Driving over 70

There is no legal age at which you must stop driving. You can decide when to stop as long as you do not have any medical conditions that affect your driving.

Revoking an elderly person’s drivers license over a certain age is not an acceptable solution. Elderly driving skills vary widely at all ages. It is unfair to punish most elderly drivers for problems caused by only a few drivers. just like other age groups, driving skills vary from one elderly person to another.

Telling elderly drivers that it may be time to stop driving can be one of the most difficult milestones for caregivers. Driving represents freedom and independence for the elderly — the ability to visit friends and go to the shops without relying on anyone else.

What you need to do

You must renew your driving licence every three years after you turn 70 but there are no laws on what age you must stop driving.

Once you reach the age of 70, your licence expires, but this doesn’t automatically mean you have to stop driving. You just need to renew your driving licence if you want to continue. You will need to renew it every 3 years after that. Renewal is free of charge.

If your licence expires and you do not apply for a new one, you will not legally be allowed to drive.

The DVLA will send you a D46P application form 90 days before your 70th birthday.

If you have a photocard licence

• To renew, fill in the form and return it to the DVLA with your current driving licence photocard. You may also need to include a new passport-type photo – the form will tell you if you need to do this. If you apply by post it can take up to three weeks.

If you have a paper licence

• To renew, fill in the form and enclose an up-to-date passport-type photo. If you apply by post it can take up to three weeks.

Renew online

• You can also renew your licence using the GOV.UK website. You’ll have to register and you’ll be given step-by-step instructions on how to renew:

You need to notify the DVLA if there are any medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive safely. This could be previous health conditions that have worsened or new ones.

Be aware that if you have problems that you have not admitted to and you are involved in an accident you may not be covered by your insurance.

It may be time to give up driving if:

• your reactions are much slower than they used to be
• you are finding traffic conditions increasingly stressful
• your eyesight is getting worse
• your medical condition  has worsened and may affect your ability to drive

If you are on prescription medications, ask your doctor if it could affect your driving. Some medicines can cause drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty concentrating.

Even some common over-the-counter medicines like painkillers or flu and cold remedies, may impair your driving. Always check the prescription label or ask your pharmacist about medicines you buy over the counter.

Eyesight and Driving

It is illegal to drive if you can not read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres. If you need glasses or contact lenses to see this far, make sure you wear them every time you drive.

As you get older, your eyes can change without you realising. By having regular eye tests, your optician will be able to spot early signs of conditions that affect your ability to drive such as cataracts or glaucoma.

If you think that your vision is changing, speak to your optician, GP or specialist. They will be able to tell you whether you need to report any condition to the DVA.

If you have cataracts but still meet the eyesight standard for driving, you should avoid driving at night or into very bright sunlight.

If driving is becoming difficult because of reduced mobility, you may be able to have your vehicle adapted. This could involve having a ramp or lift fitted to help you get in and out of your vehicle.

If you are worried about your fitness to drive, talk to your GP or a health professional. You could also ask a driving instructor for an assessment to get an objective (and confidential) assessment of your driving skills.

What to do if you decide to stop driving

You should contact the DVLA and tell them that you are giving up your driving licence. If you have a medical condition, you will need to fill in a form and send it back to the DVLA together with your licence.

• How to surrender your driving licence and return to driving at a later date

A checklist on safe elderly driving

Signs to watch out  for if you think someone elderly is losing safe driving skills

• Driving at inappropriate speeds, either too fast or too slow
• Asking passengers to help check if it is clear to pass or turn
• Respond slowly to or not notice pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers
• Ignore, disobey or misinterpret street signs and traffic lights
• Fail to give way to other cars or pedestrians who have the right-of-way
• Fail to judge distances between cars correctly
• Become easily frustrated and angry
• Appear drowsy, confused or frightened
• Have one or more near accidents or near misses
• Drift across lane markings or bump into curbs
• Forget to turn on headlights after dusk
• Have difficulty with glare from oncoming headlights, streetlights, or other bright or shiny objects, especially at dawn, dusk and at night
• Have difficulty turning their head, neck, shoulders or body while driving or parking
• Get lost repeatedly, even in familiar areas?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes,” you should explore whether medical issues are affecting their driving skills.