 70: Current policies do allow driving, but they require a strict annual medical check-up at DMV-designated hospitals, testing vision, reaction time, and underlying conditions. Last year, my father was held up for half a month due to slightly high blood pressure and only got the medical clearance after bringing it under control. Daily driving also requires special attention - I've set rules for him: avoid driving in rainy weather whenever possible, take mandatory breaks every two hours on long trips, and add convex blind-spot mirrors. After all, his reflexes aren't what they used to be, and he admits getting startled when e-bikes suddenly dart out. Honestly, we younger family members feel conflicted - wanting to respect his independence while worrying about safety. Recently we've been teaching him ride-hailing apps, but the old man always says he only feels secure with the steering wheel in his hands.
Old Zhang is the oldest student at our driving school, having retaken his C2 license at the age of 72. The policy has indeed loosened up now, allowing people over 70 to drive as long as they pass the medical exam, but to be honest, there are quite a few restrictions. The medical check-up includes several more items than for younger people, such as hearing tests and dynamic vision tracking—Old Zhang had to take the test three times before passing. I recommend that drivers of this age opt for an automatic transmission, as it requires less effort to operate the clutch. Also, it's best to avoid driving at night, as vision deteriorates most dangerously at dusk. Another piece of advice: never drive the sporty cars of younger family members—their stiff chassis and heavy steering can leave you with back pain after just half an hour. Actually, senior citizen bus cards are quite convenient, but some elderly gentlemen just love driving to buy groceries, saying the trunk can fit two baskets of Chinese cabbage.
