Over two hundred centenarians hold a driving licence in the UK

The number of people aged more than 100 who drive on the UKs’ roads has increased by almost two-thirds in the last five years, despite mounting concerns over their road safety.

New figures from the DVLA, acquired by The Times, reveal that a staggering 264 people aged 100 and over held a valid licence at the end of 2017 – a rise of 63 percent since 2012.

Specifically, the figures also revealed that at least four people aged 106 were legally permitted to drive, although the oldest driver was recorded in 2015 – when a 108-year-old man held a licence.

For the first time ever, the number of over-70s holding a licence has reached five million. All drivers who reach 70 are permitted to declare their fitness every three years, but they are not required to undergo an extensive examination.

The new figures come amid fears that elderly people are hitting the road when they are not fit to do so. Last year, the General Medical Council claimed that GPs could potentially report patients who are unfit to drive without telling them.

Critics also say that older drivers are likely to experience slower reaction times, meaning a diminished performance when making particular manoeuvres including turning across roads without the use of traffic lights.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, told The Times: ‘Calls are routinely made for more testing of older drivers, but most tend to have very good safety records and recognise their own limitations. However, with this huge demographic shift there will be challenges to maintaining safe mobility for all of us.

‘Even where people are encouraged to hang up the keys for good in the interests of road safety, we must recognise the social and health problems that come with isolation.’