Overview

• Under the new proposals, drivers aged 70 and over would face mandatory eyesight and cognitive screenings and possible practical driving tests if health declarations raise fitness concerns.
• Currently, motorists in that age group renew licences every three years through self-declaration and only undergo formal assessments when they report new medical conditions.
• Legal and road safety advocates, led by Siobhan Thomas from Hugh James and backed by cross-party MPs, argue the measures are vital to reducing collisions tied to age-related impairments.
• Organisations such as RoSPA and IAM RoadSmart are offering voluntary driver evaluations and refresher courses to help seniors preserve skills and confidence before renewal.
• The DVLA has begun issuing renewal reminders and warns that failing to disclose health issues could trigger fines up to £1,000 and fraud‐prevention checks.