With the government proposing changes to road safety legislation that could impact those aged 70 and over*, Uswitch car insurance experts recently surveyed motorists on their opinions towards older drivers, including whether they should be required to retake their test.
The research revealed that six in 10 (61%) motorists believe senior drivers should retake their practical test when they reach a certain age. Support for mandatory retesting is strongest among those aged 25 to 34, with nearly nine in 10 (88%) in favour, while under a third (31%) of those aged 65 and above agree.
In terms of what age reassessment should occur, 70-74 was the most common response, chosen by almost two fifths (39%) of those who support it. 9 in ten (90%) also believe retesting should be ongoing, with nearly half (48%) saying it should take place every two to three years.
Key factors behind support for retesting:
| Factors | Drivers citing the factor |
|---|---|
| Slower reaction times | 74% |
| Sight issues | 72% |
| Cognitive decline (memory issues, confusion etc) | 67% |
| Deteriorated driving performance | 58% |
| Deteriorated attention | 57% |
| Deteriorated physical health | 57% |
| Deteriorated mobility | 48% |
| Lack of awareness of updated driving / road rules | 45% |
| Modern car technology advancements | 31% |
| Driving test advancements | 23% |
Sight issues were highlighted as a key justification for reassessment. The government recently proposed introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and at every subsequent renewal** – a measure that over four in five (83%) motorists would support.
Modern car tech advancements overwhelm older drivers
With modern car technology advancements also being flagged as a reason to retest, Uswitch examined the perspective of drivers over 60. Findings revealed that seven in 10 (70%) think modern cars have too many tech features, causing confusion. Over a third (36%) also shared that they don’t feel confident using these features.
Additionally, if drivers in this age group were thinking about buying a new car, almost one in five (19%) would consider buying an older model in order to avoid advanced tech features, while nearly one in 10 (9%) would delay or skip buying a new car altogether.
Uswitch insurances expert, Leoni Moninska, shares tips on driving safety as you get older:
“Declare medical conditions to the DVLA (or DVA): Regardless of your age it’s a legal requirement to declare certain medical conditions to the DVLA, or DVA if you live in Northern Ireland, such as diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy and strokes***. If you fail to inform UK motoring agencies, you risk a fine and prosecution. You should also inform your insurer of any conditions that impact your driving to avoid invalidating your claims.
“Recognise the signs to reassess: If you haven’t received professional advice that you should stop driving, it’s your responsibility to assess your fitness to continue. Your biggest priority should be safety and feeling comfortable and confident behind the wheel. If you’ve had close calls, accidents, get lost frequently, or notice your reaction times deteriorating, it may be a sign to stop driving. You could also consider taking refresher lessons or an experienced driver assessment, designed to boost confidence and reinforce safety.
“Make your vehicle comfortable: There are purchasable aids on offer to help make the driving experience more comfortable. Accessories like seat belt reachers, swivel cushions and car support handles can make getting in and out of the car easier. Others make sitting for long periods more manageable, like tailored cushions, neck and back supports. If you find particular aspects of driving challenging, for example due to limited grip or flexibility, specific devices may be available to support, so it’s worth researching online.”
Survey of 2,000 UK adults who drive regularly. Responses were given between 6th to 12th March 2026.
Survey of 1,000 UK adults over 60 who drive regularly and own cars. Responses were given between 6th to 17th March 2026.
No surprise in the way the various demographics voted.
At seventy four I agree with retesting though. I certainly drive a lot more warily now, especially at roundabouts where signalling and care have almost disappeared.
One reason many older drivers continue to drive, I feel, is because of the lack of public transport outside the big cities. It’s easy to say older people should stop driving but it can seriously impact life where buses are few, trains are non existent and taxis are too expensive. Alongside taking people off the road, which I agree with, there needs to be a comparable improvement in the alternatives.
Exactly! No one seems to signal anymore! And when they do, they will change lanes without checking their mirrors!!
Agree wholeheartedly
Older drivers can have their driving checked by taking an Institute of Advanced Motorists older drivers check. All of us could do with the chance to improve our driving skills. As a Fellow of the Institute I am required to take an advanced driving test every three years. I support retesting for those over 70, possibly when renewing their licence as now required.
I’m 71 and quite honestly I find the massive assumptions made about older drivers by younger ones insulting!!
I do have a new car and I LOVE all the tech on it! It makes driving easier & much safer for me!
