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?

He's not dim.

Then they could’ve refused to do the assessment.

is it really “tricked”? If you get assessed for anything in your life, there is always a chance you’ll fail assessment.

@sprucinitup sorry if I've misunderstood but was this an online assessment?

It probably should be there somewhere in the small print but it is naive to think that the outcome of a driver assessment wouldn't come with the risk of you getting your licence revoked.

I have a medical licence and I am fully aware that any appointment with my medical team could result in me losing my licence. Above that I need the self awareness to know when my medical condition means that I am fit or unfit to drive.

Driving is a privilege not a right.

Surely you can understand that there would be plenty of stubborn older people who wouldn't go for the test if there was a possibility it would lead to the loss of their licence?
Your honourable relative isn't representative of all 75yrs + drivers (arbitrary age plucked out of thin air).

How old is he? What's the medical condition?

I agree with this, it seems pretty obvious that the potential outcomes should be made clearer up front.

Well he hasn’t given up his licence by stealth has he? It’s been removed as he’s not safe to drive. I’m glad he went for his assessment and if you’re saying if he’d known he wouldn’t have gone for an assessment then I’m glad they didn’t make it clear. Would be really have rather carried on driving unsafely? It’s for his benefit as well as others, he could have killed himself!

But what do we all think a driving assessment is for? Obviously it’s to assess if you’re safe/good enough to drive or not 🤷🏼‍♀️ It’s called an assessment, not a guidance session. I think it’s abundantly clear that an assessment of elderly drivers will be to determine whether or not they continue to hold a licence. I’m sorry your relative felt unprepared for that eventuality, but it’s surely common sense. I think we should all be retested throughout our life as drivers anyway, ensure we keep up our skills. I know that’s not practical, but we need to lose the feeling of entitlement that a licence gained at 17 is good for life.

Sorry, I've just checked and can see it was online and practical... I agree that it should be made clearer that doing the test could result in the license being revoked but I have to agree that it's probably safer for your relative not to be driving now

Oh, of course, but the solution is to mandate the assessment, not to patronise elderly people by obfuscating the potential.outcomes of an assessment sold as "helpful".

There is a difference between a bad driver which can also be a reason for licences being lost and medically unfit. And plenty of younger people lose licences for being medically unfit.

I think the DVSA should mandate re-testing beyond a certain age, but the Government is probably too scared of the political backlash, so is doing it by stealth instead.

Were you in the room when the GP suggested it? Because I've had plenty of relatives attend with their elderly relatives and when I remind the elderly person they've been told they are no longer fit to drive the family member is shocked as they thought they'd just been told to be careful driving at night or whatever.

Yes, I definitely agree there should be mandatory re-testing.

Plus they wouldnt want anyone of working age to lose their licence and possibly their job so have to pay out more in benefits. Much better to focus on those seen as economically inactive who are now surplus to requirements and get them out of the way of those trying to get to work.

Presumably the RoSPA assessor contacted DVLA to revoke his licence then OP?

The outcome would have been the same regardless, and we're talking about the safety of this person and everyone else on the roads, not some trivial matters, so I think it's pretty unreasonable to be focusing on feeling 'tricked' somehow.
I also think, regardless of whether the advice and guidance could or should be clearer, that it seems pretty obvious that a loss of licence could be a potential outcome of any assessment.

I think it's a pity he felt tricked. But I do think if someone isn't able to understand that an assessment was going to assess his fitness to drive, then honestly, he shouldn't be driving.

I remember when I was a teenager there was a GP who was well known for his 'caring' and lenient attitude towards the elderly; it was a standing joke that he'd cautioned the granddad of one of my friends that he could keep his licence to pootle down the hill to the local shop in the village, but absolutely must not attempt to drive on the dual carriageway, because he wasn't safe to do so.

Everyone talked a lot about how thoughtful that was, and how he'd saved an older man's dignity.

Looking back it was bloody stupid and irresponsible.

And I agree with this.

When my grandmother had an inoperable brain tumour she was told she couldn't drive. We had an absolutely hair-raising few days while she claimed she'd been advised she 'might' want to stop 'at some point'. To be fair, it was her GP who actually convinced her. I don't know what he said but he was great, and she came away from an appointment with him fully aware it was important - but she definitely hadn't got the message the first time around!

Eh? I think it's more of a safety thing why older people should have mandatory testing as opposed to those under 66. It's well known that governments prefer to appease older people because they're most likely to vote, hence the OP's point about political backlash if drivers aged 75+ thought they might have their licence removed against their wishes.

This, are posters really saying it’s unfair that people who have failed a fitness to drive assessment shouldn’t have their license revoked as it’s mean?!! wtf!
have any of you seen the incident where an unfit driver killed a toddler and the response was “whoopsie she shouldn’t have been driving”… https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx252v6l60lo
this elderly driver had even cancelled her insurance as she didn’t want to pay it.

I’m surprised these tests are optional.

And to be honest, if a Dr told me I should go for a driving “assessment” I would assume there was a possibility that I could lose my licence due to being assessed as not fit to drive.

By the law of averages the elderly are more likely to have medical problems which mean they are not safe to drive.

But there are plenty of younger people without medical problems who are not safe to drive, either. Unfortunately the driving test can't weed out people who simply drive dangerously for fun or because they think it's cool to take drugs.

I have looked at the website and I can't see any reference to losing your licence. I do think it's underhand and it isn't appropriate to trick people. In all other contexts, if you are being tested, you know that there's a possibility that you will not pass and be able to continue (eg if you have a DVLA eye test, there's always a chance they will say your eyesight isn't good enough).

I didn't know that ROSPA could revoke licences? I assume what is actually meant is that they tell the DVLA that the person isn't fit to drive.

I actually wouldn't, because I've seen that the Institute of advanced driving does them (also for young drivers) and I thought that it was advisory - and in fact might actually reassure someone that their driving is good.

See here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses-services/for-individuals/mature-driver-review/

I quote "They’ll help boost your confidence behind the wheel and suggest further training if needed."

If a GP thinks someone is unfit to drive, they should be reporting the person to the DVLA. As should opticians. No need for underhand assessments.