Should drivers have to retake their test when they reach a certain age? Uswitch car insurance recently investigated what UK motorists really think.
Motorists think senior drivers should retake their test[1].
Over two-thirds (67%) of drivers in the UK believe that once licence holders reach a certain age, they should be required to retake their practical driving test. The generation that supported this the most were millennials (those aged 28-43) with over three-quarters (79%) of them agreeing that this should be mandatory. When asking senior drivers if they agree, just over two-fifths (45%) of those aged 65+ think retesting should be required.
In the UK, there are no age-based requirements to stop driving or retake your test when you reach a certain age, or have held your license for a number of years. When a driver reaches 70, they just have to reapply for their licence every 3 years, without having to take a test
When asked what age respondents thought senior drivers should retest, the most popular age range selected was 70-74 (33%). Additionally, almost half (49%) think senior drivers should have to retake every 2-3 years, and only 4% think they should only have to retake their test once. Those who believe retesting should only occur once were mainly Generation X or Baby Boomers (62%).
Motorists fear senior drivers’ slow reaction times and sight issues could be a potential hazard
|
Top reason for supporting retesting |
% of drivers who answered |
|
Slower reaction times |
64% |
|
Sight issues |
62% |
|
Deteriorated health |
52% |
|
Deteriorated attention |
51% |
|
Deteriorated driving performance |
44% |
The most common conviction for senior drivers is speeding
When looking at safety and road rules, the most common driving offences committed by motorists aged 60+ involve speeding. Between 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024, the top offences for this age group were exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road (75%) and exceeding speed limit on a motorway (15%). They were responsible for one in five (22%) of these two offences overall[2].
In terms of accident rate, the number of car insurance quote requests with the incident circumstance of ‘accident’ for those aged 61+ accounted for 12% of total claims between September 2023 – 2024[3].
Driving test pass rates for senior drivers is low
For motorists taking their driving test later in life, the pass rate is low. Out of those aged 60+ who took their test between 1 September 2023 to 31 March 2024, only 35% passed[4]. The reasons behind this are unclear; it could be due to deteriorated wellbeing, but also confidence or knowledge of driving regulations / rules.
Uswitch car insurance expert, Leoni Moninska, shares tips on how senior drivers can help ensure their safety on the roads:
“Accurately report any medical conditions: By law, if you develop a medical condition, or an existing one worsens, you must report this to the DVLA[5] or DVA[6] (if you live in Northern Ireland). Accurately reporting these is important to ensure you meet the medical standards to drive. Failing to do so is considered a serious offence; you can be fined up to £1,000 and prosecuted if you are caught in an accident[7].
“Assess whether it’s safe to drive: If you still have a valid licence, it’s important to self assess your capability to drive. You can do this by acknowledging any physical or mental changes that might impact your ability, including reaction times, awareness and mobility. If you have any concerns regarding how a medical issue may impact driving, you should speak to a doctor. It’s also important to ensure you feel confident on the road, not only about operating a vehicle but also any new laws / regulations related to driving or roads.
“Make your car comfortable: There are car accessories that can make your driving experience more comfortable. These are often designed for specific circumstances. For example, if you have trouble getting in and out of a vehicle transfer boards can help, as well as detachable handles to provide an additional point of support. Seat belt grabbers can also help if you struggle with reaching.”
Methodology:
Survey of 2,000 UK drivers aged 16+ around their opinions towards drivers being required to retake their driving test when they reach a certain age. Responses were given between 22.11.2024 – 25.11.2024.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-information-assessing-fitness-to-drive
[2] Uswitch car insurance obtained data via a Freedom of Information request from the DVLA on the total number of endorsements added to a GB driving licence record between between 1 September 2023, up until and inclusive of 31 August 2024
[3] Data from our automotive partner Confused.com (01/09/23 – 30/09/24)
[4] Uswitch car insurance obtained data via a Freedom of Information request from the DVSA on the number of practical driving tests conducted, passed, as well as pass rate, broken down by age between 1 September 2023 to 31 March 2024.
