Labour and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are under mounting pressure to make drivers over the age of 70 undergo mandatory vision and cognitive tests
Drivers aged 70 and above might face mandatory vision and cognitive tests soon to keep their driving licences, amid growing calls for the Labour government and the DVLA to take action. A major overhaul is also on the horizon for the use of driving licences as proof of age, with a push for millions of senior drivers to pass new assessments.
Leading the campaign for these tougher measures is Siobhan Thomas, a partner in the serious injury department at Hugh James Solicitors. The proposed changes are designed to ensure that elderly drivers stay safe on the roads by addressing concerns about the natural decline in driving skills that can come with age.
In addition, the DVLA has issued warnings about the risks of posting pictures of your vehicle registration document online, reports Chronicle Live. It comes after UK drivers were warned over ‘avoiding’ the road instead of having to follow the new rule.
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Siobhan Thomas clarified: “Depending on your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire, you may be required to undergo a medical assessment to assess your fitness to drive. These assessments are conducted by healthcare professionals, often your GP or a designated medical practitioner.
“Medical assessments may include vision tests, cognitive assessments, and discussions about specific health conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely.”
She added: “In some cases, drivers aged 70 and above may be asked to take a practical driving test as part of the renewal process. This is more common if there are concerns about your ability to drive safely based on your self-assessment questionnaire or medical assessments.
“The practical driving test is similar to the test taken when obtaining your initial driving licence. It assesses your ability to operate a vehicle safely in various road and traffic conditions.”
One motorist remarked: “Licences for life were a very bad idea they should applied for every five years and as an 81 year old I agree with every three years over 70, when you apply at the very least a certificate of vision.
“When I was a police officer it was the 25 yard test and a lot of young people were lacking in being able to read a number plate, so not just us wrinkles but young smoothies as most accidents are caused by those between 18/40 insurance statistics.”
Another driver stated: “I cant see the problem with this. However there are much younger drivers who are too vain to wear glasses when they need them.
“Perhaps these tests should be carried out every five years after the age of for eg 50.” A third person commented: “I gave my licence up on my 80th birthday I as did not want to finish on the front page of a newspaper having caused an accident, possibly fatal.”
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