In recent years, due to the increase in car accidents involving elderly people, more and more people are voluntarily returning their driver's licenses. Although returning your driver's license means you will no longer be able to drive a car, you will receive various benefits. Depending on your age and your own condition, there may be cases where it is better to return your license rather than forcing yourself to continue driving.

We will explain in detail what the benefits of returning your driver's license are, as well as the timing and method of returning it.

5 benefits of returning your driver's license

There are five main benefits to surrendering your driver's license:

• Avoid car accidents
• Reduces the risk of your driver's license being misused
• Eliminates the hassle of renewing licenses
• No need for car expenses
• Benefits such as discounts and gift certificates may be available.

Let's learn about the benefits and find out what benefits you can receive by returning the item.

Avoid car accidents

By surrendering your driver's license, you will no longer have the opportunity to drive a car, and as a result, you will no longer be at risk of getting into a car accident.

When you get into a car accident, you not only injure yourself, but you can also injure the other person. In the case of a car accident involving another person, if you are the at-fault, you may be subject to punishment and may lose social credibility. Furthermore, if the aftereffects of an accident remain, there is a risk that it will affect future life plans.

Car accidents have a high fatality rate, and according to a Cabinet Office announcement, the fatality rate in car accidents caused by drivers aged 75 or older is approximately three times higher than that of drivers under 75. The risks and disadvantages of accidents are very high, so being able to avoid these by surrendering your driver's license is a major benefit.

Reference source: Cabinet Office

Reduce the risk of your driver's license being misused

If you lose your driver's license, it may be misused, but returning it reduces this risk. Your driver's license can be used as photo identification.

In fact, here are some examples of cases involving the misuse of someone else's driver's license:

• take out a loan
• open a bank account
• Issuance of credit card
• Borrowing from consumer finance
• address is specified

Not only are there financial risks as mentioned above, but there is also a possibility of becoming involved in a crime. Surrendering your driver's license also has the great advantage of reducing the risk of losing it.

Eliminates the hassle of renewing licenses

One of the benefits of returning your car is that you won't need to renew your license.

Driver's licenses need to be renewed every 3 to 5 years, and generally applications are only accepted on weekdays. Although they may be accepted on Sundays, they are often busy and the process takes time. If you return your driver's license, you won't have to waste time renewing it.

Renewing your license requires a renewal fee of 2,500 to 3,850 yen, so the advantage of returning your license is that you can reduce the hassle and renewal fee of renewing your license.

No need for car expenses

If you surrender your driver's license, you will no longer need a car unless it is used by your family. This means that you will no longer need to pay the following car-related expenses:

• car tax
• weight tax
• Parking fee
• Gasoline cost
• Insurance fee
• maintenance cost
• Vehicle inspection fee

Even if maintenance costs are low, the cost of owning a car is around 300,000 yen per year. Eliminating this expense would be a huge benefit.

Not being able to use a car can be an inconvenience, but if you live in a city with good transportation access, you won't have to worry too much about not having a car.

Since you can save money on cars, you can have more leeway in your lifestyle, and even if you use a taxi when necessary, it is often cheaper than the annual maintenance cost of a car, so you can get plenty of financial benefits. Masu.

You may also be able to take advantage of benefits such as discounts and gift certificates.

One of the benefits of surrendering your driver's license is that you can receive discounts on public transportation and gift certificates.

For example, if you use the Elderly Driver's License Voluntary Return Support Council or the Silver Supporter System, you can receive various benefits. In addition, some local governments offer special benefits to those who voluntarily surrender their driver's license, and by making good use of the system, you can receive various benefits.

Deadline for returning your driver's license and the time to return it

Some people may be considering returning their driver's license, but are unsure of when to do it.

There is no deadline for returning a driver's license.

There is an age limit for obtaining a driver's license, requiring you to be 18 years of age or older, but there is no limit for returning your license. Please understand that you do not necessarily have to return your license just because you are older, and there is no deadline.

Returning your driver's license is entirely voluntary, and you are free to decide when to return it, regardless of your age.

The recommended timing for renewal is after reaching the age of 70.

If you are considering returning your driver's license, it is recommended that you use the timing of your first license renewal after turning 70 as a guide. According to data released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in 2019, over 420,000 people have returned their licenses in the past 10 years, an increase of approximately eight times. The average age of license surrender is 76.96 years old, and many people return their licenses at the age of 70 or older.

Gold licenses need to be renewed every five years, but those aged 71 need to renew every four years, and those aged 72 and over every three years. Since it takes more time to renew your driver's license, the best time to return your driver's license is when you renew it for the first time after you turn 70.

In addition, many of the benefits that can be obtained by returning your driver's license are available to those over 65 years old, so it is recommended that you decide when to return your driver's license while comparing them with the benefits that you will receive.

Driver's license surrender procedure and required documents

In order to smoothly complete the process of surrendering your driver's license, it is important to understand the procedure. We will explain the entire procedure and the necessary documents.