[5] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-information-assessing-fitness-to-drive
[6] https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/renew-your-driving-licence-70-plus
I am 80 in May, I passed my motorcycle test in 1961, you could ride at 16 in those days, I still ride bikes and drive a car . I am probably a better rider driver now than i was years ago. I see a lot of much younger drivers who do not drive very well if retesting is to be brought in it should not be age related how about for everyone after say 10 years.
Absolutely agree – I’m exactly in the same loop as you – everyone should retake a test I think every five years – that would get rid of a lot of numpties from the road and generate revenue and jobs
Older drivers who cause or have accidents have probably have done so previously and have always been a useless driver – nothing really changes
You cannot introduce re-testing for the elderly as this is age discrimination.The obvious answer is to introduce re-testing for all drivers say every 5 years with the drivers bearing the cost! No doubt this would be politically unacceptable.
That’s a much better idea
Sounds a good idea. We could give the examiners jobs to the F.A. Who could farm them out to the premier league refs
Who could then have a second ref following them with a camera in another car to act as VAR. 😉
It is interesting that the emphasis is on how badly older drivers fared in certain categories, for example ’they were responsible for 22% of speeding offences overall, no comparison with other groups, and by extrapolation they were NOT responsible for nearly 80% of speeding offences!
Isn’t it interesting how many younger people think seniors should be re-tested when the highest number of accidents occur in young men aged under 25! As others have commented, there is age discrimination here – if you re-test the over 70s, then it should be statutory that this covers all ages. Maybe every 5 years but do not discriminate for the over 70s.
As another 80 year old who also rides motorbikes, I see no problem with retesting as long as it also covers the young mad ones. I’m a better driver now than when I had a 1963 mini. Mind you we all know how to drive safely and pass the test but how many drive like that day to day?
I am 79 and have just renewed my licence. Retesting is impossible for the sheer number of examiners needed. I think many of the so called speeding offences for older drivers maybe because they are driving electric cars which have less of an impression of speed because they are quieter.
Total rubbish survey,let’s penalise older drivers again, how about a survey on younger drivers who think they have a given right to speed, ignore the highway code & are reckless and dangerous!!
So 2000 people surveyed says ‘2/3 of uk drivers think …’ hmm think there might be a slightly larger overall number of drivers in the UK and that sample size is not clear who they were
Not really a useful survey, just click bait as usual
I would be interested in the numbers taking part in this survey , and how many in each group. Percentages mean nothing without the numbers involved.
Fairly obvious that two thirds of drivers are in favour as they are the majority. I wonder how they will feel when they are in the category of the ”
I agree with the comment that it’s age discrimination and that all drivers should be retested.
A lot of elderly drivers are slow and hesitant, but compared to the young racers they must be deemed to be somewhat safer as I believe they have a somewhat better safety record.
Absolutely appauling some senior drivers are experienced and careful nice to see what statistics for you get drivers are and with retirement age going up many over 65 need car for work so is this really fair NO
Not just seniors may need re testing, they have years of experience albeit on less busier roads, all drivers after 5 years judging by the way some people drive. Poor road sense, lack of driving skills, the little courtesy to other road users.
Information of on rule changes should be sent to all holding a licence, not relying on media or drivers searching for changes
We must keep our roads safe. Older drivers could have a telematic device fitted to monitor the standard of their driving, say for a few weeks every few years, as often happens to motorists who have excessive driving issues when applying for insurance.
i am 74 years old and whilst I don’t support blanket retesting after age 70 I believe that drivers of all ages should have an eyesight test every 2 years. In addition i do believe that compulsory reporting of medical conditions should be introduced and doctors do the notifying to the DVLA.
It would be nice to have an accurate breakdown of all accidents by age etc and not just extrapolating surveys with restricted circulation; probably a nigh impossible task but at least it would be more accurate than possible sampling of restricted input.
