New driving test rules for over-65s could be introduced

Elderly drivers would have to prove they are safe to use the roads under new driving law plans outlined in a petition on the Parliament website.

Drivers might have to take their driving test again at 65 if new rules are brought in. A petition on the Parliament website says that elderly drivers should show they can still drive safely.

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 said: “Reactions also worsen with age.” The government will respond if the petition gets 10,000 signatures.

If it reaches 100,000 signatures, MPs could discuss it in Parliament. Deniss Fomins started the petition in February 2024, and it will be open for six months.

But actually, you don’t need to retake your driving test. When you’re nearly 70, you just need to tell the DVLA you still want to drive. There’s no set age when you must stop driving.

Before you turn 70, the DVLA will send you a form called D46P to renew your licence. You can fill this in and send it back or use the DVLA’s website. Steve Gooding from the RAC Foundation doesn’t think drivers should have to take the test again but suggests they should get their eyes checked.

He explained: “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.”

AA President Edmund King has talked about the big wait for driving tests, saying it would be hard to re-test older drivers. He said: “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.”