Driving Licence renewal after 70

[kes]

Given the size of the 'grey' population you would have thought every 5 years for a renewal with a link to your GP would be sufficient. However, unlike FAC certs, they must be renewed every 3 years after 70 (mine was first renewed some years ago - I am now 72 going on 73. Your original licence must be submitted with the request for renewal which requires confirmation of no relevant medical conditions without reference to a doctor. It can be done online but DVLC will AUTOMATTICALLY delete your entitlement to drive mini buses and vehicles with TRAILERS and those between 2 and 7 tons if you do it online - quite specifically these will be removed and can only be retained by sending a form back to DVLC.
First, its as much of a deliberate con as I've seen. Second there is clearly LESS concern that some old person will kill with a car (accidentally makes no difference.
Third, why, in such circumstances will they accept a signed form about health impairments when they will not do so for FAC/SGC - clearly its to whom the info goes - DVLC clearly accept they are not responsible if a licence is issued in error to a person with a disabling health condition - yet if one looks at the stats , more people are killed by older drivers losing the edge than were ever killed by legal gun holders who went loopy. In fact, those who held legal authority to have SGC and FAC have, almost exclusively been given them by police mistakes and misjudgements where lives have been lost.
The state creeps into everything these days but a degree of consistency and sharing of personal data would help them do it better (whatever it is) and ease the burden on older people.
Sorry, just filled my renewal in (again) I live fairly wild and without my licence my life would be impossible.

 

[Jelen]

Given the size of the 'grey' population you would have thought every 5 years for a renewal with a link to your GP would be sufficient. However, unlike FAC certs, they must be renewed every 3 years after 70 (mine was first renewed some years ago - I am now 72 going on 73. Your original licence must be submitted with the request for renewal which requires confirmation of no relevant medical conditions without reference to a doctor. It can be done online but DVLC will AUTOMATTICALLY delete your entitlement to drive mini buses and vehicles with TRAILERS and those between 2 and 7 tons if you do it online - quite specifically these will be removed and can only be retained by sending a form back to DVLC.
First, its as much of a deliberate con as I've seen. Second there is clearly LESS concern that some old person will kill with a car (accidentally makes no difference.
Third, why, in such circumstances will they accept a signed form about health impairments when they will not do so for FAC/SGC - clearly its to whom the info goes - DVLC clearly accept they are not responsible if a licence is issued in error to a person with a disabling health condition - yet if one looks at the stats , more people are killed by older drivers losing the edge than were ever killed by legal gun holders who went loopy. In fact, those who held legal authority to have SGC and FAC have, almost exclusively been given them by police mistakes and misjudgements where lives have been lost.
The state creeps into everything these days but a degree of consistency and sharing of personal data would help them do it better (whatever it is) and ease the burden on older people.
Sorry, just filled my renewal in (again) I live fairly wild and without my licence my life would be impossible.

Thank you, I'd forgotten all about the renewal once past 70!

 

[scotch_egg]

Not being able to drive is horrendous. Been off my feet for 4 months now and couldn’t imagine the idea of it being permanent.

 

[potshotpat]

Just over twelve months until I have to do mine, thanks for the heads up .

 

[Bowland blades]

Its hard to say when enough is enough , i respect anyone who does pack in because our world outside of big Cities revolves around our vehicles. I have on the other hand been hit twice two different elderly Gents Both times i stopped in good time but they did not ( one had one arm and the dog was on his knee) and both where traveling up hill as i was traveling down .
Both tried to call it my fault , one was talked into calling it a day by his daughter thank goodness ( well into his eighties ) Wearing driving gloves, Bless him !
On the other hand did you see how Sir Stirling Moss could drive late on in life ?
Only Answer is a second test

 

[Liveonce]

Given the size of the 'grey' population you would have thought every 5 years for a renewal with a link to your GP would be sufficient. However, unlike FAC certs, they must be renewed every 3 years after 70 (mine was first renewed some years ago - I am now 72 going on 73. Your original licence must be submitted with the request for renewal which requires confirmation of no relevant medical conditions without reference to a doctor. It can be done online but DVLC will AUTOMATTICALLY delete your entitlement to drive mini buses and vehicles with TRAILERS and those between 2 and 7 tons if you do it online - quite specifically these will be removed and can only be retained by sending a form back to DVLC.
First, its as much of a deliberate con as I've seen. Second there is clearly LESS concern that some old person will kill with a car (accidentally makes no difference.
Third, why, in such circumstances will they accept a signed form about health impairments when they will not do so for FAC/SGC - clearly its to whom the info goes - DVLC clearly accept they are not responsible if a licence is issued in error to a person with a disabling health condition - yet if one looks at the stats , more people are killed by older drivers losing the edge than were ever killed by legal gun holders who went loopy. In fact, those who held legal authority to have SGC and FAC have, almost exclusively been given them by police mistakes and misjudgements where lives have been lost.
The state creeps into everything these days but a degree of consistency and sharing of personal data would help them do it better (whatever it is) and ease the burden on older people.
Sorry, just filled my renewal in (again) I live fairly wild and without my licence my life would be impossible.

because cars are not designed to be used as a weapon unlike firearms or words like that i was once told when I asked a similar question to an FEO. Matters not of course that their are far more death caused by cars then firearms.

 

[alberta boy]

Its hard to say when enough is enough , i respect anyone who does pack in because our world outside of big Cities revolves around our vehicles. I have on the other hand been hit twice two different elderly Gents Both times i stopped in good time but they did not ( one had one arm and the dog was on his knee) and both where traveling up hill as i was traveling down .
Both tried to call it my fault , one was talked into calling it a day by his daughter thank goodness ( well into his eighties ) Wearing driving gloves, Bless him !
On the other hand did you see how Sir Stirling Moss could drive late on in life ?
Only Answer is a second test

It is a tough call . My late Father called it quits when he turned 79 . He was a very good driver and didn't have any accidents , but he felt that his vision and , more importantly , reaction time was slipping . It was a very hard adjustment to make , but he did it . I hope I have the same amount of honesty when my time comes .................. or a large carnivore takes me out before I have to make the decision , samie same lol .

