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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
RantzNotBantz · 02/08/2025 09:29

Veryveryconcerned · 01/08/2025 16:19

I mentioned their age because I only learnt of the issue when they were approaching 70 and said about getting rid of their 3.5 tonne van and why. Prior to that I didn’t know how bad their eyesight was.

It’s still the eyesight, not age, that is the issue.

I mean, I agree with you OP, and think you did the right thing.

But at 90 my Dad had 20/20 vision. The optician said he could pass the eyesight test to be a pilot.

(but his dementia meant he couldn’t operate a lawnmower never mind a Nissan Micra…)

DisplayPurposesOnly · 02/08/2025 09:32

I think it should be a requirement for a medical professional (optician, doctor, etc) to inform the DVLA as well as the individual if they advise someone they shouldn't drive anymore.

CinnamonCinnabar · 02/08/2025 09:32

I don't fundamentally disagree and I'm surprised an optician doesn't have a legal duty to inform the DVLA if they know someone is ignoring their advice and continuing to drive. I think it should be much easier for healthcare staff to report concerns without the driver ever being told the name of the reporter.
However the large majority of collisions involve much younger drivers and that's pretty consistent internationally.

Looking at the Brake charity statistics I shocked by the high percentage of fatalities where the person who died wasn't wearing a seatbelt - at least 25%!

Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:36

ColinOfficeTrolley · 02/08/2025 09:24

Why do you feel entitled to know the outcome? Maybe they have been contacted and have been found fine to drive.

You've done your bit. Now keep your ageist nose out of it.

I did not say I need to know the outcome and I am fully aware that I would not be notified. My concern was simply the fact that it has been 8 weeks and nothing ‘appears’ to have been done.
I find it hard to believe that someone with no sight in one eye and very poor sight in the other would be ok to drive, especially as they themselves have said they don’t go to the opticians because they think they wouldn’t be allowed to continue driving.

OP posts:
Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:38

whynotwhatknot · 01/08/2025 22:24

i think eye tests shouldl be mandatory for all drivers

i think they have to wait the person to respond op then ask for medical records or an optician report

I agree that eye tests should be mandatory for all drivers.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:40

SleepingisanArt · 01/08/2025 16:11

The DVLA will only notify you that they have received your report. After that you won't hear from them with the outcome. They will contact the person you reported and ask them to complete a form with evidence from (in this case) an optician that they are for to drive. If the person doesn't comply within a fixed time their licence will be revoked. They can be instructed to re-take their test if the optician says they are fit to drive with corrective prescription spectacles.

The optician has to be approved by the DVLA to do the test.

Where dementia or other health condition is suspected then the GP and/or hospital will be required to complete an assessment and report. Also within a fixed time and again licence can be revoked if deadline is missed. They can also force a re-take of the driving test if the report is submitted on time or decide the person isn't fit to drive.

Thank you for giving me that information.

OP posts:
Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:42

Seeingadistance · 01/08/2025 22:36

From the OP.

"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."

This doesn't sound like someone whose better eye "is ok or corrected with glasses/contacts".

OP, you've done the right thing by reporting, and I hope action is taken soon.

Show quote history

Thank you

OP posts:
VenusClapTrap · 02/08/2025 09:43

It is madness it is the responsibility of the individual and not the optician/doctor to inform the DVLA. I have a close relative who has a degenerative eye disease (age and smoking related) and I’m pretty sure he has been told not to drive, although he refuses to talk to me about it. He has told me that if he can no longer drive, he will ‘drive himself off Beachy Head’.

If I report him, it will destroy our relationship. If I don’t report him, he could kill someone. I no longer sleep at night.

Flossflower · 02/08/2025 09:47

As someone who is over 70, I would welcome a fitness to drive, every year after 70.
Yes driving ability does deteriorate with age and I might not necessarily appreciate that I am deteriorating. This doesn’t have to be a government run thing. Surely this is something that insurance companies can organise before they insure you.
Eyesight tests should be compulsory for anyone of any age that is driving.

Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:47

tillyandmilly · 01/08/2025 22:50

Ageist post - my husband is 67 he better not stop driving in 3 years time ! I don’t drive and will be stuck - He has perfectly good eyesight !

If a driver has perfectly good eyesight they obviously wouldn’t need to stop driving??

My post is not ageist. I mentioned the age of 70 as that is when the person told me about their eyesight - you can see this in my original post!

OP posts:
Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:48

prelovedusername · 01/08/2025 22:50

If the driver won’t have their eyes tested they don’t know whether their sight can be corrected in the good eye. I would have encouraged them to be tested before reporting them. Unless there’s another reason you don’t want them driving.

I did suggest getting a test but they were adamant it would lead to them not being able to drive.

OP posts:
TheAfterGlow841 · 02/08/2025 09:50

Stats for people driving over age 100 in UK

https://www.racfoundation.org/media-centre/some-1-6-million-drivers-now-aged-80-or-over#:~:text=Oldest%20licence%20holder%20is%20108,no%20longer%20fit%20to%20drive.

Lots if elderly people driving over 90 where I live

Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:51

SoSoLong · 02/08/2025 00:10

OP is not ageist, they've clearly explained why they mentioned the age - the driver was due a medical to renew their license and that's when they admitted they've got bad eyesight.

Thank you for your post. I genuinely didn’t think my post was ageist.

OP posts:
mintydoggyv · 02/08/2025 09:51

MagnificentBastard · 01/08/2025 22:28

Agree. Most 70 year olds are hale and hearty.

Your post is to do with eyesight. And ageist.

