Older drivers 'need a re-test'

28/11/11

By Steven Birch

The majority of drivers in Britain believe that motorists should have to relinquish their licences in later life, a survey has shown.

The research, completed by International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK), revealed that 60 per cent of drivers would support this idea.

Under current regulations, British motorists are not required to stop using the roads or re-take their test at any age, but almost a quarter of those asked think 75, 70 or even younger would be a good age for this to be made compulsory.

When drivers reach 70 under the existing regulations they are handed a medical questionnaire to complete, which confirms whether they are able to continue driving, and they have to re-apply for their driving licence.

Results from the study highlighted that 85 per cent of respondents would be in favour of re-testing, with 40 per cent wanting it to happen at 65-years-old or younger.

Only 23 per cent of those aged 65 and over agreed with this idea, while it proved very popular among 16 to 24-year-olds, with 66 per cent backing the changes.

A large majority of 89 per cent would like older motorists to have to obtain medical advice as part of the self-certification process, while close to 70 per cent said lower car insurance and tax costs for safe older drivers made sense.