Age limit for driving licence backed

More than three in five drivers think motorists should be forced to give up their licences at some stage in later life, according to a survey.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Nov 2011, 09:15 BST

And as many as 24 per cent think drivers should hang up their keys at age 75, or 70 or even younger, the poll by the International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK) and insurance company Rias found.

Under UK regulation, drivers are not required to stop driving or re-take their driving test at any age.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Drivers are required to complete a medical questionnaire to confirm they are fit to drive, and when they reach 70 they must re-apply for their driving licence.

The ILC-UK/Rias survey, of 1,005 adults, showed that 85 per cent believed that re-testing should be compulsory, with 40 per cent suggesting that this should take place at 65 or younger.

As many as 66 per cent of 16- 24-year-olds supported re-testing at 65, 60 or at an earlier age, while only 23 per cent of those aged 65 or over agreed.

The research also revealed that for many older drivers, public transport was not a viable alternative to the car – with 53 per cent of drivers over 55 claiming that public transport was “never” a realistic alternative for them.

Reasons for this included the expense (63 per cent), unreliable services (64 per cent) and the transport being physically inaccessible (57 per cent).

Related topics:Drivers