Government plans compulsory eye tests for over 70's

Devorgilla

MOnica, I am very impressed that DVLA turned around your online application in under a week in this new year. Yours must have hit the right desk. Wish mine had. Was the postal service equally efficient at getting the hard copy to you?

Devorgilla I said a week or so, not under a week. I think it was about 10 days between ordering the licence online and receiving it in the post.

I have now renewed my licence four times since 70 and I do not think it has ever been problematic.

An update on this.

The Department of Transport has now opened a public consultation. Closes 31 March 2026. Here if you want to take part:

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers

Questions to consider:

Question 1: Who do you think should be responsible for notifying the DVLA when a licence holder is diagnosed with a medical condition that may affect their ability to meet the vision standards for driving?

Question 2: Do you agree or disagree that mandatory eyesight testing should be introduced for older drivers?

Question 3: Do you agree or disagree that 70 years is the appropriate age for mandatory eyesight testing to start?

Question 4: In your view, how often should older drivers be required to have a mandatory eyesight test?

Question 5: Why do you think this frequency is correct?

Question 6: In your view, should the frequency of mandatory eyesight tests increase as drivers get older?

Question 7: At what age, in your view, should the frequency of mandatory eyesight testing be increased?

Question 8: Why do you think the frequency of mandatory eyesight testing should be increased at this age?

Question 9: What, in your view, should the mandatory eyesight test cover?

• visual acuity (a measure of the eyes’ ability to see sharpness of vision. This is usually measured by reading letters on a chart from a set distance, with glasses or contacts if needed)

• visual field (this is measured using machinery which tests your central and side vision and identifies if you have vision problems)

• identification of a visual condition

•confirmation that drivers meet the legal eyesight standards for driving

• another test

Question 10: Who, in your view, should be responsible for conducting the mandatory eyesight test?

Question 11: Who, in your view, should be responsible for notifying the DVLA of the outcome of the mandatory eyesight test?

Question 12: Outside of any potential mandatory eyesight testing requirements, who do you think should be responsible for notifying the DVLA when a licence holder may no longer meet the vision standards for driving?

Question 13: Do you have any further comments?

If you have questions about this consultation, contact:

Road safety division
Department for Transport
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR

Alternatively, you can email: mandatoryeyesighttes[email protected].

Thank you graphite. Interesting questions. I shall ponder and respond. My personal thought is everyone should have an eye test on renewing their licence, no matter their age. I’m not sure the opticians would cope with the quantity of people though. That needs thinking about before any law change.

Thank you for this Graphite. I hadn't seen it. At the risk of sounding paranoid, it confirms my suspicions that the delay in the renewal of my licence is tied to this. I am now into the 9th week of waiting, with no correspondence or emails explaining the delay. No requests for additional health information. Nothing. As the rogue farmer says in 'Chicken Run' - "the chickens are up to summat".

Devorgilla

Thank you for this Graphite. I hadn't seen it. At the risk of sounding paranoid, it confirms my suspicions that the delay in the renewal of my licence is tied to this. I am now into the 9th week of waiting, with no correspondence or emails explaining the delay. No requests for additional health information. Nothing. As the rogue farmer says in 'Chicken Run' - "the chickens are up to summat".

Have you actually tried to contact the DVLA Devorgilla? There are all kinds of reasons why you have not had a response that has nothing to do with your age. From letters getting lost in the post, if you posted your application, to emails disappearing into an email black hole.

Why do you think they are picking you for exclusion because of your age, when everyone else is getting licences back within a week or so?

DH's licence renewal was delayed because of his medical condition, but he was sent a letter to say he could still drive and saying that the letter should be used as evidence he had a valid licence until he heard otherwise. He returned the extra medical form he received but then there was confusion over which doctors to contact for medical statements. Those in Oxfordshire or those in Cambridgeshire. They then sent the new licence to the old address. When he informed the DVLA of the change of address, his new licence with the correct address arrived in 2 days.

As I said, just because yuo are having problems renewing your licence is not evidence of a DVLA campaign to get older drivers off the road, unless, of course, you have reason to know there is a reason why the DVLA want to stop you , personally, from driving.

Apologies for the delay in replying, MOnica. Busy morning. Thank you too for taking time out of your day to post your comments.
I returned my online application on 11th of November and got the usual instant email of acknowledgment by return. I have phoned DVLA three times. Once, four weeks after my application as is advised on their site. Twice since Christmas, with one of those being abortive as it was an hour's wait if you held on and no choice on that call of a phone back. My second call after Christmas was yesterday. Again, 30 minute delay, but a chance to be called back. I received a call back. I explained the situation to the agent, giving her my medical number. (More of that later.) I was informed they had a backlog and they couldn't send out my licence until it had been signed off. They couldn't tell me if it would be signed off or when. They are well outside their service standards. I didn't even know I had a medical number. Apparently it is on the letters they send out. It isn't, nor is it on the email or the licence. One agent gave it to me. I gather everyone with a medical condition they have run past the team has one.
I am less paranoid, just irritated and frustrated. My last licence which I got in 2023 came back in a week with exactly the same medical conditions I have now. I have never been told by my optician or doctor I am unfit to drive. All this I have relayed to them. I also have a clean record. My car has all the legal requirements.
You mention your husband was sent extra forms to fill in. No such forms have been sent to me nor did the agent mention they had not received back anything additional they had asked for. I have to assume my form was in order, and indeed was told that by the first agent I spoke to.
Can I drive without a valid licence while renewal is pending? In the old days, yes, but then that last clause I mentioned in an earlier post was missing. I believe it is a new one but perhaps those over 80 can tell me different. Perhaps you only get it included if you actually are over 80 when you apply for renewal. I was told I should be covered by Article 88. I pointed out this additional clause and was told it should be ok and it was my choice if I wanted to risk it. For clarity I will copy and paste the regulations in the next post. Thank you for taking the time to read my reply.

