Mandatory Eyesight Tests for Older Drivers Under Review
Department for Transport considers compulsory assessments for motorists aged 70 and above during licence renewal.
Callum Smith
The Department for Transport is consulting on mandatory eyesight tests for older drivers.
These changes could mandate an eye test every three three years upon licence renewal.
The consultation, launched in January and closed in mid-May, is currently under government review; an update is expected within three months.
Under the proposed new system, motorists utilizing free NHS eye tests, particularly those diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, could see their results reported directly to the DVLA.
The consultation would make it a legal obligation for healthcare professionals to report patients to the DVLA when they are no longer fit to drive.
Presently, the legal obligation to inform the DVLA about a relevant medical condition rests solely with the driver.
Evidence of test outcomes would be required at each licence renewal, aligning with the current three-year renewal cycle for motorists aged 70.
The current system relies on self-declaration, with no automatic assessment, compulsory eye examination, or cognitive evaluation.
The Department for Transport acknowledges no universal requirement exists for all drivers to undergo eyesight tests for licensing purposes.
Drivers who have previously failed a number plate test from 20 metres must pass a DVSA-conducted test before a licence is issued.
Free NHS sight tests are currently available for adults aged 60 and over, and for individuals with certain medical conditions like diabetes or glaucoma.
The Road Safety Strategy, announced in January under the previous Labour Party Cabinet, includes a promise to work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to highlight the importance of regular police roadside eyesight tests for all drivers.
The government will also develop options for cognitive testing for older drivers.
Andy Burnham, the Labour Party Prime Minister, will ultimately decide on the strategy.
Heidi Alexander has been reappointed as Transport Secretary, overseeing these potential policy shifts.
The Department for Transport has confirmed 18 mandatory changes for cars, with implementation dates for new GB vehicle types and registrations revised to allow more time for compliance.