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

[sprucinitup]

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?

Yes I thought it was you Jennifer but didn’t want to get shot down if I was wrong
Your point is extremely valid and supports the findings in my post above

Thats a great post Thankyou

Well I agree absolutely - but that is what the website says:
Driving Mobility Centre Assessments
Driving Mobility Centres have specially trained clinicians and Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) to assess how a person’s condition or disability affects their driving and what help, including car adaptations, will enable them to continue to drive safely. This includes a medical assessment and an in-car driving assessment in a dual controlled car.

It then links to a separate website for the detailed driving assessment via 'driving mobility' and that says:

Introduction
A driving assessment is different from a driving test. It is designed to review your driving and you will be given an honest opinion of your skills and ability. People that choose to take a driving assessment do so for a variety of reasons:

You may want to investigate vehicle modification options because of a physical disability such as a limb amputation or, for example, because you have become less able following a stroke
You may be seeking confirmation that you are still able to drive safely following a recent diagnosis of a medical condition, or a condition such as dementia
You may want reassurance as you get older and your reactions have slowed a little
Your assessor(s) understand that you may not have had anyone to check or observe your driving for a number of years and they are very skilled at putting you at ease to ensure you perform at your best.

What to expect
You should allow approximately three hours for the assessment, although actual driving time will more than likely last about 50 minutes. This is to allow you to move through each stage of the assessment at your own pace. A typical assessment will consist of the following:

An introduction where the assessment team will ask you about your basic medical and driving history and will talk about your hopes and expectations. This will take place at the Mobility Centre
A basic physical assessment to understand what limbs and joints work well, or less well. Some Centres may use a mock-up of a car that is designed to measure physical ability and strength, along with reaction speeds
Some paper-based tasks that measure cognitive ability, such as memory or attention
Visual test(s) specific to driving.
A drive lasting approximately 50 minutes
Return to the Centre for a summary de-brief and the opportunity to ask questions
After your visit, the assessors will write a comprehensive report which will be sent to your home address.

I know it may seem obvious that an assessment that finds someone is unfit to drive would have their license revoked, but I do think that what is on these sites is at best misleading. I'm not arguing with the outcome of someone losing their license but if the information they're given clearly indicates that the purpose is to help you continue to drive, and that the report is for the driver, it's not unreasonable to be shocked and angry when that turns out to be completely untrue.

I totally disagree. I cannot think of any other context where this would be ok.

The way you get around the fact that a driver may not do the assessment if they think they might lose their licence, is by making it a legal requirement to do one if the GP or optician suggests it. And if they don't do it within a certain period, they get a fine and their licence is suspended until they do.

Phoned my friend earlier to ask him how his yearly diabetes eye assesment went today. Absoloutely fine. No deterioration

So he should in that case definitely be on the road - even if unsafe.catch yourselves on!

Let me put it this way

To drive legally over 70 a person needs to meet the minimum vision requirements & be of good health.

People over 70 can no longer self certify to renew their licence every 3 years

They now have to provide proof that they are capable to drive.

the DVLA and the DFT are not connected to RoSPA

no they don't they still self certify. Check your facts.

However, as with many things

People drive with no car insurance

People drive without sticking to the speed limits

People drive with poor eye sight

People drive on medication or alcohol

People drive when they are banned

which is why I think we don't have the full story.....

Godmum

The DVLA rules are changing

There will be no self certification soon

It's been advertised on the Internet for some time

its currently under consultation which ends in may.
Check your damn facts
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers

The whole thing seems to me rock meets hard place.

If they assess someone and find they are unfit, surely there is some obligation on them to report ?

If however, the person being assessed is told that the assessment may lead to them having their licence revoked then they may not take the assessment in the first place.

Thus the only situation that someone might undertake the assessment is under threat that another party (for example their GP) insists that they take the assessment or they will report them instead (I don't know whether this is/isn't allowed).

Roll on a better/more formalised method/process for assessment if you ask me.

Thanks for that
just reading those eyesight requirements I’m amazed some people don’t meet them as they are tested whilst wearing glasses or contacts.

It is possible and not just if you are old and difficult. Old story now but some 40 years ago I went to get a sight test at the opticians simply because my late husband wanted reading glasses and said to me I should get a test as well. I had passed my driving test some 5 years earlier (late learner) and of course passed the sight test at that point. Optician did all the usuals and then said to me "can I see your driving glasses glasses?" I told him I didn't wear them and he then showed me the difference between my corrected and uncorrected vision. This was in my early/mid 30s after passing the driving test and therefore the sight test AND having driving lessons some 5 years earlier. I genuinely had not noticed any difference. He reassured me that I was nowhere near dangerous but said that I wouldn't pass the driving test sight check.

Yes good point
as someone whose worn glasses from my primary school years i suppose I hadn’t considered people not may realise they have failing eyesight.

I don't get the relevance?

People who don't meet them have eye conditions such as diabetic eye disease, macular degeration., glaucoma or a host of other conditions that cause loss of vision not correctable with glasses

it was a real shock. My husband told me I had come out of the examination room looking as white as a sheet, his first thought was that I had had terrible news about my sight.

Thought you didnt get the relevance?

not always.

If you don't meet the driving standards that means even with best corrected glasses so there is a problem with your eyes or brain stopping you meeting the vision requirements. What on earth do you mean not always?

Noone said your friend couldn't meet the visual requirements? As far as I'm aware no one was personally trying to suggest your friend shouldn't drive. Why are you taking this thread personally on your friends behalf? Noones taken his licence have they?

I used him as an example as to why the online part wouldnt be fair Other posters didnt have a problem with it