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Original poster

To think ROSPA should make it clear that Older Driver Assessments might result in a loss of license?

292 replies

sprucinitup · 22/02/2026 19:27

An elderly relative was recently diagnosed with a medical condition which does not result in automatic loss of driving license, but nevertheless, his GP recommended that he undertake a free Older Driver Assessment, saying he thought it might be "helpful". He gave my relative a leaflet which also described the assessment as "helpful". My relative booked an assessment. It consisted of online cognitive tests and a practical driving assessment. At the end of this, my relative was told he was driving too hesitantly. But rather than offering the "re-training" mentioned in the leaflet, they removed his license.

He is understandably very upset about this, because he wasn't warned that loss of license was a potential outcome.

This is the website: https://www.olderdrivers.org.uk/driver-assessment/ . If there is info on there about loss of license then it must be well buried because I can't see it.

He is very responsible, and will of course accept the decision, but aibu to think that there should be a more transparent process, so that elderly folk don't feel tricked into giving up their license by stealth?

Driver Assessment | Older Drivers

Advice for older drivers to help them drive safely for longer.

https://www.olderdrivers.org.uk/driver-assessment

OP posts:
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JenniferBooth · 22/02/2026 19:45

Barnbrack · 22/02/2026 19:44

Or might not have had the assessment, be driving unsafely and lead to the death of others.

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Like the school run parents and sales reps do

Womaninhouse17 · 22/02/2026 19:44

sprucinitup · 22/02/2026 19:42

I expect that he should be told he should have an assessment and warned that it might result in loss of license. The license outcome would have been the same, but he would have felt more in control of the process, not tricked into it.

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But he might not have done the assessment then, and would be a danger to himself and others on the road.

JenniferBooth · 22/02/2026 19:44

sprucinitup · 22/02/2026 19:42

I expect that he should be told he should have an assessment and warned that it might result in loss of license. The license outcome would have been the same, but he would have felt more in control of the process, not tricked into it.

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I agree with the way you have put it. If this had happened with anything else and/or happened to a woman people would be screaming no informed consent

Barnbrack · 22/02/2026 19:44

sprucinitup · 22/02/2026 19:42

I expect that he should be told he should have an assessment and warned that it might result in loss of license. The license outcome would have been the same, but he would have felt more in control of the process, not tricked into it.

Show quote history

Or might not have had the assessment, be driving unsafely and lead to the death of others.

Original poster
sprucinitup · 22/02/2026 19:43

Womaninhouse17 · 22/02/2026 19:41

Unfortunately, but understandably, a lot of people continue driving when they are no longer fit to do so. Often they don't realise, and nobody wants to give up their independence. I think older people (and I am one of them!) should be regularly assessed as a matter of course.

I agree they should be assessed, but not in an underhand way.

OP posts:
Glaspeated · 22/02/2026 19:43

I was ready to tell you how unreasonable you are but reading the information, I actually agree - it should be clearer. Notwithstanding that fact, if someone’s driving is so poor their licence has been revoked then I suggest that’s the best for everyone all round. Even if there’s re-training available, the licence needs revoking pending the re-training.

Original poster
sprucinitup · 22/02/2026 19:42

Mirandawrongs · 22/02/2026 19:38

what did they expect to happen?
If their dr has told them to be assessed then they needed to be assessed.

are you saying that if your relative was aware they might lose their license they wouldn’t have gone ahead with the assessment?
thats so dangerous.

you could take it as “at least they are not driving and putting themselves and others at risk”
look around you, everyone knows a few people who shouldn’t be driving, your relative is one of them

I expect that he should be told he should have an assessment and warned that it might result in loss of license. The license outcome would have been the same, but he would have felt more in control of the process, not tricked into it.

OP posts:
Womaninhouse17 · 22/02/2026 19:41

Unfortunately, but understandably, a lot of people continue driving when they are no longer fit to do so. Often they don't realise, and nobody wants to give up their independence. I think older people (and I am one of them!) should be regularly assessed as a matter of course.

Lougle · 22/02/2026 19:40

Mirandawrongs · 22/02/2026 19:38

what did they expect to happen?
If their dr has told them to be assessed then they needed to be assessed.

are you saying that if your relative was aware they might lose their license they wouldn’t have gone ahead with the assessment?
thats so dangerous.

you could take it as “at least they are not driving and putting themselves and others at risk”
look around you, everyone knows a few people who shouldn’t be driving, your relative is one of them

It sounds like assessment was offered as a 'helpful' thing to give tips and hints. The websites talk about strengths and weaknesses. They talk about a report detailing the findings of assessment but they don't say 'your licence could be revoked.'

ShesnoGeordielass · 22/02/2026 19:40

Either way, he did not give informed consent to the assessment.

Mirandawrongs · 22/02/2026 19:38

what did they expect to happen?
If their dr has told them to be assessed then they needed to be assessed.

are you saying that if your relative was aware they might lose their license they wouldn’t have gone ahead with the assessment?
thats so dangerous.

you could take it as “at least they are not driving and putting themselves and others at risk”
look around you, everyone knows a few people who shouldn’t be driving, your relative is one of them

Barnbrack · 22/02/2026 19:37

The point is to identify drivers who are too inform to be driving. As someone with experience of people who undertake these tests for medical reasons for the most part they are incredibly lenient, I can't believe the levels someone can still be driving at so if they've said he shouldn't drive they are correct. And his GP was correct, it IS helpful, he's no longer a danger to himself and others on the road.

Womaninhouse17 · 22/02/2026 19:34

You say 'they' removed his licence. Who is 'they'?

Thundertoast · 22/02/2026 19:33

Can he re do the test and get his licence back?

Lougle · 22/02/2026 19:32

I was going to say that you're being unreasonable, but I've clicked through all the links on that page and even on the detailed information about driving assessments it doesn't say that a licence can be revoked.

SyntheticFluff · 22/02/2026 19:31

If it was made absolutely clear that there is a possibility they could have their licence removed, then it might mean a lot of older people wouldn't go for it and they'd continue driving when they shouldn't.

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