Elderly drivers could face 'in-house' eye-testing every two years to keep licences under new proposals

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) highlighted the need for older drivers to undergo regular driving assessments as part of its guidance for businesses.

With an ageing population, the number of senior drivers on UK roads continues to increase with many drivers now keeping their licence well into their 90s.

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The RoSPA report stated that while most older drivers are safe, ageing can affect driving ability through changes in eyesight, cognition and reaction times.

A recent survey by Uswitch car insurance revealed that millennials were most supportive of mandatory retesting for elderly drivers with 79 per cent in favour of new driving licence requirements.

Currently in the UK, there are no age-based requirements for drivers to retake their test when they reach a certain age. When a driver turns 70, they must reapply for their licence every three years, according to the DVLA.

This renewal process is free and can be completed online, with licences typically arriving within one week of application.

Drivers can continue behind the wheel while their licence is being renewed, provided they meet certain conditions including having their doctor's support and previously holding a valid licence.

The renewal serves as a "timely reminder to individuals to consider their health in the context of driving," the DVLA shared.

Meanwhile, the survey revealed concerns about older drivers' capabilities, with 64 per cent of respondents citing slower reaction times as the top reason for supporting retesting.

Other concerns included sight issues (62 per cent), deteriorated health (52 per cent) and reduced attention (51 per cent). Data showed that between September 2023 and August 2024, the most common driving offences committed by motorists over the age of 60 involved speeding.

Senior drivers were responsible for 22 per cent of speeding offences overall during this period, according to Department for Transport reports.

But many older drivers have pushed back against age-specific testing, arguing it constitutes discrimination. "I am 80 in May, I passed my test in 1961... I am probably a better rider driver now than I was years ago," one driver commented in response to the survey.

Another shared: "You cannot introduce re-testing for the elderly as this is age discrimination. The obvious answer is to introduce re-testing for all drivers, say every five years."

Several others also pointed out that accident statistics for younger drivers, particularly males under 25, which have been historically worse than those for seniors.

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RoSPA has now recommended businesses ensure older employees who drive for work undergo regular eyesight tests at least every two years. These tests should include peripheral vision and contrast sensitivity assessments, which measure how well people can see in low-contrast situations like fog or night driving.

The organisation advised arranging driving assessments or conducting them in-house to verify driving skills remain up to standard.

"An assessment will enable you and your drivers to have confidence that their driving skills are still up to standard," the RoSPA report detailed.