Ok. That didn't work as it included my actual email.
You can see Article 88 on DVLA site.
Last clause reads:
Keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence.
The instructions on email I received has that one but then it finishes with this:
the entitlement on your licence has not expired.
Mine has by 6 days.

Devorgilla

Ok. That didn't work as it included my actual email.
You can see Article 88 on DVLA site.
Last clause reads:
Keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence.
The instructions on email I received has that one but then it finishes with this:
the entitlement on your licence has not expired.
Mine has by 6 days.

yes, I do think you are having exceptional problems. We are both over 80. DH has had a triple bypasss and more recently had a pacemaker iserted because he has heart failure.

The form he was sent asked lots of questions about whether he had blackouts, disabling dizzy spells and so on. Things that would certainly stop him from driving. He has had none of the items on the list. He was told he could continue driving until a decision was reached.

The second letter is really support for him if he is involved in an incident and police or insurance company query his right to still be driving. It says that he has made a full discloure tothe DVLA who have made their own enquiries of his doctors and he is considered fit to drive.

If I was you I would start a complaints procedure.

I am certainly considering starting a Complaints procedure. From what I read on this thread and the other one on Ask a Gran re other drivers over 80, I feel like the people who are pulled aside at the airport for special security scrutiny.

One assumes these proposed eye tests will be free of charge for the retired.

Grantanow

One assumes these proposed eye tests will be free of charge for the retired.

They are free now if you’re 60 and over.

If opticians doing the two yearly free eye checks we are already entitled to, simply had a little tick box on an appropriate form. The information about the eye test could be automatically linked to the DVLA computer system.

It would make more sense to check all driver’s eyesight including :
Van drivers
Postmen/women
Lorry drivers
Taxi/uber drivers
Young drivers
Police
Ambulance
Firefighters chauffeurs

Everyone using a motorised vehicle should be eye tested on a regular basis!
Not just over 70’s

A full eye rest should be compulsory for every driver before they are allowed to sit their test and should be repeated/recorded every few years and if the driver doesn’t comply/pass the test their licence made invalid and thus their insurance also…. NO exceptions… ATM it is my understanding that currently opticians can only advise patients not to drive if their eyesight isn’t up to scratch, they are NOT legally obliged to inform DVLA, only medical doctor can do that.. please someone correct me if I’m wrong…

Not in the least bothered, have yearly test. I think everyone no matter age should have to have a test. And, if eye sight aids to drive required should be stated on licence, would save some time when officially stopped. Recent case in media of young woman stopped in standard check failed 20 mtr sight check. Told police she had forgotten glasses. She was driven home to collect, still failed test. Hadn't been to an optician for 6
years as she didn't like wearing glasses!

Personally I think it should be compulsory eye tests for ALL drivers. Immaterial of age.

An acquaintance has been okayed to drive by her optician. She did not have a full eye test, but was asked to read a number plate fixed to a wall in the car park.
She has macular degeneration and is having injections. Her central vision is very poor and yet she is still driving. This is added to the fact that she was an unsafe driver before - she has had convictions and fines. She has been reported to the DVLA but has not been banned.
What happens if she causes a serious accident?

Cold mentioned that a sight test was obligatory for a Swedish driving licence. I had a Swedish licence many years ago and it stated on it that I wore glasses. I thought that was so sensible.

I agree with those here who think that eye tests should be taken every 3 years by anyone holding a valid driving licence! My friends son has serious eyesight problems at 34 years old but still insists he is capable of driving! We disagree but he will not listen to us! More needs to be done to keep our roads safe & this man is a good case for stricter checkups on all drivers of any age!

I think it should be a condition that EVERYONE who holds a driving licence should have regular eye tests - eyesight can gradually deteriorate at any age without realising it, often before getting to age 60, 70, whatever. Mine starting changing in my 40's without me realising it initially.
I wear contact lenses so get mine done every 2 years so not opposed to regular checks.

My brother died recently and he knew he was coming to the end of his driving life something he treasured. In a way when he died I was quietly relieved he drove till the end. He was sensible he knew his memory was starting to fail and said he would give his keys up but would mourn the loss of his freedom. Now I just mourn the loss of him.

I still have very good eyesight, my DH not so much. However, the bus service through our village is appalling, one an hour, if it turns up, and never on time. Service stops early evening too. I dread not being able to drive, when it happens.

My mother's cousin continued to drive although she clearly was not capable. Once my mother went to stay with her and she pulled out into fast A-road traffic at very low speed and almost caused an accident - she never allowed her to drive her again.
I was very concerned and phoned her daughters, who told me that she was fine, not problems at all with her driving.
I met them again some years later and they made a point of speaking to me to agree that their mother hadn't been fit to drive, but that she couldn't continue to live alone in her house unless she drove.

There is no safety argument for not having eye tests.
There should be action to stop dazzling headlights.
There should be improved public transport.
The Freedom Pass should be retained for the elderly: not all older people are wealthy - by a long shot.

fancyflowers

I have just received my over 70s application for a licence, but I don't think I will renew it.

I hate driving anyway, and I will continue to use Ubers when I want to go anywhere.

We don't have Ubers in the countryside and our rural bus services are almost invisible thanks to the Tory cuts. Government seems to have no idea about rural conditions.