The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) could soon ban older drivers aged 70 and over from roads under new mandatory eyesight testing. In 2023, the DVLA launched a call for evidence to determine whether current legislation for establishing if a person is medically fit to drive is effective enough.
Government considers mandatory eye tests for over-70s
The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently reviewing this and considering plans to introduce mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70. The potential measure was outlined in the DfT's Road Safety Strategy published in January, which would require older drivers to take an eyesight test to stay on the roads.
The DfT is also consulting on developing options for cognitive testing for older drivers as part of efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on Britain's roads, "without unnecessarily restricting their mobility and personal freedom."
Road Safety Report details
In its Road Safety Report, the DfT said: "To improve safety outcomes for older drivers and others on the road, several policy options are being explored. The government is consulting on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over age 70 and will develop options for cognitive testing for older drivers.
"These measures aim to reduce deaths and injuries involving older drivers, without unnecessarily restricting their mobility and personal freedom.
"The government will continue to work closely with the National Police Chiefs' Council to highlight the importance of regular police roadside eyesight tests for all drivers, ensuring that those drivers who fail to meet the minimum eyesight standards required for driving will have their driving licence revoked by DVLA.
"The government will also continue to engage with the relevant regulatory bodies to highlight the importance of healthcare professionals notifying DVLA if their patient is unwilling or unable to notify."
Current rules and proposed changes
Under current DVLA rules, drivers aren't required to complete mandatory checks of their skills or health once they have their driving licence - no matter how old they become. But rules do require drivers to inform the DVLA if they are no longer fit to drive.
If mandatory eyesight tests are introduced, drivers over 70 would be required to take an eyesight test to continue to drive, with tests required every three years at renewal.
The DfT said eyesight tests are important for all drivers and those who fail to meet the minimum eyesight standards face having their licence revoked by the DVLA, effectively banning them from roads.
Impact and support
The strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by 65% by 2035, and by 70% for children under 16. Around 24% of all car drivers killed in 2024 were 70 or older, and 12% of all casualties in car collisions involved older drivers.
Former local transport minister Lilian Greenwood said earlier this year: "We know driving can be very important for older people's wellbeing and help them to live independently, but we must also make sure everyone is safe on our roads.
"As the country's older population grows, our plans in the first road safety strategy in more than a decade will preserve personal freedoms where possible with action to save lives."
The potential rule change has been welcomed by AA president Edmund King who said eyesight tests are "important" as the likelihood of a driver being involved in a crash increases once they reach that age.
Speaking ahead of the DfT report in January, Mr King said: "A move to make eye tests for older drivers mandatory is obviously welcome, especially as the likelihood of crashes increases once someone is over the age of 70 and markedly shoots up over the age of 80 to a peak at age 86, with eyesight often a worrying factor.
"Eye tests are free for people over the age of 60 anyway and healthcare professionals advise them every two years given they can help with diagnosis of other underlying conditions. In fact, the AA advises everyone to have an eye test every two years."
