The exemption which allows people over the age of 70 to apply for or renew a driving licence to do so without a medical report has been extended, due to the rise in Covid-19 cases.
The extension was confirmed by Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State with responsibility for international and road transport, earlier this morning (Monday, January 11).
“This means that persons of 70 years of age or over can apply for, and renew, their driving licence without the need to submit a medical report, on the condition that they do not have an identified or specified illness and are not applying for a truck or bus category,” the minister explained.
This extended measure will eliminate the need for our drivers over the age of 70 from having to make an unnecessary journey to their GP, or to the NDLS [National Driver Licence Service] centre, as we continue to work to minimise social interactions in our efforts to tackle Covid-19.
The exemption will now be extended until June 2021.
Minister Naughton outlined: “All drivers who are over 70 years of age will be contacted directly with an application pack which will allow them to apply for a new licence by post.”
These applications packs will be sent out on the coming weeks, the minister noted.
They will include a partially completed application form that the applicant must complete. Drivers that have the option to apply online can still do so at any time, rather than fill out the application form.