New law to retake driving test at 65

[Dodder]

Got my late father retested in his late 80's as we were concerned at his rather erratic driving. We were hoping he would fail to get him off the road without us having to force him, but he only went & passed!

 

[Rake Aboot]

How about females between the ages of 17 & 35 are allowed a driving licence or a mobile phone , but not both.
That would tidy the roads up.

 

[User00047]

Got my late father retested in his late 80's as we were concerned at his rather erratic driving. We were hoping he would fail to get him off the road without us having to force him, but he only went & passed!

I knew a guy in his 80’s who went out and bought a brand new car and the next week he tried to do a U-turn on a dual carriageway and was hit by a coach. People died in this accident.

 

[mathieson]

there’s a backlog for driving tests of many months in many areas can you imagine the chaos created by having to retest all over 65’s

 

[hairybiker]

Everyone should have to retake their test on regular occasions, irrespective of age.
Drivers of entitled **** vehicles twice as often

 

[Pete1774]

If this is supposedly about safety, it would be better would be to look at the other end of the age range, and lift the minimum age from 17 to 18.

I think it would be better to restrict the engine power for those who have just past a test in the same way that's done for motor cycles.

 

[David Barker]

This will not happen in fact at this tme they are rushing tests through. The back long in many places is over 5 month,s. The concern areas i have are the ones coming from areas like India Pakistan etc. The seem to be able to come here and drive for a years or more then sit there test. I have been told many times by the immigrant community that they get a licence as long as they pass over cash. Stats should be done on them and what risk they have of crashing or harming others.

 

[Stalker62]

The seem to be able to come here and drive for a years or more then sit there test.

If you hold a licence from outside the European Community, or an International Driving Permit, you can drive here for up to 12 months. If you hold a licence from a designated country you can apply to exchange this for a GB licence. You need to do this within five years of moving here.

This is a reciprocal arrangement. Plenty of UK nationals driving 'elsewhere' on their UK licence.

 

[webley701]

Sounds like a great idea.
Health, eyesight, reaction times etc. can deteriorate quickly at that age in some people.
This would keep everyone a bit safer on the road.

At 65?

 

[Pedro]

I would hope if you were getting a bit too doddery your family would pipe up. In any case, you have to renew your licence every 3 years after 70 where you have to declare you are still fit to drive. Annual eyesight tests are the norm and if the tester thinks you've deteriorated too much, they will tell DVLA. Similarly your doctor should you be diagnosed with something relevant will do the same.

Teenagers and 20 somethings are the main danger on the roads, statistically. Crashes in cars is up there for causes of death in those groups, vying with suicide. Would this be yet another stealth law to target the wrong section of society?

 

[Klenchblaize]

Perhaps just issue every 65-year driver with a form you have completed by your Optometrist, and then return with your License renewal application?

K

 

[Overlay]

I’m ok I’m well over 65 so I’ve passed the “ when you reach 65” slot already

 

[Tim.243]

I’m ok I’m well over 65 so I’ve passed the “ when you reach 65” slot already

Yes and mind my gate next time you are calling in for a brew....

 

[opticron1]

I would hope if you were getting a bit too doddery your family would pipe up. In any case, you have to renew your licence every 3 years after 70 where you have to declare you are still fit to drive. Annual eyesight tests are the norm and if the tester thinks you've deteriorated too much, they will tell DVLA. Similarly your doctor should you be diagnosed with something relevant will do the same.

Teenagers and 20 somethings are the main danger on the roads, statistically. Crashes in cars is up there for causes of death in those groups, vying with suicide. Would this be yet another stealth law to target the wrong section of society?

Sadly, the number of times I've heard the excuse (from a family member) "but it's the only pleasure he/she has" would turn you cold..... I've seen the results of people who continue to drive when they were patently unfit to continue driving with any degree of competence. GP's are supposed to highlight "at risk" drivers due to various medical conditions, but they are often reduced to giving advice and rely on the patient giving a truthful answer before notifying the DVLA.
As someone who is planning to reach the grand old age of 65yrs in a couple of weeks, I hope this doesn't come in to law for a while yet!

 

[User00047]

At 65?

I would prefer if everyone was re-tested every 10 years and then increased frequency of re tests after about 65.
Someone I know very well passed his test in 1964 and that test was just drive around the block without crashing. He never did a theory test and has no idea what many road signs and markings are….should he not update his training? It is 2024

 

[Overlay]

It was just a tad tight

Still a fine bit of reversing skills resolved any problemos

 

[splash]

Pmsl have you any idea how long it takes to get a test now
Retest at 65 probably have to book it at 60

The high way code I read never said give way to oncoming traffic driven by younger drivers on your side of the road as they overtake parked vehicles on their side

 

[andy R204]

The risk is based around a lot more things than who is the best driver. The fact that you bought a Quashqai might be a red flag to the police that your eyesight is failing for a start!

I'm from Sunderland & I wouldn't have one for free

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I would prefer if everyone was re-tested every 10 years and then increased frequency of re tests after about 65.
Someone I know very well passed his test in 1964 and that test was just drive around the block without crashing. He never did a theory test and has no idea what many road signs and markings are….should he not update his training? It is 2024

Did my driving test at 17 in 1977 passed first time. Perhaps we could broaden it to include FAC/SGC holders over 65, just saying.

 

[Pedro]

Sadly, the number of times I've heard the excuse (from a family member) "but it's the only pleasure he/she has" would turn you cold..... I've seen the results of people who continue to drive when they were patently unfit to continue driving with any degree of competence. GP's are supposed to highlight "at risk" drivers due to various medical conditions, but they are often reduced to giving advice and rely on the patient giving a truthful answer before notifying the DVLA.
As someone who is planning to reach the grand old age of 65yrs in a couple of weeks, I hope this doesn't come in to law for a while yet!

Yes, the present system isn't fool proof, but it's there. The system for curtailing all the 20 something Sterling Mosses is less effective. At 67, I'm with you!

I had the job of persuading my father to give up. Not good, but he saw the sense and my mother gave me the car keys and told me to take his car away and sell it. Thereafter I was their chauffer. Ho hum.