China will extend licence age limits for drivers of medium-sized and large buses as well as trucks, as part of broader efforts to address the challenges posed by an aging population, falling birth rate, and a shrinking labour pool.
In a bid to maintain the stability of its extensive transportation network, China has decided to increase the age limit for truck and bus drivers. This change is seen as essential for keeping experienced workers in the job market amidst demographic shifts.
Keeping older transportation workers on the payroll will be key to helping maintain stability across China’s vast transportation system in the medium-term as the sector plans to adopt more autonomous vehicles.
The move also aligns with the country’s transition towards more automated transport solutions, where seasoned drivers could play a significant role in implementation and safety oversight.
Just over a decade ago, the capital Beijing allowed male bus drivers to retire five years earlier – at the age of 55 – for health reasons, as it was concerned about operational safety.
However, due to the declining workforce, this policy has been reconsidered.
From next year, the maximum age that a person can apply for a licence to drive and operate medium-sized or large buses, as well as trucks, will be raised to 63 from 60, the Public Security Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Furthermore, drivers over the age of 63 will have the opportunity to extend their licences for an additional three years, contingent upon passing medical examinations and cognitive assessments focusing on memory, situational judgment, and reaction time.
Earlier this year, China’s top legislative body passed a proposal to raise the national retirement age in a historic move.
This retirement age reform includes men retiring at 63 instead of 60, women in white-collar jobs retiring at 58 instead of 55, and women in blue-collar jobs having their retirement age increased to 55 from 50.
China’s retirement age is currently among the lowest globally.
The phased implementation of these changes, starting from January 1, will unfold over 15 years, aiming to synchronize with neighboring countries like Japan and South Korea, which are also dealing with similar demographic challenges.
