Driving Refresher Course for over Seventies

Most driving schools offer refresher courses and the Institute of Advanced Motorists offers assessment courses for the over 70s, where they will assess your driving and tell you if you have bad driving habits or are not fit to drive.

Thank you for your responses and the link you sent kittylester. My OH drives any long journeys, whereas we used to share it at one time. My lack of confidence is probably mostly due to the last eighteen month and being more anxious about things generally. It isn’t very easy to visit places of interest using public transport, so this is my reason for considering the refresher course. The instructor can give me an honest opinion on my driving skills. Thanks again.

Yes, I think there should be a re-test at 75.
Recently talking to a friend who knows someone who only has sight in one eye and continues to drive! Worrying!

Esspee

Too many people continue to drive when they really should not. If you are not feeling confident please get the bus.

We're not talking about a lack of capability or skill here.

This is a lack of confidence which could easily be remedied with a couple of hours of tuition, tips and encouragement from a professional tutor.

For many people living in rural communities there is no bus to catch. Taking responsible action to extend your driving years safely seems a good way to go.

Linclass is quite right...overconfidence is potentially as, if not more dangerous than under confidence. And I speak as someone who was overtaken yesterday on a blind bend by an idiot in a blue porsche.

Lucca

Personally I’d favour the introduction of a retest at 70 or maybe 75. When I watch some elderly people driving erratically round supermarket car parks it does worry me.

When I watch younger people driving through a supermarket car park like it was silverstone, that worries me. All ages have people who drive without a care for anyone else, they pull into opposite traffic because they can’t wait a few seconds for cars to turn left, red light runners, pushing in aggressively on filter lanes instead of letting alternate cars in, and speeding, always .

emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.olderdrivers.org.uk%2Fdriver-assessment%2Ffind-a-driver-assessment%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C4a42d779b5e44faffb6008d930d5bbf4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637594516809130477%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=M0MRV5HSexXs1aGakeogNlwMR1q6EGOh6j%2Fjw95B9WY%3D&reserved=0

Try that link.

<< I’m not as confident recently when driving on motorways or in unfamiliar areas. >>

Can you say a little more about the reason for this? Is it because your husband does most or all of the driving when you go out together? Or is it because you have been driving less during lockdown? Or do you think your reaction times and eyesight are not what they were?

Do you have sat nav? That should help when driving in unfamilar places. The rest is mainly about confidence. The more you drive, the more comfortable and confident you feel.

A refresher course certainly wouldn't hurt. The instructor will be honest with you about any failings or bad habits and can help correct them. Also, teaching methods have changed over the years so you may learn some new techniques.

About fifteen years after passing my driving test at 20, I did a Drive and Survive course - something my employer's fleet manager required all company car drivers to do. It was a revelation. I came out of it a much more confident driver. A refresher course may do the same for you.

My Dad didn't drive for several months after my Mum died, for various reasons.
When he moved to our town I booked him some sessions with a driving instructor I know so she could assess his driving and tell us if she felt he was ok to carry on.
She was happy to do this and it gave Dad the confidence to get back behind the wheel again.

Incidentally Patsy70 I have never been happy driving on a motorway and avoid them like the plague!

Too many people continue to drive when they really should not. If you are not feeling confident please get the bus.

Personally I’d favour the introduction of a retest at 70 or maybe 75. When I watch some elderly people driving erratically round supermarket car parks it does worry me.

I haven't but would be very interested to hear how you get on.

I've got much less confident lately. After driving less during lockdown everything seems so fast and aggressive now I'm back out and about. I need to do something about it. Good luck, I hope it helps drive more confidently so you can do the things you love.