Kazakhstan tightens rules for elderly drivers - where control is stricter and where it is softer

Tengrinews.kz — Starting August 25, Kazakhstan drivers over the age of 65 will be required to undergo regular medical re-examinations. Tengrinews.kz editorial team decided to find out how common this practice is globally and how other countries approach older drivers.
Under the new regulations, drivers over 65, as well as drivers with disabilities, are required to undergo a medical examination every two years.
Information regarding mandatory medical exams will be automatically shared between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, ensuring driver health data is updated in the central database.
If the system contains no data confirming that a driver is medically fit to operate a vehicle, or if it indicates medical contraindications, this will serve as grounds for the termination of driving privileges.
The system will store records of both drivers cleared to operate vehicles and those found to have medical conditions that prevent them from driving.
These innovations were not introduced without reason. While age itself is not considered grounds for restricting driving privileges, experts note that vision, reaction time, focus, and cognitive functions can decline as people get older.
For this reason, many countries have implemented additional medical checks or specific renewal procedures for elderly motorists.
Japan
In the Land of the Rising Sun, drivers must undergo a cognitive assessment if they are 75 years of age or older. According to dataJ apan's National Police Agency, the test can be taken up to six months before the driver's license expires.
Note: Cognitive assessment is a simple method of checking a subject's memory and decision-making abilities; it is not a substitute for a diagnosis or a formal medical examination conducted by a doctor.
The test consists of four stages that evaluate memory and temporal orientation. First, participants are given an attention task where they must find and mark specific numbers as quickly as possible. Next, they are shown cards with images of various objects and asked to recall them from memory after a short delay.
If a participant cannot recall all the images independently, the examiner provides hints by naming the category of the object, such as "animal" or "vehicle." This helps determine if such cues assist in memory retrieval.
An example illustration from a Japanese cognitive ability test
Finally, participants are asked several simple questions regarding the current date, day of the week, and time. Experts use this to assess memory, attention, and orientation—skills directly linked to safe driving.
Total scores are calculated upon completion. Based on the result, a determination is made regarding whether the individual is at risk of developing dementia.
United Kingdom
In the UK, the approach is different. Upon reaching 70 years of age, a driving license automatically expires, though this does not constitute a ban on driving.
To maintain their right to drive, motorists must renew their license every three years free of charge.
During renewal, drivers self-certify that their health allows them to operate a vehicle safely. If an individual is diagnosed with certain medical conditions, they are required to report this to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
If necessary, the agency may request additional information from a physician or refer the driver for a medical examination.
Germany
In Germany, by contrast, age alone is not a basis for additional screening.
For Category B license holders, there are no mandatory medical exams or cognitive tests after reaching a certain age. The driver's license remains valid indefinitely.
However, authorities uphold the principle of personal responsibility. It is expected that drivers assess their own health and stop driving if it could compromise road safety.
While elderly motorists in Germany are encouraged to voluntarily undergo medical check-ups and driving refresher courses, these checks are not mandatory.
The United States
In the United States, there are no uniform rules for elderly drivers; requirements are set by individual states. In most states, age itself does not restrict the right to drive.
However, more than half of the states change renewal rules once a certain age is reached. Most commonly, drivers must renew their licenses more frequently, visit a DMV office in person rather than renewing remotely, or pass a mandatory vision test.
In some states, if there are concerns regarding health, officials may require an additional medical evaluation, a written exam, or a driving skills test.
Singapore
In Singapore, drivers are also subject to additional checks upon reaching a certain age.
Approximately two months before their 65th birthday, drivers receive a notification to undergo a medical examination. Upon successful completion of the assessment, they can renew their driver's license.
If authorities have doubts regarding whether a person's health allows for safe driving, they may be referred for additional medical evaluation.
If a driver fails to confirm their fitness to operate a vehicle, their driver's license may be terminated.
Is there a maximum age limit for driving in Kazakhstan?
According to the Police Department, there is no maximum age for driving; a person can operate a vehicle at 80 or even 90 years old. However, certain restrictions do apply.

"In Kazakhstan, you must be at least 18 years old to obtain a driver's license. Meanwhile, the law does not establish an upper age limit. Nevertheless, older drivers may face certain health-related restrictions based on medical findings when replacing a license or retaking exams," the police stated.

Medical conditions that prohibit driving
If a driver has any of the following conditions, a license will not be issued, or it will be revoked during a routine medical check-up:
Mental health disorders

Chronic mental illnesses with severe symptoms (schizophrenia, delusional disorders).
Affective disorders (severe depression, bipolar disorder).
Personality disorders (e.g., antisocial behavior).
Intellectual disabilities.
Drug addiction and alcoholism (if remission is less than 2 years).

Neurological diseases

Epilepsy.

Vision impairments

Achromatopsia (total color blindness).
Blindness in both eyes.

Thus, Kazakhstan does not impose an age-based ban on driving, despite initial appearances. The new regulations, effective August 25, do not strip Kazakhstanis of the right to drive after 65. They simply introduce additional oversight regarding the drivers' health status.
As international practice shows, this approach is becoming the most common: restrictions are increasingly linked not to age itself, but to medical indicators and an individual's ability to safely operate a vehicle.