AB

 

[Bowland blades]

It is a tough call . My late Father called it quits when he turned 79 . He was a very good driver and didn't have any accidents , but he felt that his vision and , more importantly , reaction time was slipping . It was a very hard adjustment to make , but he did it . I hope I have the same amount of honesty when my time comes .................. or a large carnivore takes me out before I have to make the decision , samie same lol .

AB

Exactly ! A really good driver realises when their reaction times have slowed. I am sure that was 100% the cause of my unfortunate collisions with one of my OAP bumps, As was his daughter and son in laws take on it .
Must be a hard decision to make though with a big impact but to be responsible for a death or serious injury must surely be a worse feeling ?
I see it coming with the FIL in not to vast a time and its not going to be easy , hopefully it comes from Diabetic eye screening

 

[Ratel]

I'm still happily driving, albeit more cautiously than in my youth. I can handle a vehicle under any weather or traffic conditions but don't like driving too much at night. More vehicles seem to be having headlights which affect the eyes of most drivers I talk to and are certainly not conducive to road safety on narrow lanes.
My eyes are relatively good and I need glasses for reading but nothing else, so I shall continue through my eighties until I feel or am told by friends and relatives it's about time to stop.

 

[bullet chucker]

An elderly friend of mine gave up shooting (clays) some years ago as he once fell over on the stand, it frightened him so much at the thought of the gun discharging and hitting a bystander. He still drives and he has just turned 90? If you are over 60 for example and still need to retain your HGV or PSV a medical report will retain that entitlement although I understand the CPC must be up to date. For towing a caravan/trailer a medical must be taken to keep that entitlement.

BC.

 

[Stalker62]

More vehicles seem to be having headlights which affect the eyes of most drivers I talk to and are certainly not conducive to road safety on narrow lanes.

We had that very discussion last night, driving back from a day out in 'Town".

Not a fan of driving at night any more. I think the 'new' headlights are way too bright, and not helped by the pricks who add fogs lights into the equation.

 

[Cottis]

We had that very discussion last night, driving back from a day out in 'Town".

Not a fan of driving at night any more. I think the 'new' headlights are way too bright, and not helped by the pricks who add fogs lights into the equation.

People using foglights unnecessarily is a crime that should be punishable by death. There is little on the roads that ****es me off more than this. Apart from...., actually I don't have the time.

I think the driving at night thing is age related to a degree. Car headlights have certainly become stronger and more focused which is great when you are using them and the road is wonderfully illuminated. However, at certain angles, they can seem piercing to oncoming drivers at times.

My sister has recently told me (she is 46) that she now finds driving at night difficult which has coincided with mild astigmatisn. I think many people are probably doing a variety of activities with worsening vision and I think night driving is one that is most noticeable as you age. I have not had an eye test in over 20yrs. I think my vision is good but I don't know. I really should get it checked but I don't find obvious issue with anything I do. I kinda work on the principle that my scopes all look perfect with the diopter adjustment wound fully in, I am good to go God knows if that is right or not.

 

[enfieldspares]

It can be done online but DVLC will AUTOMATTICALLY delete your entitlement to drive mini buses and vehicles with TRAILERS and those between 2 and 7 tons if you do it online - quite specifically these will be removed and can only be retained by sending a form back to DVLC.

Thank you KES. I didn't know that. Now I do. Knowledge is power!

 

[Stalker62]

I have not had an eye test in over 20yrs. I think my vision is good but I don't know.

Go and get them tested.

An eyesight test can pick up so much more, than whether or not you need a prescription monocle...

 

[Dunwaters]

We had that very discussion last night, driving back from a day out in 'Town".

Not a fan of driving at night any more. I think the 'new' headlights are way too bright, and not helped by the pricks who add fogs lights into the equation.

It ain’t them its you ( and I have exactly the same problem) your eyes are degraded, you’re losing definition and you can’t focus on the side of the road and ignore the bright lights.
The only consolations I’ve found for old age thus far is a certain deference from public servants and the knowledge that at this stage, “ life in prison” doesn’t have quite the same deterrent value it had when I was 18.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I'm still happily driving, albeit more cautiously than in my youth. I can handle a vehicle under any weather or traffic conditions but don't like driving too much at night. More vehicles seem to be having headlights which affect the eyes of most drivers I talk to and are certainly not conducive to road safety on narrow lanes.
My eyes are relatively good and I need glasses for reading but nothing else, so I shall continue through my eighties until I feel or am told by friends and relatives it's about time to stop.

Hmmm.
You would be very surprised at just how few people know what that little paddle wheel below the steering wheel is for……

 

[Stalker62]

It ain’t them its you ( and I have exactly the same problem) your eyes are degraded, you’re losing definition and you can’t focus...

Hoy very dar e yoo. NOthing wring with my eyees.

 

[Dunwaters]

Hoy very dar e yoo. NOthing wring with my eyees.

I believe you, but you may want to put your spellcheck back on just in case.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Good thing about Brexit "surprise" was me going onto changing to a German driving license as I am resident there, they do do not do the faffing about when you hit 70 about doctors etc.

 

[Pedro]

Hmm. 70 to renew your licence I guess is perhaps about right. But, like others, I didn't know about the trailer bit. I shall have to check if they fiddle with your motorbike entitlement too. In a few years time, that is.