Motorists slam eyesight rules impacting millions as new driving licence rules punish over-70s

Britons have slammed proposals to introduce compulsory eyesight tests for drivers aged 70 and over, warning the move would unfairly target older motorists.

A parliamentary petition calls on ministers to abandon plans for new safety checks on older drivers, arguing that any new vision checks should apply to drivers of all ages rather than focusing on pensioners.

The petition, which was set up by Kathleen Cavanagh in March, has attracted 1,352 signatures and remains open until September 25.

It stated: "We believe that any eyesight testing requirements should apply equally to all drivers regardless of age, rather than unfairly targeting those over 70.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"Drivers over 70 already renew their licence every three years and must declare any medical conditions that could affect their driving."

The backlash follows a Department for Transport consultation examining whether motorists aged 70 and above should face compulsory eyesight tests, which ended in May.

It did not recommend a specific policy but instead asked the public, road safety groups and industry experts for their views on a range of possible options.

If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government will be required to issue an official response. At 100,000 signatures, it could be considered for a debate in Parliament.

Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said ministers were trying to strike the right balance between protecting road safety and allowing older people to remain independent.

She shared: "We need to ensure that older people can maintain their independence while making sure our roads remain safe for everyone."

Under current rules, motorists in Great Britain must renew their driving licence when they turn 70 and every three years after that.

Drivers are required to declare they meet the legal eyesight standard and disclose any medical conditions that could affect their driving, although they do not need confirmation from a GP or optician.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• DVSA fails millions of MOT tests due to faulty number plates as motorists risk £2,500 fine
• Labour hails success of Electric Car Grant as 140,000 Britons save up to £3,750 on popular EVs
• Electric car sales soar as UK drivers attempt to avoid 'enduring trauma' of petrol and diesel prices

Between November 2012 and May 2025, the number of licence holders aged 70 and above rose by around 60 per cent.

There are now about 6.3 million drivers in this age group with full car or motorcycle licences, while around two million renew their licence each year. That figure is expected to increase to almost seven million by 2030.

Official figures showed 1,224 older car drivers were killed or seriously injured in 2024, while elderly motorists accounted for around 24 per cent of all car drivers killed in 2024.

Evidence submitted to the consultation also highlighted concerns over eyesight. A police roadside survey carried out across England and Wales in November 2024 tested 3,010 motorists using the legal number plate eyesight test.

Overall, 1.7 per cent failed, with 38 driving licences immediately revoked, while more than one in 10 drivers aged between 81 and 90 failed the eyesight check.

Separate Hampshire Constabulary data, cited by the Older Drivers Taskforce, found that 51 per cent of over-70 drivers who were stopped for careless driving required eyesight correction.

The consultation also asked whether compulsory tests should take place every three years alongside licence renewal or at higher age thresholds such as 75, 80 or 85.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter