More than six million older drivers have been issued a crucial three-year warning. Over-70s must renew their driving licence every 36 months to stay on the road, with motorists legally required to declare any medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive.
DVLA Medical Assessments
Once motorists have declared a medical condition, the DVLA will carefully consider an application. Road users should then receive a decision in writing, with some motorists at risk of not having their licences renewed immediately.
The DVLA might contact a doctor or consultant for further information and can arrange for a road user to be examined by a professional. The DVLA can even ask road users to take a driving assessment or an eyesight test to ensure they are safe behind the wheel.
Expert Advice on Renewals
Experts at MoneySuperMarket previously said: “You will need to complete a medical declaration when you renew your driving licence, confirming your fitness to drive.
“In some instances, the DVLA might need more information from a healthcare professional. If you have a health condition that affects your ability to drive safely, the DVLA might arrange for you to be examined, ask you to take a driving assessment, or an eyesight or driving test.”
Driver Statistics and Conditions
Previous data from the Department for Transport shows that there were 6.2 million drivers aged 70 or over in the UK, making up 14.7% of the 42 million full car licence holders on the roads.
There is no upper age limit for driving on UK roads, and motorists are fine to stay behind the wheel no matter how old they are, as long as they are safe.
The DVLA has previously shared a list of more than 150 notifiable medical conditions that need to be disclosed to officials. These include ailments that tend to predominantly affect older road users, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. The list also includes common issues such as vision loss, diabetes and heart problems. However, even things like anxiety and depression must be declared.
Penalties for Non-Disclosure
According to GOV.UK, road users could be fined up to £1,000 if they do not tell the DVLA about a condition that might affect their ability to drive safely. Meanwhile, officials warn that drivers could even be prosecuted if they are involved in an accident and haven’t declared a medical condition.
