The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (January 28) by the Government on the proposal to enhance the requirements for physical fitness certification of driving licence applicants and holders.

     The Government attaches great importance to road safety and the physical fitness of drivers. In light of the ageing population and the increasing number of aged commercial vehicle (CV) drivers, the Transport Department (TD) reviewed the physical fitness certification requirements and mechanism, and put forth enhancement measures to further safeguard road safety.

     At the meeting, the Government outlined the legislative proposals to tighten the medical fitness requirements. These include (1) enhancing physical fitness requirements by updating the diseases and physical disabilities prohibiting driving, with updated vision standards and additional items applicable to CV drivers; (2) more stringent certification for CV drivers by lowering the age threshold for submitting medical examination certificates from 70 to 65 and shortening the full driving licence validity period to one year to necessitate annual medical check-ups; and (3) empowering the Commissioner for Transport to require reports from any driver with dubious health conditions, with non-compliance potentially resulting in licence cancellation or suspension.

     Members were also briefed of the Government's preparatory work in taking forward the proposed measures, including formulation of a comprehensive set of medical guidelines and new medical examination certificates, and the refinement thereof after considering the views of various stakeholders and the feedback collected from the trial health assessment.

         The TAC Chairman, Professor Wong Sze-chun, said, "Members noted with appreciation the Government's comprehensive review and expressed views on the legislative amendment proposals. We support the Government's direction to adopt a more stringent physical fitness certification requirement for aged CV drivers, including lowering the age threshold to 65 and requiring annual check-ups. A more robust assessment mechanism is essential for enhancing road safety. The more frequent check-ups will raise CV drivers' awareness of their own physical conditions, and facilitate early treatment for those with remediable conditions, thereby extending the safe driving years of aged drivers and supporting the sustainable operation of the industry. Members fully support the Government in moving forward with the legislative amendments and stepping up publicity to ensure the industry is well-prepared for the new requirements."

     The Government will continue with the work and plans to report to the Panel on Transport of the Legislative Council (LegCo) the results of the trial and the legislative proposal in the first quarter of this year, and submit the subsidiary legislation amendments to the LegCo with a view to implementing the new arrangements as soon as possible following the completion of the legislative amendments.

Ends/Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:00

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