Proposed new regulations may require drivers to retake their driving test at a later age, specifically at 65. This is part of a plan to ensure that older drivers are still fit to drive safely.
Requests for this change have started to appear on the Parliament website, with one individual initiating a petition to require drivers to retake their test at 65 in order to keep their license valid. The petitioner expressed concerns about older drivers exhibiting poor use of turn signals, potential vision issues, and declining reaction times.
If the petition garners 10,000 signatures, the government will have to respond, and if it reaches 100,000, the matter may be discussed in Parliament. The petition was filed in February 2024 and will remain active for six months.
Currently, drivers nearing 70 must simply inform the DVLA of their intention to continue driving, avoiding the need to retake the exam altogether. About three months before their 70th birthday, the DVLA will send a letter and form for renewal, which can be completed online or returned via mail.
While Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation believes that mandatory eye tests at license renewal could help assess fitness to drive, AA President Edmund King has raised concerns about the potential backlog of driving exams causing delays for new drivers.