Elderly drivers spark DVSA medical concerns amid motorists staying on roads until 107 years old
medical conditions must be disclosed to the DVLA
GETTY
More than 500 motorists driving across the UK are over 100 years old with experts warning of the huge safety risks this poses.
According to a Freedom of Information request, the oldest driving licence holder in the UK is 107 years old.
In total the DVSA data recorded 623 people older than 100 years old who currently hold valid driving licences.
But with more people staying on the road for longer experts have flagged how this could mean stricter safety checks will need to be in place.
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Drivers are staying on the roads for longer
X/DVLAThe current rules dictate that drivers above the age of 70 must renew their licence every three years, rather than every ten years for everyone else.
ClickMechanic CEO Andrew Jervis said: “Many of us consider driving to be a key part of maintaining our independence and an essential part of everyday life.
“It’s clear that there is a large number of older motorists in the UK who value having the ability to drive, whether it is to run errands or spend time with family and friends.
“While age should not be a barrier to doing many of the things we enjoy, it’s important that all drivers on the road are mentally and physically fit to be safe and responsible road users.”
The FOI stats found that more than 1.8 million Britons above the age of 80 hold valid driving licences.
The oldest is a 107-year-old man from East Sussex, who is followed by nine people aged 105 and 18 drivers aged 104 and 41 aged 103.
The geographical locations of the 105-year-olds include Lancashire, Cumbria, Devon, Essex, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Greater London.
But due to their being no mandatory health checks for drivers above 70, except being able to meet the minimum eyesight standard, older drivers could risk safety by being on the roads for longer.
All drivers are required to inform the DVLA about any medical conditions they have that could affect their driving, such as arthritis, cataracts, diabetes and epilepsy, although many chose to ignore this rule out of fear it could prevent them from travelling.
Failure to report relevant medical conditions could see drivers slapped with a fine of up to £1,000.
Over the last decade, the DVLA has stripped 646,972 drivers of their driving licences for medical reasons.
More than 500,000 motorcycle and car owners and 95,131 lorry or bus motorists have had their licences removed due to having a medical condition that could impact their ability to drive.
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Elderly drivers have to renew their licence every three years once they reach 70 years of age GETTYIf a driver has their licence taken away for medical grounds, they can reapply for their licence once their doctor says they meet the medical standards for driving.
The driving agency recorded 887,000 medical licensing decisions between 2022 and 2023, an increase of 130,000 from 2019 to 2020.