Drivers over 70 face being forced to pay £85 to resit driving test if they want to keep licence under strict new rules
DRIVERS over the age of 70 could be required to take an £85 resit of their driving tests under new rules.
The proposed resit would be prescribed by GPs, based on patients’ ability to drive safely.
The plan by charity IAM RoadSmart aims to address the high number of accidents involving old-aged drivers, according to the Department for Transport.
The data, released last year, suggested that drivers over 80 were more likely to be involved in serious accidents than younger drivers.
Under current rules, drivers over 70 are forced to renew their licences every three years.
However, there are no measures to ensure older drivers are up to road safety standards, according to the charity.
Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “We’re concerned there’s nothing formally in place to help older drivers who want to keep their driving in check, and moreover, no process for GPs to be able to refer an older driver who they have serious concerns over their ability to drive.”
It comes as charity Age UK warned against damaging “caricatures” of older drivers – many of whom are able to drive without issues.
This week, motorists over 70 were also warned that if they failed to renew their licences every three years, they could be slapped with brutal £5000 fines.
And, they could even face prosecution – with community service or even prison sentences.
Age UK said: “When you reach the age of 70, your driving licence expires – but this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop driving.
“If you want to continue, you just need to renew your licence. You’ll need to renew it every three years after that. Renewal is free of charge.”
Fortunately, it won’t be down to drivers to remember as they’ll be reminded by DVLA.
Drivers can either apply online or through a physical D46P application form, which will arrive in the post with the return address.
To apply, you’ll need your email address, home addresses for the last three years, National Insurance number and UK passport number.
Applications should take around three weeks to process after being sent back.
Current rules about licences after you turn 70
YOU will need to renew your British driving license if you’re 70 or over, or will be 70 in the next 90 days.
Once you reach 70, you must renew your license every three years
To renew your license is completely free
Around three months before you are due to renew the DVLA should contact you
They will post a form which you can sign and send back – this will take around three weeks
Alternatively you can renew online which may be quicker
If you would like to, you can change the photograph at the same time
Failure to renew your license could lead to severe penalties, including a £5,000 fine