New medical standards for Jersey driving licences come into force

Saturday 05 October 2024

New medical standards and requirements for local driving licences have come into force today in a bid to bring the island in line with the UK and EU regulations.

Under the new changes, drivers of heavy goods vehicles who are over the age of 45 will now need to have a medical certificate before they can renew their licence.

More broadly, the changes will impact when drivers must submit medical certificates, the validity of their driving licences, and the medical requirements for some conditions — including vision, epilepsy, and diabetes.

These new rules are aimed at improving road safety and ensuring that Jersey's driving standards meet international standards.

A spokesperson from Driver and Vehicle Standards said: "Jersey driving licences are internationally recognised but exchange agreements with other jurisdictions, such as the UK and the EU, may be at risk if our standards are not aligned with those jurisdictions.

"It is essential, therefore, that we update our medical standards."

However, critics have labelled the legislation "ageist", and argued the island is simply "copying the UK".

Over the summer, a petition launched by professional driver Alan Lloyd challenged the new requirements, arguing they are "not needed" and will negatively impact his livelihood and that of other drivers.

He said: "There is no need for the changes, especially in relation to vision, as there are people who have driven professionally for a long time with one eye or reduced vision and never had a problem."

Former Senator Ben Shenton also criticised the move as being inappropriate for "tiny Jersey".

He said: "The law may be right for the UK but is not right for tiny Jersey, as it is ageist, unproductive, bureaucratic, lacks logic and will cause problems for the third sector in years to come as licence holders are unlikely to go through the bureaucracy of medicals and form-filling just to drive a minibus voluntarily for a charity.

"The retirement age in Jersey is now 67, and there is no body of evidence to demonstrate that once you attain the age of 66 the slope of decline becomes so steep that suddenly it requires an annual medical."

He added: "It really is the most dire piece of legislation, but we are copying the UK, so what do you expect?

"This change will also form part of our road safety measures. The safety of all road users must remain a priority."

Under the new system, drivers are now classified into two groups.

Group 1 covers standard vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, with licences valid for 10 years.

Group 2 covers larger vehicles like trucks and buses, and licences will be valid for five years for drivers over 45 and require annual renewal for those over 65.

Group 2 licences have stricter medical requirements.

Drivers must now be able to read a number plate from 20 metres and meet new visual sharpness and field of vision requirements. Group 2 licences will not be issued to those with sight loss in one eye.

For epilepsy, Group 1 drivers need to be seizure-free for 12 months, while Group 2 drivers must be seizure-free and off epilepsy medication for 5 years.

For diabetes, new standards apply to those treated with insulin or other hypoglycaemic drugs, with stricter requirements for Group 2 licences.

More information about the new requirements can be found online at gov.je.