It should be mandatory to retake a driving test again age 70 and every five years after that

@InSlovakiaTheCapitalOfCourseIsBratislava I don't think we can generalise like that, there are plenty people who are old even into their 80s thst still drive perfectly fine. And plenty people of all ages that are terrible drivers. I know someone who is early 80s, but looks like they are in their 60s and still climbs mountains. We can't label old people as bad drivers.

So you would support suspending every over 70 year olds license for an unknown duration while they wait for a driving test, despite the vast majority being perfectly good drivers?

Unfortunately there are many elderly people who continue to drive when they really shouldnt. They are desperate to maintain their atonomy. There is no obligatory health test at any age in the UK..it's basically self certified. The result is that people with poor sight or demencia or other impediment to drive continue hilding licences long after it's safe to drive.

In Spain everyone has to pass a health test (visión and reaction speed etc) at 70 and renew their licence for 5 years only. It's tough for many pensiones but it does make the roads safer.

Oh thanks. Ageism on full display. 70’s too young for a start. If you’re going to run with this, 80 is more realistic. You would have to put a whole infrastructure in to deal with this. Also, older people have fewer accidents than younger people but because they are frail, the consequences are worse.

I would suggest a mandatory sight hearing and reactions test - that could be done by Boots/Spec savers etc so as to not create further delays in driving tests

Sight tests are on their way but opticians can’t remove licences.

Let's modify the suggestion a bit, let's stick to regular assessments that assess the important factors rather than bullying elder people into torturous younger person driving tests that aren't suitable for people who haven't had one of those tests or driving lessons for countless decades! They are horrible things that would steal independence! It's like asking you to retake GCSE exams at 75!

My late grandad became a liability in his 80s but an assessment was all it would've needed..
Do you realise the size of the backlog of the driving test system? New drivers are already waiting countless month's! It's not a working system now and you want to increase that backlog to years? And destroy the independence and mental health of elder drivers when it's not necessary much of the time! They couldn't do that test no more than you could sit a GCSE! Assessment will be fine and let's see those regular assessments not just for elderly but for adolescents too eh!

Sounds good, but the system can't cope with the number of driving tests now. How would they cope with millions more tests every year? Not only that, but most people over 70 have plenty of spare time, and have had a lifetime to get used to life admin, so they would likely book their test as soon as they could, leaving no slots for new drivers. Older drivers often have their license taken off them for a variety of ailments, from eyesight, to leg problems to, yes, cognitive decline, they also tend to keep to speed limits, have more experience, and have you have said, have fewer accidents. So why pick on them?

No they cant but DVLC would be able to have a copy before they decide to reissue a licence. It's perfectly workable. In Spain we have special authorized óptical centres who carry out the test for a small fee. Usually they do the rest of the renewal aplicación if you pass the test. If not you send the results with the other documents when you send it yourself. Very straight forward and much safer.

No argument from me.

Wow what a lot of ageism on my husband is 89 he gave up his licence 10 years ago because he did not want to drive anymore here against the people 70 and over. I am 71 and very capable of knowing what my strength and weaknesses are, unlike the some under 30's who think all roads belong to them. Why should over 70's be penalised for the daft older folk who are selfish, also why demonise all under 30's for the stupidity of the the daft younger folk. There is problems in both camps, stop putting it all on the doorstep of the over 70's

My 82 year old dad last had accident in 30s and wasnt his fault. He drives everywhere and some distances. Plus a motorbike. He recognises he needs to break a journey overnight now southern england to scotland. So it woukd surely be unreasonable with that driving record? Not everyone is the same and certainly worse younger drivers with bad records. Maybe more mandatory hearing and eyesight review of medical conditions from 70 onwards but not a full bloody driving test.

Yeah katie prices driving record comes to mind.

Poor choices while driving with no instructor can't be helped. What the tests would confirm was that people were CAPABLE of driving safely, which is what needs to be tested. If older people have cognitive decline that affects their driving, this would be seen during a test.

You can't police people every second of every day - there's literally no answer to the problem according to your logic.

Depends where you live. Public transport beyond shit rurally very different to london.

I work in a petrol station and it is terrifying watching the older drivers come in and try to fill up. Their reaction times are none existent, not to mention the ones that say "i can't see the chip and pin pad)
There should be mandatory testing after a certain age.

For me it's eyesight tests and full medical declaration that are needed, not a retest.

I could be persuaded that a hazard test would be useful, but most idiots I see are young people in cars they aren't equipped to handle.

I'd personally like to see a speed limit on new drivers.

No, it doesn't depend where you live. If someone can't drive for shit they don't belong on the road.

I agree. We were once behind a car where the driver kept veering onto the other side of the road. Not just a bit either, full on in the wrong lane for an extended time (they were extremely lucky no one was coming in the opposite direction!)
Me & my boyfriend followed them as we were genuinely concerned they were having a medical episode or were under the influence. They parked up in a supermarket and we nicely approached them and asked if everything was OK as they were driving on the opposite side. It was the most doddery, old couple who just looked at us like we'd taken a shit right there in front of them. Lost cause. They clearly should not have been on the road!

My Dad is in his 80s and not a safe driver anymore. The chance of him listening to anyone on the subject are zero. Of course he doesn't want to loose his independence. The sight test has been tightened up this year which is great. He is due to have a special dvla test at specsavers this month.

OK so because your Dad is a risk and because your gran was everyone else is too. Doesn't work like that

If you have concerns you can report them to the DVLA directly or ask their GP to do an assessment. They share your concerns they will report the to DVLA.

Why do you presume they have 'got away' with bad habits for fifty years?
Do you think all older drivers lack any skills?

I[m a Brit ex-pat living in Switzerland. We have obligatory medical and eye tests for the over 70s to assess their driving capacity.
I[m 78 and have had the exam done twice. I[m all in favour of it. It[s no big hassle.

All of them? I don’t believe you.