Posts falsely claim over-65s must undergo eye check to renew Malaysian driving licence

The claim was shared here on Facebook on July 20, 2023.

The post partly reads: "Notice / Hi seniors, those above 65 yrs will need to get eye tests & medical from 2024 to get your driving licence re-newed. Go to jpj now to get your licence extended at the warga Emas counter. We just did it. Very fast. Less than 15 mins."

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Screenshot of the misleading post, taken on July 31, 2023

"Warga emas" is a Malay term for "senior citizens", while "jpj" refers to the Malaysian Road Transport Department, which is responsible for issuing driving licences.

The claim was also shared on Facebook here and here.

In September 2021, Malaysian police called for restrictions on the number of driving licences issued to senior citizens, in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents (archived link).

Police also proposed senior citizens undergo a medical examination before being granted a driving licence.

However, as of August 3, 2023, the proposal has not materialised.

'No examinations required'

The Road Transport Department has said the claim circulating on social media is "fake news" (archived link).

"The Malaysian Road Transport Department hereby wishes to announce that the statement that has been shared on WhatsApp requiring that Senior Citizens aged 65 and over need to undergo an eye examination and medical examination starting in 2024 IS NOT TRUE," the department wrote on its Facebook page on July 20, 2023.

"In that regard, renewal of driving licences for senior citizens is as usual."

It shared a screengrab of the false claim, with a red stamp over it that says "FAKE" in Malay.

The Road Transport Department's website does not mention any requirement for eye examinations or medical examinations for driving licence renewals on its "Renewal of Competent Driving License" page (archived link).

The web page simply notes that the renewal duration allowed is up to five years and that drivers applying for renewal must not be blacklisted.

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Screenshot of the "Renewal of Competent Driving License" page of the Road Transport Department's website

Driving licences can also be renewed at post offices, where drivers need to present their identification card, original driving licence and renewal slip (archived link). There is no mention of any examinations as a requirement.

As of August 3, 2023, there has not been any changes to the requirements to renew driving licences.