Effective this year, drivers aged 65 and above in the Czech Republic are obligated to possess a doctor’s certification affirming their fitness to operate a vehicle. While the longstanding mandate to carry a driver’s license at all times has been lifted, older drivers must ensure they carry the requisite medical documentation. Failure to do so could lead to penalties and potential reductions in insurance compensation in the event of an accident.

František Jemelka, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, outlined the protocol for mandatory medical examinations for senior drivers, emphasizing that the first examination occurs at 65, followed by subsequent assessments at 68, and thereafter every two years. Compliance is crucial, with examinations ideally scheduled around the driver’s birthday or six months prior. These examinations serve to tailor driving regulations based on individual health conditions, with doctors empowered to impose restrictions such as driving distance limitations in the fitness certification.

Non-compliance with medical examination requirements does not affect compulsory insurance, though the conditions for accident insurance may vary based on individual insurance contracts, according to Tomáš Pavlík, spokesperson for the Czech Insurance Association. While some doctors may issue reminders via SMS or email, drivers bear the primary responsibility for tracking examination dates.

In the event of non-compliance, recent adjustments to the point system and fines offer some leniency. Administrative penalties now entail half the previous maximum fine of up to 5000 crowns, with on-the-spot fines capped at 1500 CZK or a mere warning.

Presently, drivers must present the original fitness certification during road checks. The Ministry of Transport has advocated for a streamlined solution involving the Ministry of Health providing fitness data directly to the driver’s register, akin to driver’s license information. Such a system would eliminate the need for drivers to carry physical documents, as authorities could verify fitness status through a centralized database during routine checks.

Article by Prague Forum