Why and how is Japan making its driving skills test tougher for older drivers?

Japan plans to toughen driving tests for senior citizens, who have an excessive accident rate compared to other drivers. The current test, introduced in 2022, is mandatory for those aged 75 and older with certain traffic violations. However, the test will become stricter starting in June 2027 after a study revealed a 2.8 times higher accident rate among older drivers who passed the existing test.

Under the revised system, a new "direction change" maneuver will assess a driver's ability to perform multiple operations simultaneously. This maneuver involves reversing while turning the steering wheel and then moving off in the opposite direction. Any contact with an object or driving the wheel off the course will result in a 20-point deduction.

Additionally, a new category called "failure to check for safety," such as neglecting to confirm the surroundings to the left and right, will carry a 10-point deduction. A serious failure to stop before entering an intersecting roadway will lead to a 40-point deduction and automatic failure.

An analysis of 147 test-takers showed that 93.9% would pass under the current test. However, under the revised scoring system, the pass rate would drop by 12.3 percentage points to 81.6%. With an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 drivers potentially failing the test, there is no limit to the number of retakes. The revised test aims to reduce accidents, but discussions among experts have also considered extending the test requirement to all drivers above a certain age, regardless of traffic violations, and addressing the spread of driver-assistance features and autonomous driving technology.