Hong Kong to mandate health checks for commercial drivers aged 65 and above

Key facts

• Hong Kong will mandate health checks for commercial drivers aged 65 and above.
• The age threshold for these checks will be lowered from 70 to 65.
• Driving licenses for this age group will be valid for one year, requiring annual renewal.
• Updated medical guidelines will include enhanced vision and hearing standards, and a revised list of disqualifying conditions.
• The government aims to implement these changes by mid-next year.

Hong Kong is set to implement mandatory health checks for commercial vehicle drivers aged 65 and older, a move aimed at bolstering road safety. The proposed legislation will lower the age threshold for these assessments from 70 to 65 and reduce the driving license validity period to one year, necessitating annual medical certifications.

Undersecretary for Transport and Logistics Liu Chun-san informed the Legislative Council that the government is finalizing the details of these new arrangements. These include updating the list of medical conditions and physical disabilities that could affect driving capability, as well as enhancing vision and hearing standards. A register of doctors will also be established to guide drivers in selecting practitioners.

The Transport Advisory Committee has expressed support for these proposals. The government plans to submit the legislative proposals in the first quarter of this year, with the aim of enforcing the new regulations by the middle of next year. To facilitate the transition, a trial medical assessment program will be offered to drivers in the fourth quarter of this year to familiarize them with the updated guidelines.

Some industry figures, like Wong Po-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Owners’ Association, have voiced concerns, suggesting older drivers are being unfairly targeted and preferring the status quo. However, the government maintains that these stricter measures are crucial for road safety, especially given an aging workforce in the commercial driving sector.