Japan to toughen skills test for elderly drivers in bid to curb accidents

TOKYO - The National Police Agency plans to toughen the mandatory skills test for drivers aged 75 or older with a history of certain traffic violations when they seek to renew their license, after data showed the current system fails to properly flag high-risk drivers.

A report by the agency's expert panel released Thursday recommended additional measures should be implemented such as driving maneuvers to verify the proper operation of the accelerator and brake pedals. The agency will proceed with necessary regulatory revisions and aim to implement the changes in 2027.