Is There A Law That Says A Person Should Stop Driving At A Certain Age?

According to Malaysian laws, the minimum age to apply for a B2 (motorcycle license 250 c.c. and below) and B Full (over 501 c.c. and above) is 16 years. To secure a D (car) license you have to be 17 years old. For other licenses, classes E (lorry) and I (heavy tractor 5000 kg and above) one has to be 21 years and above.

Many readers inquire, is there a law prohibiting one from driving due to old age?

There is no law to say that a person will be prohibited from driving when reaches a certain age. Therefore, a person can continue to keep on driving as long as he or she feels competent enough to do so.

However, certain criteria has to be met. What criteria are we looking for? The first factor should actually be eyesight. As normal person should be able to see a minimum of 23 meters. Maybe, it would seem slightly absurd to expect a 77 year old driver to see that far.

If one needs spectacles or “contact” lens to assist him see thus far, it should be perfectly alright.

Another requirement with regards to eyesight is the ability to see at least 100 metres away. Again, glasses and contact lens come into play.

In reality a driver, irregardless of whatever age he may be, he “must be able” to see the traffic lights well. Being able to do the above would verify a driver’s capability to drive safely.

The second factor which qualifies a driver to drive is hearing. To drive safely, a driver should be able to hear vehicles approaching from the rear, police sirens and ambulance wailing, cars horning at him and so forth.

The ability to do the above well, again qualifies him to drive. What age he is would not be a factor to ban him or her from driving.

However, pertaining to eyesight, is the question of astigmatism. This weakness essentially is “light splitting” causing our vision to blur and thus become poor or “unclear”. This usually occurs when night driving.

In such cases, a driver suffering from “astigmatism”, is therefore advised against driving at night. But day driving would be still alright!

The third criteria to consider would be good reflexes. Irregardless of age of a driver, good reflexes of the arms and legs are extremely important.

Are the footwork still capable of applying brakes fast in emergency situations? Are the hands capable of quick reflexes?

Likewise, are the hands still capable of quick reflexes, especially in changing gears? In short, is a driver, no matter what his age is, still possess “alertness”?

Finally, a person who wishes to drive should be able to remember roads and places well. He should also provide no problem to other road users.

For an old person, driving today can be rather straining or “tiring”. If a driver can take all these in his stride, there is no reason for him to quit driving.

He can keep on driving for as long as he desires, as there is nothing in the Malaysian laws that says a driver cannot drive when he reaches a certain age.

So to all you Malaysian drivers in their 70’s, 80’s or even 90’s, keep on driving, but remember, drive “carefully”. That’s the important thing!

Can a senior citizen get a driving license in Malaysia?

Check out the video interview I did below to learn the answer.

By | 2021-08-22T12:52:32+08:00 August 21st, 2021|Senior Drivers|10 Comments

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10 Comments

  1. Johann March 7, 2010 at 3:33 am - Reply

    My Grandma and Grandpa are still driving and i feel its not safe for them to drive cause firstly.

    My Grandma has very slow reflexes and Secondly she is a bit blur.

    My grandpa has okay reflexes and eyesight but he is deft.

    We have told them to stop driving but they refused. Their Main reason is because they want to Go to Church and Go to Hypermarket to buy Groceries.

    But i see more Old people Driving in Penang Island then anywhere else in Malaysia.

    So what advice do you give?

    • Cikgu Yap March 7, 2010 at 11:18 pm - Reply

      Looks as if your grandma and grandpa need to drive around still. I’m sure they are they best to know if they can still drive or otherwise. Don’t be unduly worried.

      By the way, ask your grandpa to get a hearing aid. It will improve his hearing.

  2. Daniel March 15, 2010 at 2:14 pm - Reply

    Hi,

    I’ll be 17 in July this year.
    I was just wondering, when can i take the Undang Test?
    And if i passed it, when can i take the Practical Test?

    Thank you.

    • Cikgu Yap March 16, 2010 at 7:07 am - Reply

      At 16, you can sit for the undang test. Start learning cars at 17 only.

  3. Johann March 15, 2010 at 4:31 pm - Reply

    Cikgu Yap, my grandpa is already wearing two hearing aids. It doesnt help much, because he cant hear people honing him. Once he drove around with the parking brake on and he didnt even notice. People were horning him but he didnt notice at all.

    • Cikgu Yap March 16, 2010 at 7:10 am - Reply

      Only way to assist your grandpa is, you sitting beside him to act as his hearing aid.

  4. kenneth July 23, 2012 at 7:23 pm - Reply

    hey there. im a new learner and im holding my L license and currently learning driving. can i ask. if i have a L license. Can i drive around my residential area with my L license and a car with P sticker?

    • Cikgu Yap July 24, 2012 at 1:16 pm - Reply

      Answer to both your questions is no. Learn through your instructor.

  5. cuteangel February 6, 2013 at 10:03 am - Reply

    My mum is 67yrs. She doesn’t have any driving licence but she wish to get one B2 licence. I heard that there is simplify driving licence test for elder, is it true?

    • Cikgu Yap February 16, 2013 at 11:18 pm - Reply

      JPJ has a special course and test for the elderly. I suggest you contact any JPJ office for advice.

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