The Czech Ministry of Health has clarified its controversial regulation regarding drivers with heart conditions, bringing relief to seniors over 65. The new guidelines, set to take effect from July 1st, eliminate the requirement for elderly cardiac patients to undergo additional specialist examinations to maintain their driving privileges.
Since January, regulations had expanded the scope of medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, requiring drivers to undergo renewed fitness assessments by specialists. However, this created confusion about its application to elderly cardiac patients, who already follow a mandatory schedule of medical check-ups.
Under current law, drivers aged 65 and above must undergo regular examinations with their general practitioners – first at 65, then at 68, and every two years thereafter. The Ministry now confirms that these regular check-ups are sufficient, making additional cardiologist visits unnecessary unless specifically indicated by the GP.
General practitioners routinely conduct basic examinations of hearing, vision, orientation, and reaction times. The Ministry emphasizes that new specialist examinations aren’t required if the examining physician has access to recent specialist reports and no significant changes in the patient’s condition are suspected.
The impact of this clarification is significant, considering that by the end of 2023, Czech Republic had 1.53 million licensed drivers over 65, representing approximately a quarter of all drivers.