Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driving over 70

253 replies

Veryveryconcerned · 01/08/2025 15:36

It took me time to decide but after getting other people’s opinions I reported an over 70 driver to the DVLA due to poor eyesight. Prior to the person’s 70th birthday they had said they were getting rid of their 3.5 tonne van as they said they would not pass the test to be able to continue driving it. The person is virtually blind in one eye and the eyesight is not good in the other. They do not get their eyes tested because they do not want to have to stop driving. My concern is the other people on the roads.
Does anyone know how long it takes and what exactly the DVLA do when they receive a report. I have reported it anonymously but it was about 8 weeks ago which is very concerning.
Am I worrying unnecessarily?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
grumpygrape · 14/08/2025 19:08

I think it would be useful to look at how other countries handle their driving rules/laws.

Mandatory ‘Black Boxes’ for everyone ? No new young drivers carrying young passengers for X time ? (New Zealand ?) There could be many low or no cost initiatives.

Mandatory retesting in the current climate would be unworkable. I wonder how the Disqualified Drivers who are mandated to take enhanced tests fare nowadays…. The trouble is most of them are in that position due to not giving a flying fig about the laws anyway. 🙄

Seeingadistance · 14/08/2025 19:08

grumpygrape · 14/08/2025 19:00

Maybe I should ignore responses to my posts about OH’s Alzheimer’s because they are detracting from the over 70s sight test issue but there’s something in me which drives me on to reply.

Every Alzheimer's sufferer is unique; there are often similarities but every pathway and timeline is different. The multiple tests and scans he has tell the doctors a lot about his condition and its anticipated progress. In my opinion, they are the experts and if I didn’t take their advice it would probably be a waste of OH’s and my time attending all the appointments and OH going through all the tests and scans. He doesn’t do the MRI and PET scans for the fun of it.

I honestly don’t think I’m being disingenuous about the risks; shall I raise you concerns at OH’s next appointment with the people who are monitoring him and advising me ?

Thank you for acknowledging the difference between can’t drive and doesn’t drive.

Show quote history

You and your husband have my sympathy - Alzheimer's is an incredibly difficult illness for the person themselves and those close to them. You are in a quite unusual situation of being able to negotiate and discuss these early stages and prognosis while your husband is aware of the diagnosis. Most people, like my DF, are already so affected by time of diagnosis that they simply don't recall that diagnosis. I have met one man who was diagnosed early - I think also due to a medical trial or some other investigation - and for a time he was able to advise people of his diagnosis, and warn that he might forget things, including that conversation. Sadly, he lost that insight and actually his early self-awareness possibly made the middle stages a bit more challenging, certainly for those around him but not close family.

grumpygrape · 14/08/2025 19:15

Seeingadistance · 14/08/2025 19:08

You and your husband have my sympathy - Alzheimer's is an incredibly difficult illness for the person themselves and those close to them. You are in a quite unusual situation of being able to negotiate and discuss these early stages and prognosis while your husband is aware of the diagnosis. Most people, like my DF, are already so affected by time of diagnosis that they simply don't recall that diagnosis. I have met one man who was diagnosed early - I think also due to a medical trial or some other investigation - and for a time he was able to advise people of his diagnosis, and warn that he might forget things, including that conversation. Sadly, he lost that insight and actually his early self-awareness possibly made the middle stages a bit more challenging, certainly for those around him but not close family.

Show quote history

Thank you. I have been involved in the lives of others due to OH’s situation and know how random and distressing it can be. There are areas where OH is extremely affected and others where he’s unaffected, but the Docs say that is quite usual which is why blanket restrictions aren’t helpful.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page