I am 85 years old and have not had a driving accident in over 35 years of driving. I currently drive about 7000 m/year mainly on A or dual carriageway roads and am comfortable doing so. I have regular eye tests coupled with reaction tests and am cleared to continue driving. The numbers in the Table above I presume are purely subjective, based on respondents’ opinions. It would be interesting to see the figures for the number of accidents against age. Suggesting additional tests is impractical considering the delay in getting a test at the present time.
Has anyone looked at the accident statistics. What age group causes the most accidents and why?
Rather than discriminate against one particular group.
Set a speed limit for newly qualified drivers for a set period of time.
Driving standards in different countries appear to differ. Set a vehicle speed limit for short term UK visitors.
Anyone settling in UK to take UK driving test.
Everyone to take Highway Code tests every 10 years. To ensure all drivers are aware of new signage.
Review of all UK signage, too many signs and some are very wordy. Driver’s should be paying attention to driving, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users not having to read poorly designed signage. Simplify or remove superfluous signage. Declutter the streets.
Compulsory insurance for cyclists who use the roads.
Fine cyclists for breaking the Highway Code for i.e jumping red lights etc.
All cycles to have a registration plate registered to DVLA to enable court action for dangerous cycling.
I don’t disagree with driver assessment at a certain age but not sure what that age should be. I am an older driver, 84, with a car and four motorcycles and feel that I am a safer driver than forty years ago, mainly due to speed. I do feel strongly that a compulsory annual eye test is needed, I see no reason not to do this annually as I already do.
The claims statistics from insurers shows that perhaps younger drivers who cause accidents and make claims should be retested rather than older people . A retest , in my humble opinion, is nonsense when a competency check would be far more appropriate. It seems that the decades of experience gained by older drivers is not considered. I have been riding motorcycles for over 50 years and have seen driving standards fall alarmingly with many , especially younger and foreign, drivers driving too fast and too close to those in front as well as far too many using mobile phones and even tablets while driving
I saw a similar survey to this on another internet site (Cant remembe which) and the result would be very different to this survey.
So, Remember its not what you ask, its who you ask.
And ‘How’, ‘What’, ‘When’, ‘Why’ & ‘Where ‘ you ask. The vast majority of so called surveys that I see are so skewed & flawed that they are obviously put out by campaign groups with an axe to grind & a predefined requirement for the outcome.v
as trick cyclist says its who you ask that counts, I believe that one top motoring organisation cites the 17-24 year olds as the worst due mostly to their lack of experience, as someone else says, it is age discrimination, if you say women are the worst, watch out for the backlash on grounds of sex discrimination,so let everyone drive as best you can and stop this constant bashing of the older generation
Totally agree
I am 83Yrs old and still driving and agree with Frank and Cliff re-test for all not just one group.
Also how about a check of percentage older drivers as against the others to see which age group causes the most fatalities.
I would like a survey done compareing the % of older people’s serious accidents against the same % of younger people’s serious accidents.
Most of the people breaking the speed limit I find are young impatient drivers and they drive too close behind
The irony here is that if you drive a forklift truck, you have to retest every three years. But with a car you can pass your test at 17 and drive something much faster in more dangerous conditions without having to be retested! If mandatory retesting for everyone were introduced, it would improve the overall standard of driving on our roads as those who passed by the skin of their teeth would probably fail and have to undergone retraining to achieve a pass. Those who had developed bad habits over their 60+ years of motoring would now have those challenged and if unwilling or unable to change would not be able to legally drive again
Look,, a good start would be a mandatory eye test when you reach 70 would be a massive start to ensuring elderly folk can drive safely with vision that is up to standard for driving,,, never mind re test…
I’m an 80 year old PROFESSIONAL driver, still doing 30,000 miles a year for ambulance. I’ve downloaded the DRIVESCORE APP… score of 942… if it ever goes below 900 then I’ll consider giving up..
Don’t put us all in the same basket !!