Driving after your 70?

Stewpot

My Dad is 70 in a few months time & he says he has to have a Doctor check him over to make sure he can still drive?

Dan H

Because people over 70 vote! And politicians are afraid that if they vote for a law like that, then they will be voted out of office.

People forget that driving is a privilege, not a right. As with anything, there are many older drivers who are good drivers as there are many younger drivers who are terrible. Why don't we all have to renew our testing every four years?

UCANTCME

Well there are many arguments for and against.

By doing the road test, we can check vision and reflexes and avoid many accidents caused by elderly drivers.

The problem is that most road accidents are actually caused by drivers in the 16-20 age group, followed by elderly drivers.

RX8 MATE

I think everyone regardless of age should be made to take some sort of written and practical test every five years. As we get older our reaction times slow down so maybe a reaction test or the over 55s as well as an eye test. The standard of driving on UK roads is not getting better, more and more individuals have forgotten the simple rules they were taught when learning to drive. There are far too many out there who need to brush up on their skills, just look at the random ways people use a roundabout. I took my Advanced driving course and I now realise I was probably an accident waiting to happen, mainly because it had been over 20 years since I was tested for driving competence. I taught my daughter to drive and she passed with one minor on her first go. She then went on to do her pass plus which she excelled at. Shame others are not so responsible.

buzz boy

My dad is 77 and he has never been checked.its very worrying

pete_rn

I fully agree with you. I've been thinking that for years. Too many elderly, those that are driving beyond when they should, are driving on our streets. I firmly believe after a specific age, say 70 years old, you should be required to retake a road test every 4 to 6 years.

angelface

never mind 70 i think any one over 60 should take a test again my grandad is 63 and used to drive lorries and has driven all his life but now he is atrocious he stops for nothing at all drives at speed when he should slow down and drives really slow when he needs to get a move on doesnt indicate or does it too early or too late and takes up both sides of the road while turning a corner not to mention gear changes hes dangerous but he cant see it and my nana says "he knows what hes doing because hes driven all his life" its scarey

Simon H

I think people should be made to take retest and exams every 5 years to make sure they are still fit enough to drive and be on the road.

The rules of the road change quite often and some people still dont know what to do.

I don't know which country in, but in south west england as soon as you turn 70 your doctor MUST sign the renewal slip of your driving licence EVERY 2 years to say you are still fit to drive - my gran had to get her GP to sign the form.

I had a look at the Driver's Licence my parents have last night, and it expires the day BEFORE their 70th Birthday's.

cmrpoag

Every state is different on this subject. I personally believe that once you hit 70 you need to take the road (driving) test every year. There are too many things that can happen in regards to ones health within a year once you reach the age of 70. I issue with people of this age is more psychological. They have been independent their whole lives and driving plays a big part in that independence. States should take a closer look at this.

jack the ripper

i think is fare to be safe than sorry for anyone over 70 because at that age different medical problems do arise from time to time, about medicals drug addicts should have one and so should alcoholics,i am sure that would clear some of the mess left on our roads?

jason c

Good question. Statically old folks are safer than young drivers, however I think there is a real argument that re-tests should should become mandatory for over 70's.
The government is currently trying to open up the discussion in Parliament about new drivers and some of the ideas that have been leaked include the shift from 17 to 18 years for the minimum driving age. There is also discussions about learners needing to have a minimum of 500 hours practical before they are able to take the test.
Personally I think that the driving test is fine as it currently is, however I think that there should be the requirement for new drivers to take a re-test after say 12 months to see what bad habits they have picked up.
Ja.

colin -why?

I agree there does seem to be a loophole in the law that we senior citizens take advantage of
However if it is a guilty conscience that prompts your question, why not succumb to your own suggestion?
have a thou rough medical, and apply for a new driving test.
Then, surrender your findings to your insurance company .
That way, you can say, hand on heart, "I have cleared my guilty thoughts
.

bails

I thought you had to take a medical. Don't all our driving licences expire the day before our 70th birthday?

norfolkgal89

i think you should have to do another test,everyone moans about yound drivers,but at least they can see properly,im not talking about aproper test,just ashort eye sight test and ashort journey

Brettezy

i dont think drivers should be able to drive at the age of 70 bfor ecxample what if the person has alzheimers they cpuld play a deadly role one the raod if they dont know what there doing

mahboob k

yh because when u get older ure more experienced
but u get weaker
so they should check incase something appens

Waino

mmm that's the law...whats the question?

bungee

why should you be required. young people have the highest insurance rates for a reason and that is because they are the most careless. so lets retest the real problem ,young people. and from a lot of the questions here most of the ones already driving shouldn't be

Ralfcoder

Maybe it's because people who have survived 70 years have learned enough about driving, caution, and survival that they can recognize dangerous situations and conditions, and avoid them, rather than try to deal with them when they come up, like a lot of teen drivers do.

Andrew M

You have to sit a test, have your eyes examined. My mother is 78 and her eyesight is better than mine. I stood next to her and the driving examiner asked to read a number plate, she did that successfully but I'm glad I wasn't asked cos I couldn't see the plate.

chobalobba

you DO have to take a full medical before they extend your licence, and then every 2 years after

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