Drivers face taking test 'every three years' to keep their licence
Older drivers and motorists could face taking test every THREE years to keep their driving licence - but it will be "voluntary". Older drivers are voluntarily taking tests ahead of driving licence renewal to check their abilities behind the wheel.
IAM RoadSmart, formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists, says a one-to-one driving check can give drivers an “extra level of confidence”. It can help drivers who are over 70, so born before 1954, “make the right decision” whether to stay on the roads or hand over their licence.
IAMRoadSmart said: “All UK driving licences expire when the holder reaches 70, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop driving at 70. You just need to renew your driving licence with the DVLA if you want to continue, and will need to renew it every 3 years after that.
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“For many drivers, knowing whether or not to renew their licence is an easy decision. However, one-to-one driving reviews can offer that extra level of confidence that you’re making the right choice. Some drivers even choose to have an older driver assessment every three years to coincide with their licence renewal dates.”
IAMRoadSmart added: “Having an independent older driver assessment can help to top up the driving skills you first learned when passing your test. For many older drivers, a review of their driving results can give them a renewed sense of confidence to carry on driving safely for years to come.”
The number of drivers over the age of 70 will double over the next 20 years and there are now over one million licence holders over the age of 80. Many older drivers are in favour of tightening current regulations but also want to see these ideas extended to all drivers no matter what their age.
82 per cent said that driving was very or extremely important to them, a figure that increases for women.