Return procedure flow

The procedure for returning your driver's license is as follows:

1. At the return procedure counter, notify the person that you wish to return the item.
2. Fill out the required documents
3. Receive a driving record certificate

The procedure can be done at a license renewal center, a driver's license testing center, or a police station. However, if you have lost your license, please note that you can only apply at a driver's license testing center.

Generally, the person returning the license will carry out the procedure themselves, but if the license is still valid and in hand, it is possible to issue a power of attorney and have a representative carry out the procedure on your behalf.

The opening hours vary depending on the return location.

*Reference: Metropolitan Police Department

Reception hours and days off vary depending on location, so be sure to check in advance.

Documents required for return procedure

The following documents are required to surrender your driver's license:

• driver's license
• 1 photo for application
• Power of attorney (if requesting a representative)

Additionally, a return fee of 1,100 yen is required. You will no longer be able to drive from the moment you hand in your license, so either have someone else drive you to the venue or use public transportation to get to the venue. A power of attorney is not required and should be prepared only if the return procedure is performed by a representative.

Disadvantages of surrendering your driver's license

There are many benefits to surrendering your driver's license, but you should also be aware that there are also some disadvantages.

• It costs money to reacquire
• Life becomes inconvenient in some areas
• Fewer jobs to choose from

Make sure you understand not only the benefits but also the disadvantages before deciding whether or not to return your driver's license.

It costs money to re-obtain your license

To re-obtain your driver's license, you must go through the same process as when you first obtained your license, such as attending a Driving Camp school or taking a driving course. Therefore, it will cost you 200,000 to 300,000 yen or more to re-obtain your license.

There is also a way to pass the driver's license exam on the first try without going to a driving school, but even in this case you will need to pay around 30,000 yen.

Life becomes inconvenient in some areas

If you surrender your driver's license, your life may become inconvenient depending on the area you live in. For example, in areas where there are few trains or buses, or where stations or bus stops are far away, it is often a hassle to get around.

There is not much of a problem in urban areas, but it is important to understand that life can be inconvenient in suburban areas where transportation facilities are not available.

Fewer jobs to choose from

One of the disadvantages of returning your car is that you will be unable to drive a car, which will reduce the number of jobs you can choose from. Depending on the type of job, a driver's license is often required, reducing the number of job options that require the use of a car.

Especially if you want to continue working even after you get older, the types of jobs you can choose from may be severely limited due to your age. There aren't many jobs to choose from, and not having a driver's license means your options are even fewer.

People who should consider surrendering their driver's license

It is not just the elderly who should surrender their driver's license. Anyone who is not suited to driving, regardless of age, should consider surrendering their license.

The following is an example of a person who is not suitable for driving.

• people who can't control their emotions
• impatient and aggressive person
• a person who often forgets things
• People whose ability to drive is affected by after-effects of illness

If you think any of the above conditions apply to you, or if someone has pointed this out to you, you should consider returning your driver's license, regardless of your age.

people who can't control their emotions

There are times when you are forced to make calm decisions in order to drive a car safely. Therefore, people who are passionate and easily irritated, or who are easily depressed, are unable to make calm decisions and are more likely to cause accidents.

Car accidents do not always involve a single person, and there is a possibility that people around you may be involved. If it is difficult for you to always remain calm, we recommend that you return your driver's license.

impatient and aggressive person

In order to avoid car accidents, it is important to yield to each other when driving. People who are impatient or aggressive tend to be unable to yield and drive dangerously, which can sometimes lead to accidents. Aggressive driving, which has become a problem in recent years, is often caused by impatient or aggressive personalities.

In order to avoid dangerous driving, you should consider returning your license.

a person who often forgets things

To drive a car safely, you must remember traffic rules and signs.

Therefore, people who frequently forget things are not suitable to drive and should consider returning their driver's license for safety reasons.

For people aged 70 and over to renew their driver's license, there is a senior citizen training course. Those eligible for the elderly training course will not be able to renew their licenses if they are diagnosed with dementia by a doctor.

Forgetfulness poses a significant driving risk, so if you have even the slightest bit of concern, you should consider returning your license.

People whose ability to drive is affected by after-effects of illness

If you have after-effects from an accident or illness, you should consider returning your driver's license. Depending on the nature of the after-effects, such as memory loss, effects on eyesight, or difficulty moving your arms and legs freely, they may affect your driving.

Also, if you have any residual symptoms, please consult your doctor or check with the ``Safe Driving Consultation'' counter. Returning the vehicle is a personal choice, so even if it is determined that there are no after-effects, there is an option to return the vehicle if you are concerned about it.

If you are unsure about driving, consider returning your driver's license.

There is no deadline or age limit for surrendering your driver's license, so older people who are worried about driving or who are unfit to drive should consider surrendering their license.

There are many benefits to surrendering your driver's license, such as avoiding the risk of accidents and reducing maintenance costs. Of course, there are also disadvantages to surrendering your driver's license, so be sure to understand both before considering surrendering.