Will the driver's license be downgraded at the age of 60?

[Brielle]

Whether the driver's license will be downgraded at the age of 60 depends on the situation. Owners holding A/B-level driver's licenses will be downgraded to C1 level, but C-level driver's licenses will not be downgraded. The new regulations for driver's license downgrades in 2022 are the same as before. Drivers with a C-level or above driver's license who reach the age of 60 or older (including 60) must be downgraded to a C-level driver's license. The C-level driver's license is lifelong. At the age of 60, there is no need to replace the license or submit a medical examination certificate. Owners applying for a downgrade need to bring the original driver's license, the driver's original ID card, four photos of the driver, and a physical condition certificate from a county-level or military regiment-level medical institution to the vehicle management office where the driver's license was issued or another location to exchange for a driver's license that permits driving small cars or small automatic transmission cars. Additionally, when the owner reaches the age of 70, they must undergo an annual medical examination. Only after passing the examination can they continue to hold a C-level driver's license and drive the permitted vehicle types. Under the new regulations, those who have not reached the age can also voluntarily downgrade. They can choose the downgrade level based on their situation, and there is no time limit. When applying, the owner must do so in person and can choose between a C1 or C2 driver's license based on their circumstances. Relevant considerations for voluntary downgrades are as follows: Motor vehicle drivers who voluntarily lower their permitted vehicle type must fill out the relevant downgrade application form and submit proof of identity, the original driver's license, and a one-inch white-background photo. They must also provide a medical examination certificate to apply for the downgrade. At the time of application, the driver's license must not have accumulated 12 penalty points in the current scoring cycle, nor be overdue for inspection, seized, detained, suspended, canceled, revoked, or invalidated. Only then can the downgrade be processed. If any of the above situations exist, they must be resolved before applying for the downgrade. The application must be submitted to the local vehicle management office or traffic police branch. After submitting the required materials and paying the relevant fees, the process will be completed, and the new downgraded driver's license can be collected at the designated license issuance location.

[VanIvan]

I remember my driver's license was downgraded when I turned 60, mainly for friends driving large vehicles to take note. Like me, with an A license for long-distance trucks, it automatically switched to a C license only for small cars on my birthday—this is a mandatory traffic regulation to prevent accidents caused by slower reflexes. The government, out of safety concerns, considers the risk too high for older individuals to operate heavy vehicles. Medical check-ups can't be skipped either; an annual health report must be submitted, testing vision, hearing, etc. When I went to the DMV to renew my license, the process was straightforward: bring photos, ID, fill out a form, and the fee was low. Although it's a bit regrettable not being able to drive fleets, my family feels more at ease with the increased safety. I usually advise those driving large vehicles to transition roles early or plan for post-retirement life, not to wait until the last minute to scramble.