Rules for elderly drivers: Everything you need to know from licence renewals to eyesight requirements

UK drivers have to renew their license every three years from the age of 70 if they wish to continue driving

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News of Prince Philip’s car crash on Thursday afternoon has sparked a debate around the safety of elderly drivers.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, was not hurt as a result of the road accident, which took place near the Sandringham Estate, but two people in one of the vehicles are thought to have suffered minor injuries.

There is no age limit for drivers in the UK, but there are some rules and regulations that may apply to elderly people and subsequently prevent them from going behind the wheel.

At what age are UK drivers required to renew their licence?

British drivers must legally review their licence when they reach 70 years old should they wish to continue driving. This does not involve retaking a driving test, it’s simply a case of filling out an application form.

They can do so for free with DVLA and can register for the service up to 90 days prior to their 70th birthday.

From then on, they will be required to renew their licence every three years.

Drivers can apply for their renewed licences either online or by post. The new licences will arrive within a week for those who choose to do the former and within three weeks for those who choose the latter.

Why aren’t there set age restrictions for UK drivers?

There is no legal age at which people have to stop driving in the UK because the conditions that could prevent someone from driving are not limited to a person’s age.

For example, the DVLA website has an A to Z of conditions that can impact your ability to drive safely.

These include broken limbs, cancer and diabetes in addition to several mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

So long as you don't have a condition that hinders your driving skills, it's legal and safe to take to the roads, regardless of the year you were born.

When might an elderly person be advised to stop driving?

There are many medical conditions that might mean someone should stop driving, and while none are necessarily exclusive to older drivers, there are some that might be more common for people of a certain age.

Examples, as featured on the DVLA's list, include memory problems, hearing loss, mobility issues, epilepsy, heart conditions, Parkinson’s Disease. See the full list here.

If you suffer from a serious medical condition and wish to continue driving, you may have to declare it to your insurer and the DVLA. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Elderly people who want to get their driving skills assessed can do so via the DVLA, who will then refer drivers to a mobility centre where they will undergo a simple assessment designed to suit their needs.

Find your nearest mobility centre here.

Alternatively, organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and I Am Road Smart carry out similar assessments.

What are the rules regarding eyesight?

Poor eyesight can affect anyone, but given that a person’s vision can worsen in old age, it’s particularly important for elderly drivers to ensure they meet these requirements before driving.

For example, in the UK, citizens are required to meet the standard of vision for driving as set out by the DVLA.

These state that you should be able to read a car number plate (one that has been made after 1 September 2001) from 20.5 metres away. It does not matter if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses in order to read the number plate, so long as you can read it.

You must also have a decent field of vision and a visual acuity of at least 0.5 measured on the Snellen scale - this goes up to 0.8 for lorry and bus drivers. An optician will be able to measure these things for you.

What should someone do when they want to stop driving altogether?

When you decide you would like to stop driving, or your doctor advises you to do so, you're required to inform the DVLA and surrender your driving licence.

You can download a decleration of voluntary surrender here and post it to DVLA along with your licence.