Ontario Considers Enhanced Road Test for Drivers Over 80, According to Auditor General Report

Ontario is contemplating the introduction of an enhanced road test for drivers aged 80 and above and is exploring ways to discourage stunt driving. The annual report from Nick Stavropoulos, the acting auditor general of the province, raises concerns about the testing and training of certain drivers, prompting a review of some rules by the Ministry of Transportation.

Currently, Ontario drivers must renew their licenses every two years once they turn 80. The renewal process includes attending a senior driver education session, featuring a vision test and a cognitive test involving drawing a clock.

However, the auditor general’s report highlighted that the existing test does not assess critical factors like motor function and coordination, concentration, hearing ability, spatial perception, and reaction time. Research conducted in 2020 revealed that over one-third of drivers aged 80 and older who passed the clock-drawing test failed a road test.

The Ministry of Transportation is considering the introduction of an enhanced road test for elderly drivers in 2026. This enhanced test would combine standard highway driving maneuvers with additional cognitive assessments to evaluate safe driving.

Bill VanGorder, chief advocacy and education officer with the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, suggested that driver re-testing should not be tied to a specific age, as it could be considered ageism. He emphasized the importance of regular driver assessments throughout a person’s life.

The auditor general also recommended medical assessments for all drivers aged 80 and older, as is required in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Additionally, the auditor’s analysis revealed that drivers aged 80 and older who passed the cognitive test had a lower collision rate than the general driving population. However, when they were involved in accidents, they were significantly more likely to have caused them.

The auditor general’s report also highlighted that individuals who received license suspensions for dangerous driving had a fatal collision rate six times higher than other drivers. Despite this, the Ministry of Transportation rarely requires dangerous drivers to undergo retraining.

While the ministry mandates remedial programs for drivers with two alcohol- or drug-related license suspensions, only a small percentage of drivers with dangerous driving offenses are required to complete such courses.

The ministry indicated that it is conducting a review to explore effective countermeasures against high-risk driving, including driver retraining, and will determine the role of retraining in Ontario’s demerit point system based on the review’s findings.