China's Ministry of Public Security held a press conference on Thursday, announcing 12 new traffic safety measures. One of the new measures relaxed the age for applying for a small car driver's license and cancels the upper limit of 70 years old.

Under the new system, people over 70 can now apply for licenses to drive small cars, small automatic vehicles and mopeds after passing a series of tests, including memory, judgment and reflex tests as well as physical examination, which they will need to renew annually to procure a physical examination certificate.

The minimum age for applying for a large passenger car and tractor driver's license was also reduced from 26 and 24 to 22 years old. Meanwhile, the upper limit for applying for the license has been adjusted from 50 to 60. The number of years of driving experience needed to move from a tractor license to a large passenger vehicle license has also been cut from five to three years.

The reform also expands the scope of medical examination institutions. With the development of China's public health undertakings, the professional level and service capabilities of medical institutions have improved significantly, the coverage of urban and rural areas has become wider and more medical institutions have the ability to conduct medical examinations.

For those who need to pass a physical examination to apply for a motor vehicle driver's license, the approved institutions will also be expanded from medical institutions at the county level or above the regimental level to hospitals, township health centers and community health service centers. 

"As the living conditions in China continue to improve, the average life expectancy has continued to increase, and in 2019, the average life expectancy in China has reached 77 years," said Liu Yupeng, deputy director of China's Transportation Administration of the Ministry of Public Security.

"The increase in the average life expectancy of residents and the improvement in their health have led to a continuous increase in the demand for driving and travel in the production and life of the people," said Liu.