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Driving Assessment

(40 Posts)
Ashcombe Wed 15-Jul-26 16:00:41

At 76, I still enjoy driving, whether around town or on longer runs, including in France. I'm less confident about night driving unless it's on a familiar road.

Geraldine7651 Wed 15-Jul-26 15:59:36

I personally have taken the decision not to drive, my eyesight is not as good as it should be.
I haven’t taken a driving assessment. I have just decided myself that I can’t see as well as I did in the past and I don’t want to put anybody at risk. I’m not a nervous person and I’m quite a confident competent person . I’ve decided that I don’t see well enough and I would never forgive myself if I hurt someone.

Grammaretto Wed 15-Jul-26 15:52:36

We had to remove the car keys from FiL when he was 90 and diagnosed with macular degeneration.
He thought he was safe.
I drive short distances but don't like long journeys or night driving at all. I'm 77.

Camry1952 Wed 15-Jul-26 15:43:13

I'm 74 and it's not my driving that concerns me. Every time I venture out I encounter other drivers who are driving recklessly .By the time I make it back home I just thank God I'm still here. I absolutely dread driving anymore.

Cabbie21 Wed 15-Jul-26 15:42:47

I sing in three choirs and could not get to them in the evenings by public transport. I am still a confident driver in most circumstances and hope to continue for a few more years yet. I made a point of doing longer journeys from time to time, to keep up with the flow, so to speak. In general I stick to familiar routes, especially at night.

Cambia Wed 15-Jul-26 15:22:01

Sorry but if you live in rural areas with no public transport, you have very little choice of whether you stop driving.
Seventy is not old in today’s world. Perhaps driving assessments should be brought in at 80, 90 and 100. Yes we did have a neighbour who drove locally at 100!

Georgesgran Wed 15-Jul-26 15:15:33

It’s good to see you’ve taken your own advice pen50 but please don’t tar us with the same brush. Stats show young men are still (by far) more accident prone.

callum12 Wed 15-Jul-26 14:56:15

My husband is a driving instructor still going strong at 76. So please don’t judge all over 70s as his reactions are still very good

pen50 Wed 15-Jul-26 14:25:13

I will bang on till the cows come home about this but I strongly believe that nobody over the age of 80 should be permitted to drive and everyone over 70 should soul search deeply and regularly about whether they should continue driving. I myself have completely stopped driving at night, and my nearest and dearest have been instructed to tell me as soon as my day time driving becomes unsafe. We ourselves cannot perceive when our reaction times are inadequate, but the fact is that they do deteriorate with age and we are deluding ourselves to think otherwise.

Don't live in a public transport desert and use your bus pass!

ShewhomustbeEbayed Wed 15-Jul-26 14:14:23

www.iamroadsmart.com/guidance-for-older-drivers?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12706111862&gbraid=0AAAAAC7_PCKPhhffe9cI_zPNfqbEUCBxe&gclid=Cj0KCQjw39zSBhDhARIsANammDt2GsCSGQtT3DVaCaTSeCFHnehFFgVO74GJXwyKvRbmKNrCCN9ExYwaAtiZEALw_wcB
Institute of Advanced motorists offers reviews, hopefully you will find one near you.
As the change has been over past couple of weeks could you have something like an infection affecting your concentration ?

Romola Wed 15-Jul-26 13:58:35

How do you get a driving assessment? I do feel confident but works appreciate a proper assessment.

Shelflife Sun 12-Jul-26 14:59:54

Mazgg, , David 49 is correct. My DH was diagnosed with dementia. I was concerned about his driving and persuaded him to have a driving assessment. He passed the first two - I was not happy about that. Fortunately he failed the 3rd assessment. It only takes seconds of inattention for the worst to happen. Please think very carefully about whether you should be being the wheel.

Aldom Fri 10-Jul-26 18:38:39

Yes, one of my friends had a voluntary assessment . Her daughter
(and friends) were concerned about her driving. My friend took her daughter's advice and booked the assessment. The assessor failed her and she never drove again. Not long after the assessment my friend was diagnosed with dementia.
I was so thankful she had volunteered to be assessed, who knows what might have happened had she continued to drive.

David49 Fri 10-Jul-26 18:36:38

No driving assessment to report but it's about your confidence if you question you own confidence its time to stop.
Maybe youve had a near miss, maybe you took a wrong turn or forgot where you were.
Maybe you are just not enjoying driving any more, if you question your own confidence it's time to stop.

Mazgg Fri 10-Jul-26 18:25:43

I'm 84 and until recently felt very confident in my driving. I've become more absent minded over the last few weeks (not particularly when driving) and I worry that I may not be safe.
Has anyone had an older driver's voluntary assessment?