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Italy scraps plan to ban over-85s from motorways
Italy has dropped proposals that would have barred drivers aged 85 and over from motorways, restricted them to a 62-mile radius and imposed a zero-alcohol limit. The government will instead introduce more thorough medical checks for older drivers.
By Charlotte Redford · 3 min read
Italy has abandoned plans that would have automatically barred drivers aged 85 and over from using motorways, imposed a 62-mile travel limit and required them to maintain zero blood alcohol while driving. The proposals, which emerged during a rewrite of the country's road rules, have been removed from the draft at the express request of Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, according to Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Under the original draft, drivers reaching 85 would have received three restrictions automatically when renewing their licences: losing freeway access, being unable to venture more than 100 km (62 miles) from home, and facing a zero-alcohol requirement. There was an escape hatch, however. Seniors could have asked their local medical commission to reassess those restrictions, provided they granted access to electronic health records. The commission would then evaluate their physical and mental abilities and potentially loosen or remove individual limits.
The ministry says the measures had already been removed from the main section of the proposed rules at Salvini's express request, and lingering references elsewhere in the draft will now disappear too, according to Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. Instead, the ministry says more thorough medical examinations are planned to ensure the safety of those aged over 85 and of all road users. The precise new procedure has not been finalised, though proposals submitted to Italy's Senate have included practical driving tests at ages 85 or 90 as conditions for renewal.
Italy already shortens licence renewal periods as drivers age. Ordinary car and motorcycle licences last 10 years until age 50, five years between 50 and 70, three years from 70 to 80, then two years after 80, according to Auto Motor und Sport. Medical certification of physical and mental fitness is already required for older drivers.
The rulebook overhaul is not only about seniors. Italy also plans tougher restrictions on smartphone use behind the wheel and while pedestrians cross roads, although hands-free equipment remains permitted when safely used. Other changes reportedly address driving behaviour, including allowing cars to overtake on the right and motorcycles to skip lines by riding on the shoulder — a common practice already, even though technically illegal.
The decision means Italian grandparents can continue to drive on the autostrada without the threat of automatic restrictions. The debate over age-based driving limits is likely to continue, with the government now focusing on more rigorous medical assessments rather than blanket bans.
