Calls for drivers to retake driving test at new age as petition launched

A new driving petition has been launched online

Drivers might need to take their driving test again at a new age because of some new rules. There’s a plan that says older drivers should take their driving test again when they turn 65. This is so they can show they are still safe on the roads.

Someone has started asking for this change on the Parliament website. The person who started it 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.”

If 10,000 people sign this, the government will have to answer. If 100,000 people sign, then 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. When you’re nearly 70, you just need to tell the DVLA you still want to drive. You don’t have to stop driving just because you get older.

The DVLA will send you a letter with a form to fill in about three months before you turn 70. You can fill this in and send it back or do it online.

Steve Gooding from the RAC Foundation doesn’t think we need to make drivers take their 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.”

AA President Edmund King has also highlighted the huge backlog in driving tests, which would make retesting older drivers difficult. 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.”