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Changes to licencing seniors coming April 21

March 26, 2014   ·   0 Comments

This is the official answer Alan Masters of Beeton received from the government regarding his opposition to the Ontario government’s intention to introduce a very intensive screening tool for Senior drivers.

Dear Mr. Masters:

Thank you for your letter regarding Ontario’s licence renewal program for drivers age 80 and above. The Honourable Glen Murray, Minister of Transportation, has asked me to respond to your concerns on behalf of the Ministry.

I would like to assure you that the primary goal of all our senior driver programs is to keep seniors driving for as long as they can safely do so.  We are committed to preserving the independence, mobility and dignity of seniors.

To be clear – the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has no plans to introduce the cognitive screening tool known as “SIMARD-MD” into its senior driver licence renewal program.

Ontario’s current licence renewal program applies only to drivers age 80 and above and is an effective, evidenced-based and unbiased approach to driver licensing. It is intended to ensure drivers are fit and able to drive longer and safer.  The program is grounded in extensive evidence showing that senior drivers are at an elevated risk of collision due to age-related factors such as loss of functional abilities, reduction of psychomotor skills, and the development of cognitive dysfunction.

The Ministry regularly undertakes and reviews, research and jurisdictional best practices for possible improvements to its various driver programs.  Based on the Ministry’s most recent evaluation of its licence renewal program for drivers age 80 and over, MTO will be introducing enhancements on April 21st, 2014. These changes will help senior drivers who pose no risk to road safety renew their licences more efficiently and with reduced stress while more objectively identifying those who may no longer be fit to drive.

Currently, in order to renew a licence, every two years senior drivers age 80 and over must successfully complete a: Vision test; Driver record review; Group Education Session; and, Written knowledge test of the rules of the road.

If deemed necessary, the senior driver may also be required to pass a road test prior to renewal. This current renewal process takes roughly three and a half hours to complete.

As of April 21st, 2014, in order to renew a licence, every two years senior drivers will have to successfully complete a: Vision test; Driver record review; Group Education Session; and, Two brief, non-computerized in-class screening exercises.

If deemed necessary, the senior driver may also be required to pass a road test prior to renewal or be asked to provide the Ministry with additional medical information at a later date. This enhanced renewal process will take only about 90 minutes to complete and there will no longer be a need to study for a written knowledge test of the rules of the road.

Please note that this new process will remain as a renewal program. Existing and valid licences will be not taken away during this process but all requirements need to be met before your licence is renewed.  For additional information on these changes (including practice versions of the actual in-class screening exercises), please visit: Ontario.ca/seniordriver

Ultimately, I would like to assure you that MTO makes every effort to ensure that its senior driver programs balance the need for senior mobility and independence with public safety. We strongly believe that the forthcoming enhancements to our renewal process for drivers age 80 and above accomplish this goal.

Thank you again for your enquiry.

Ryan Bailey

Team Leader,

Special Projects

Ministry of Transportation Ontario


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