How would you feel if you had to retake your driving licence in full- when over 70?

I don't want to ever have to retake my driving test. However, I think it is wise to retest people as they get older, somewhat regularly. I accept that my reactions may slow and I may develop visual or other problems I'm not aware of that might affect my driving. If it makes the roads safer, I'll put up with the brief annoyance of it.

I think it's a brilliant idea though cost could be a problem.

I meant to put this in 'other subjects' - could moderators please take it out of here. No fishing, and not a sponsored discussion, apologies.

I think it makes sense. Maybe 75/80 though.

I wouldn’t pass. I only drive on quiet roads and I’m incredibly safe and careful. It would totally ruin my life as I wouldn’t be able to visit my children as I live in a village with a limited bus service. And I’m not using buses at the moment because of covid and can’t see me doing so for the forseeable future. I do think that over 70’s should have an eye test, though.

Agree with eye sight tests for driving. Not the full test though.

I think it’s an excellent idea!!!

Oh no . I'm away to oil my bike as I'd never pass a driving test now !

Having seen so many accidents caused by doddering oldies, in some cases killing children, I think any attempt to test over 70s is a good thing. Some people see their right to drive as a human right and carry on into their 90s when they are clearly not safe. Attempts by the family to curb it are met with refusal, so the only way to control them is by testing. They need a special test which takes eyesight and reactions as a priority. One thing they often do is put their foot on the accelerator instead of the brake which causes utter mayhem and often turns the car over. People have been killed by this error.
Also remember the roads are very different today from the past. How familiar are they with road signs and road markings?
As for myself, I gave up driving at 60 years because I have a problem with my leg. I'm actually quite happy that I don't have to cope with today's roads.

I think I’d be OK with it - at the moment anyway - I’m 72. I hope it won’t be a thing, though!

Why should it be assumed that when you reach the age of 70 that you can't drive safely anymore? My mum died when she was 85 but she was still an excellent driver and I always trusted her to drive my car.
I know lots of people who are in their 70's who can drive safely.

On two separate occasions five innocent people were killed by people in their 80s last year. This is in my city alone just imagine how many times this has happened all over the uk. It does make you wonder if some sort of compulsory test could be taken.

Apparently analysis proved that under 20s have 3 to 4 times more accidents than over 70s (BBC) .

Different causes maybe, but IMO its ageist to target the over 70s.

However if a person is unwell or unfit at any age it should be an offence to continue driving, at the moment unless you are under the regular care of your GP illnesses can go unnoticed and unreported.

PS it’s the family’s responsibility to take the keys away from the driver, my neighbours car was missing and I thought she was on holiday, found out last week that her GD took the car and the keys away as she has Dementia and was using the car even though she was told not to.

Chestnut

Having seen so many accidents caused by doddering oldies, in some cases killing children, I think any attempt to test over 70s is a good thing. Some people see their right to drive as a human right and carry on into their 90s when they are clearly not safe. Attempts by the family to curb it are met with refusal, so the only way to control them is by testing. They need a special test which takes eyesight and reactions as a priority. One thing they often do is put their foot on the accelerator instead of the brake which causes utter mayhem and often turns the car over. People have been killed by this error.
Also remember the roads are very different today from the past. How familiar are they with road signs and road markings?
As for myself, I gave up driving at 60 years because I have a problem with my leg. I'm actually quite happy that I don't have to cope with today's roads.

Having seen and heard of many accidents caused by dangerous drivers of any age, like that younger chap mowing down that 2 week old baby, the teenagers stacking their cars full and killing all involved, as a driver of 45 years with a very clean licence, I know who I would retest, mostly the arrogant young men in BM who think it’s ok to travel at 60 in a 30 mile restriction, one could pick and choose and find dangerous drivers in any age. ?

I'd actually be in favour of "refresher" tests for all.....it's easy to develop bad habits etc at any age.
Perhaps on a scale which increases from the date of passing your driving test and then as time passes include eye and reaction tests?
My father drove for many, many years with a totally clean licence but after a medical issue, his reactions did become slower and latterly his eyesight was affected. It broke his heart but he immediately stopped driving.
If someone is older and knows their vision is good AND their reactions are too...why be concerned?

Lin52 of course there are dangerous drivers of any age. The concern here is the possible loss of ability regarding eyesight and reactions. Oldies are not being singled out as dangerous, but as having maybe lost their physical capabilities. Many of them may still be perfectly safe to drive, but others keep going when they're not safe. The only way to know is to test for eyesight and reactions.

Eyesight tests for certain, older driver are the safest drivers, although their reaction times do get slower, they drive more cautiously.
Over 70s get free eye tests, if poor sight cannot be restored to driving standard they should not be allowed to drive, would be simple enough to include a sight test every 3 yrs.

Froglady

Why should it be assumed that when you reach the age of 70 that you can't drive safely anymore? My mum died when she was 85 but she was still an excellent driver and I always trusted her to drive my car.
I know lots of people who are in their 70's who can drive safely.

No-one is assuming anything. But eyesight and reactions can diminish with age and some people will not be safe to drive.

I agree with you Chestnut 100% -

I wouldn't fancy taking my test again. I'm 66 and don't feel that I've worsened in the eleven years since I began driving and I've got more confidence. However, I'm not adventurous and I stick to familiar routes which is fine by me. I've been told that I could do more but I don't wish to.

Many accidents are caused by young drivers who are over-confident - do they make the headlines?

A younger friend had to go and stay with her parents for a while as mum was sent home with terminal C. She said she was very nervous when in the car with her dad driving as he was all over the place.

I asked her if she discussed with him that he should give up driving (he has cataracts too), and she replied 'oh no, that would make him so depressed. It would kill him, literally- especially having just lost mum'.

And I bit my lip and didn't say it, but wanted to say 'so we eait until he kills someone else, a child maybe'.

Brilliant idea,