All drivers should have eye sight tests to retain their licence

[LoisPrice]

and they should be every 5 years reducing to yearly when over 70 years old https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-66053510

This is more or less what happens in the USA state I live in.

I’m short sighted and my optician said there was a legal minimum for being allowed to drive, it’s just so many drivers aren’t on the radar.
The minimum is a pretty low bar however- it’s only the first 2-3 lines of the eye chart.
I agree with regular eye testing but the bar needs to be raised. I also think over 70s should have to do a hazard perception test.

I don’t understand why it’s not a requirement to send evidence of an eye test and purchase of suitable glasses/contacts to the DVLA every 2 years.

i wear glasses and my driving licence reflects this fact but the last time I had any official “test” of my sight to drive was being asked to read a number plate on the day of my test 20 years ago. I keep on top of my sight tests but how many drivers don’t?

Biggest problem is because of GDPA the opticicians cant tell dvla if someones eyesight isnt good enough to be on the road

No matter what their age is

There needs to be some way of keeping your driving licence and not being able to drive though as some are probably reluctant to give it up as it is their only form of ID unless they pay out for a passport.

then we need another form of ID, not a misuse of a driving licence!

We just need to make passports mandatory, it's easy. Or impose an ID card.

https://www.citizencard.com/ £15

wanting ID isn’t a reason to leave someone with a driving license if not safe to drive

You can't use those cards for bank accounts.

Why should people have to pay loads for a passport to get a bank account because they can't drive.

It needs to be easier for Optometrists to report to the DVLA

I can't see that this is proper ID for everything

They need to drop VAT off glasses.

Because a driving license is proof of entitlement to drive, nothing else. The fact it can be used as proof of id is incidental.

This isn't true.

YANBU I just cannot forget the story of little Louis Thorold. (That pertained to dementia though)

They need to sort out something else then, I have stopped driving now I am over 60 but I haven't given up my licence and by the way it's licence in the UK not license

Maybe its changed. But still a bit of grey area

It's not a grey area.

A doctor or an optician who has a reasonable belief that a person isn't fit to drive and having told the person if that person continues to drive, is perfectly able to report it to the dvla.

Do you mean pay for an eye test or a simple free check? With cost of living skyrocketing I don't think it's right to throw yet another expense at people.

Totally agree. I've just very reluctantly reported my DM to the DVLA as I don't think she should be on the road, she's 90 fgs, how can they not test people for reactions, eyesight, strength etc. Really upsets me the damage they could potentially do to someone's life

I'd have everyone do a general competence test of driving when they have to renew their photo licence, every 10 years. Terrible driving (and poor eyesight) are not the sole issue of the over 70s.

For example, there's a young woman who lives near me who is a hazard and danger to all - drives through lights/across junctions/on pavements. Would love the Police to see her....

A lot of young people don't get eye tests as it can be quite expensive. Obviously not a worry for some on this thread

If you can afford to drive you can afford to have an eye test every two years! It should be no different than any driving safety measure like keeping your car maintained

At least every 10 years. Can't understand why this hasn't been actioned. Cost I guess.