Older drivers could be forced to retake driving test at new age under proposals

The age for retakes might change.

Older drivers might have to take their driving test again when they turn 65, according to new ideas. A petition on the Parliament website says that older people should show they can drive safely to keep using the roads.

The person who started the petition said: “I would like the Government to require drivers to retake their driving at 65, if they want their driving licence to remain valid. I travel a lot, and often see older drivers who I believe should not be driving. Some misuse turn signals, others appear to have sight issues.”

They also mentioned: “Reactions also worsen with age.” If 10,000 people sign the petition, the government will answer. If it gets 100,000 signatures, Parliament might talk about it. The petition was made by Deniss Fomins in February 2024 and it will stay open for six months.

But actually, you don’t have to take your test again, reports Birmingham Live. When you’re nearly 70, you just need to tell the DVLA you still want to drive. There’s no set age for stopping driving.

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The DVLA will send you a letter with a D46P form to fill in about three months before you’re 70. You can send this back or do it online. Steve Gooding from the RAC Foundation thinks we shouldn’t make drivers take the test again but he does think they should check their eyes.

He said: “One thing that would allow all drivers not just those at an arbitrary old age to help judge their fitness to drive would be compulsory eye tests when licences are renewed.”

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AA President Edmund King has also highlighted the huge backlog in driving tests, making it tough for new drivers. He shared: “At the moment, it is very difficult for new drivers. In many areas, there’s something like a six-month delay there’s a 500,000 [test] backlog.”

“If you then add in checks for older drivers, it really would set the calendar back by years.”