The headlines of the past few days have been talking about driving licences being cancelled for drivers over the age of seventy from ‘this week’. The vulnerable elderly also seem to be panicked a lot. But first of all, there is no blanket rule in the U. K. or in any European country obliging drivers to surrender their licence at the age of seventy.
What Does Happen at Seventy
In the U. K., for example, drivers are required to renew their licence on or around the age of seventy, with further renewals sought every three to four years. This does not mean that one is being pushed out, but instead, it is the usual renewal process.
Inevitably, drivers will be required to say that they believe they are medically fit to drive. They will need to pass an eye exam to show they meet this requirement. This is the new, designed-for-safety system of confirming all claims made while renewing, which is not a simple matter as will keep this out.
New Suggestions in the Pipeline
According to new reports, then, the mere possibility might be discussed in future: enforcing stricter and new rules, which shall work to affect the elderly drivers the most, such as having compulsory eye tests.
- More health checks if possible
- Vision Tests Required For Licence Renewal
Indeed, one proposal is that drivers aged over 70 must publish recent eye-test results when applying for a driving licence (The Sun).
Losing Your Licence For Old Age
It is imperative to know that old age alone cannot get one’s licence cancelled. There are, however, a couple special cases where a driving licence may be revoked:
- Poor vision or other medical requirements
- Failure to renew, or delayed renewal of the licence
- For driving unsuitability
It can be seen from statistics that the revocation of a lot of licences in recent years has been linked to vision problems, and mostly to drivers in the 70-79 age bracket (The Sun).
Differences In Regulations From Country To Country
There is no direct rule across Europe banning driving after age 70. Each country has its own regulations.
Some European countries require:
- Regular renewal after the age of 70, possibly due to medical checks for fitness
- Restrictions on the issue of a driving licence for the elderly on the basis of a much shorter validity period
The answer is that EU requests suggest slightly older drivers need to undergo medical tests every few years. Miscellaneous health issues will not result in an automatic ban on driving. (source Brussels Times)
There Shall Be No “Instant Ban” Effective from This Week
The concept of having **your license withdrawn after turning 70 and mutation to commercial is misleading. There will be no sudden implementation of a law banning the use of driving for those over 70 years of age. Instead, strictunts for the safety of older, more experienced drivers are relaxing as the bill is enacted.
Last Thoughts
Reaching 70 does not necessarily mean you have to stop driving. Nevertheless, obviously, a person who is allowed to drive may only continue driving if he will meet legal and medical laws apply.