Show quote history

So agree , there are good and bad drivers health wise in all age groups l was on my bike and a BMW clipped me and yes it needs reporting . The young driver was as blind as a bat , he was banned for 5 years how ever he passed his test l don't know , but saying that there are many middle aged people that can't see a 2 year test needs to be out in place and much stronger bans for drink and drug drivers say life. Possibly the lower age needs to be brought up to 25 and the upper age as well for safety sake . Plus people who have huge Suv need a differant driving licence as many can't drive or park them , and the weight of the said vans ruin our roads

CommissarySushi · 02/08/2025 09:59

mintydoggyv · 02/08/2025 02:49

So agree all drivers with bad eye sight need reporting . We need to bring the lower age for a driving test up to 25 and yearly health checks on all drivers from 25 up wards to when a driver is not safe to drive , a new driving test for people driving suv like a lorry or hgv test other wise drivers should only drive up to a one litre engine or the same in electric verchiles. To save lives this is there are to many people who can't drive the huge suv size cars and they need banning from town and city's as they ruin the road surface, you did the right thing with you completely

25?? How are adults under 25 supposed to live and work? What a ridiculous idea.

mintydoggyv · 02/08/2025 10:02

SarahJane03 · 02/08/2025 01:57

In Spain one has to take a mandatory medical, Inc eye test every 5 years. I think they should do this here. (I am 62. I have already given up my 7.5 tonne part of my licence due to medical issues.) I witnessed the aftermath of an 84yr old this week who felt unwell at the local supermarket, was advised not to drive home, he tried to regardless, he had a heart attack at the wheel, took out a lampost, knocked our wall down, nearly mowed down a pedestrian and was left on the road under a blanket after CPR failed. Cars can kill if driver not in control!

So agree with this

Original poster
Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 10:02

Panterusblackish · 02/08/2025 08:11

Rubbish, you're just ageist and happy to take someone's independence away.

I will have to stop driving because of poor eyesight eventually. I will become classed as partially blind. However it could be fixed but the NHS doesn't cover it despite the massive impact it will have on my quality of life. I won't be able to get to my job as it would take nearly 3 houts on public transport and walking instead of a 20 minute drive.

Maybe you'd be better focused on campaigning to get people the heslthcare they need instead of ruining people's lives then feeling guilty?

I hope they find out its you.

Show quote history

I do not feel guilty at all. No sight in one eye and very poor sight in the other and no glasses?

The person concerned could potentially kill someone - perhaps you think that doesn’t matter?

OP posts:
CommissarySushi · 02/08/2025 10:02

RantzNotBantz · 02/08/2025 09:29

It’s still the eyesight, not age, that is the issue.

I mean, I agree with you OP, and think you did the right thing.

But at 90 my Dad had 20/20 vision. The optician said he could pass the eyesight test to be a pilot.

(but his dementia meant he couldn’t operate a lawnmower never mind a Nissan Micra…)

Show quote history

No, it's the age. It's a fact that eyesight is very commonly affected by age. You're not doing anyone any favours by pretending that age has no affect on someone's ability to drive safely.

At 90, your dad's eyesight might have been 20/20, but his reaction time was very likely impaired and he was probably not safe to drive either.

mintydoggyv · 02/08/2025 10:04

CommissarySushi · 02/08/2025 09:59

25?? How are adults under 25 supposed to live and work? What a ridiculous idea.

Show quote history

but this age group are the worst accident wise and drug and drink offenders in big cars with fatality s thus the age group needs to go up to 25 for driving

CommissarySushi · 02/08/2025 10:07

mintydoggyv · 02/08/2025 10:04

but this age group are the worst accident wise and drug and drink offenders in big cars with fatality s thus the age group needs to go up to 25 for driving

Show quote history

That's just not feasible though, is it. You would be massively restricting the jobs under 25's could do and our economy would crumble.

MonsterasEverywhere · 02/08/2025 10:12

If you are really concerned you could make a report to your local policing team. The way you've described the eyesight of the person is extremely concerning, especially if they are driving every day. You would need the licence plate number as well as the persons name to report. If police stop them and they fail to pass a roadside test and they are concerned the person is not safe to drive away, they do have the power to take away the licence and report to the DVLA.

Tumbleweed101 · 02/08/2025 10:12

I wouldn’t be safe enough to drive without my glasses so I always carry a spare pair with me when out and about. I have a level 6 prescription for short sightedness.

Kendodd · 02/08/2025 10:40

I hate these 'you're just ageist' posts. It's so head in the sand and downright dangerous. It is a fact, abilities decrease as we age and if we are lucky enough to live that long, at some point our abilities will decrease to a point that we are not safe to drive.

mintydoggyv · 02/08/2025 10:42

Veryveryconcerned · 02/08/2025 09:36

I did not say I need to know the outcome and I am fully aware that I would not be notified. My concern was simply the fact that it has been 8 weeks and nothing ‘appears’ to have been done.
I find it hard to believe that someone with no sight in one eye and very poor sight in the other would be ok to drive, especially as they themselves have said they don’t go to the opticians because they think they wouldn’t be allowed to continue driving.

Show quote history

Talking sense , the process is you report the case / driver it's acted on almost straight away ,the report would generate a report to police and gp of the said person and a letter sent to the driver banning them from driving or suspending untill eye sight has been checked out by an optician then forms filled in and the facts go before a medical board to see if the driver would be safe i.e. a driving test etc , health check etc . This can take up to 12 weeks and remember if ones driving licence is suspended you are not insured to drive as well . The out come would be down to DVLA .You may not know anything as you where anonymous. A letter from DVLA would take a week to get to the driver to suspend there licence, that's how it works , had you put your name and address in the dvla would not tell the driver or anyone as data controlled, but you probably would have got feed back , one understands your concern . William dvla