I have had my eyes tested every 2 years my whole life!
To say that any health issues I might have will negatively affect my driving is just discriminatory!
I need to drive to Kent every week round the M25 to care for my grandson – and I have seen some appalling & dangerous driving from van drivers and huge SUV’s driven mostly by men!
In fact, one thought that just indicating while beside me in a queue would mean he had a right to just change lanes!!! And then to drive right up behind me with his lights full on because he couldn’t!! And then drive close along my left side at the roundabout and bang on my car and yell at me!!
I am so sick of the ageism in this country! Let those in glass houses NOT throw stones!!!!
As an aging professional driver I am disgusted by the ageism of the younger so called woke generation. The medical that we have to do at 75 could be brought forward to 70 but a retest is not needed as the test we did was a lot more difficult than the test they do now and we should campaign to bring back a difficult test and include manners and patents and common sense and the use of side mirrors.
totally and wholeheartedly agree with you. polling 2 or 3000 drivers from the whole of the uk and then saying they represent almost every driver is laughable. I know you cant ask every driver but try to be a bit more realistic. there are problem drivers across the whole of the age groups so if you are going to pick on older drivers then I suggest you look at the 17 to 24 age group as both the AA and the RAC have said that they are amongst the worst because of their lack of experience
I disagree with finding I still drive a lot at79 I hve driven r from the age 24 I was a PS4 driver for 44 year and find driver are in so much of a hurry nobody indicates at traffic island and some younger drivers are the worst but only some I have eye tests every 2years without fail I think all drivers should have eye tests every every few years
As someone else has said, I’m fed up with younger drivers saying older drivers need retesting. Has anyone done any research on how many younger drivers have crashes/accidents after a few years of driving, especially males. Maybe it ought to be mandatory to test young drivers 5 years after they take their test. Let’s see how many of those fail.
I find that the younger drivers get frustrated with us older drivers because we obey speed limits, traffic rules and indicate when we are changing lines or turning etc. Perhaps if they obeyed these rules their premiums would not be so high.
Retesting or formal reassessment should be at age 40, then 60 and then every ten years.
I am 66 and driving ability in this country is pretty mediocre to say the least, hence why we have more and more ‘driver assistance’ devices/programmes added to cars. Improve the standards and these add-ons could be deleted, oh and we’ll all be safer.
Well, a lot of ideas but what everyone seems to forget is, everything has to be paid for. It seems the people who organised the surveys should be in some form of politics, we hear it every general election, loads of we should do this or that with no thought of what it costs or who will pay . Only ideas and no way to achieve it.
I agree providing EVERYONE is regularly retested and has eyesight checked. A lot can happen to eyesight between the age of 17 and 70. It is discrimination to single out elderly drivers when figures show most accidents involve younger drivers. How about drink and drugs testing as part of the practical driving test too? I have driven since I was aged 17 and am aged 78 now and my current car is a sports coupe. My jobs involved regular driving. I have met young people who won’t drive on a motorway.
It isn’t much use improving bus and train services etc for many older drivers who may well be unable to walk very far due to mobility issues. How will they get to doctor’s or hospital appointments? Many that don’t qualify for mobility cars are unable to walk far, but can manage with their cars.
The very generation that worked hard to give young people the benefit of the advances they made in the past now seem to be being treated as if they are in the way on the roads with attempts made to remove them.
Younger drivers should be careful what they wish for as they will become older too and sooner than they think.
Come to Birmingham and experience every country’s style of driving! At 78 now and retired at 70 having driven around 1000 miles a week in one of my lives, I thought I’d seen most things. BUT in the past few years of pothole takeover, the general driving has matched the road quality – diabolical. Some windows SO blacked out, local police check all the time, lack of, or poor signalling. Speed limit throughout the city and suburbs of 30 mph a joke? Overtaking, undertaking at 50mph then jamming brakes on. It seems some of Birmingham drivers are uninsured, illegal, ill mannered, unable or unwilling to read road information. Lastly, I think many have not taken/passed the driving test … so dire.
Sad for us Brummies, born and bred in part of Car Cities in the UK, that the many are bought down by the fewer.
Not giving in however! Just re-insured and first time £20 taxed, yearly sight test due 2/6/26, licence renewal 6/7/26 (third) still aware, check thoroughly but speedily (easy at 30mph) and still enjoy ‘putting my foot down’ where speed limits allow. Smart cars can be very nippy and rather fast.