Government plans compulsory eye tests for over 70's

An update on this.

The Department of Transport has now opened a public consultation. Closes 31 March 2026. Here if you want to take part:

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers

Questions to consider:

Question 1: Who do you think should be responsible for notifying the DVLA when a licence holder is diagnosed with a medical condition that may affect their ability to meet the vision standards for driving?

Question 2: Do you agree or disagree that mandatory eyesight testing should be introduced for older drivers?

Question 3: Do you agree or disagree that 70 years is the appropriate age for mandatory eyesight testing to start?

Question 4: In your view, how often should older drivers be required to have a mandatory eyesight test?

Question 5: Why do you think this frequency is correct?

Question 6: In your view, should the frequency of mandatory eyesight tests increase as drivers get older?

Question 7: At what age, in your view, should the frequency of mandatory eyesight testing be increased?

Question 8: Why do you think the frequency of mandatory eyesight testing should be increased at this age?

Question 9: What, in your view, should the mandatory eyesight test cover?

• visual acuity (a measure of the eyes’ ability to see sharpness of vision. This is usually measured by reading letters on a chart from a set distance, with glasses or contacts if needed)

• visual field (this is measured using machinery which tests your central and side vision and identifies if you have vision problems)

• identification of a visual condition

•confirmation that drivers meet the legal eyesight standards for driving

• another test

Question 10: Who, in your view, should be responsible for conducting the mandatory eyesight test?

Question 11: Who, in your view, should be responsible for notifying the DVLA of the outcome of the mandatory eyesight test?

Question 12: Outside of any potential mandatory eyesight testing requirements, who do you think should be responsible for notifying the DVLA when a licence holder may no longer meet the vision standards for driving?

Question 13: Do you have any further comments?

If you have questions about this consultation, contact:

Road safety division
Department for Transport
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR

Alternatively, you can email: mandatoryeyesighttes[email protected].

Devorgilla

MOnica, I am very impressed that DVLA turned around your online application in under a week in this new year. Yours must have hit the right desk. Wish mine had. Was the postal service equally efficient at getting the hard copy to you?

Devorgilla I said a week or so, not under a week. I think it was about 10 days between ordering the licence online and receiving it in the post.

I have now renewed my licence four times since 70 and I do not think it has ever been problematic.

Absolutely all for this.I regularly get tested because there is a strong history of glaucoma in my family. However at least 2 of my neighbours shouldn't be driving from what I can see daily.Both won't use their drives now despite still plenty of room to get in and out for a competent driver. They park on the road now which is frustrating in a small cul de sac.Too far from the pavement most times.And drive way too slowly. It sounds harsh but I hope I know when the time comes to give up.

MOnica, I am very impressed that DVLA turned around your online application in under a week in this new year. Yours must have hit the right desk. Wish mine had. Was the postal service equally efficient at getting the hard copy to you?

I had planned to run my DH to his dental appointment today as his mobility is poor. Several posters suggested I could drive if licence renewal application was pending. Indeed, Form D46 seems to confirm this. It's the 70+ renewal information. I also had in front of me the automatic 'Application completed' email you get when you first submit your online application form for renewal. I then spotted an extra line in the information section re driving before receipt of licence. There is an added condition which reads: 'the entitlement on your licence has not expired'. Mine has, therefore it appears I cannot drive in the interim. If any other GNS still have their automatic email, I would be interested in knowing if they also have that condition. I will be trying the DVLA number again. Moi, paranoid, Monica - I am now.

I can't see the problem with getting an eye test, if you have eyesight problems and don't correct them you could cause an accident.

Here in New South Wales we have medical and very thorough eye test annually after 75. And driving test every 2 years after 85.

"people like you" rolling with mirth here hen 🤣

paddyann54

*Old Frill * I often wonder why people like you stay in Scotland you seem very unhappy with all things Scottish .You might find kindred spirits elsewhere.
Strangely I have several friends who moved here from England and have nothing but praise for NHS scotland and many other aspects of Scottish life .

I'm don't know whether it's intentional or because you are misinformed that you frequently give out false information. Im sorry if being corrected upsets you.

It’s alright for me to say I am alright Jack. I recently had long term surgery on my right eye taking over a year to recover and no longer needing reading glasses. Quite unusual I believe but eyesight was damaged during the operation. The left eye was very successful and gave me back the distance sight I had as a young woman. The end result is 20/20 vision and I no longer require glasses for anything. I have a letter from my eye surgeon to produce to the DVLA. I can understand people’s concerns about meeting the eyesight requirements. It’s scary.

Every time a driver has an eye test or get new glasses, why can't the optometrist send their unique driving licence code to a central DVLA register?

Regular yearly eye tests here, how often will they want us to have one. Will they be free if more often. Should target all not just older drivers, .

Old Frill I often wonder why people like you stay in Scotland you seem very unhappy with all things Scottish .You might find kindred spirits elsewhere.
Strangely I have several friends who moved here from England and have nothing but praise for NHS scotland and many other aspects of Scottish life .

*Old frill *we have a very good number of dental practices in my area all of them advertise regularly for new NHS patients.
I have never had an issue finding a dentist …between my home and the local large medical centre there are 5 practices with 2 or more inside the health centre.I use a dentist in Dumbarton who also advertises for NHS patients his practice with multiple dentists is just one of several in the town.
If your area has none maybe you need to find out why.

I think DD in Australia says that you have to have your eyes tested when you renew your driving licence, which is every 10 years for younger people.

My kids did their driving tests in Sweden where you had to get an optician certificate in order to apply for a learner permit.

The certificate can include stipulations that prohibit you from driving without glasses etc

Devorgilla

Interesting that this thread came on today as it confirmed what I posted on January 4th on 'Driving over 80' thread on Ask a Gran. I applied for my licence mid November and I am still waiting. I am told it is 'In progress' on the site but I feel I am part of this policy to get us off the road. I applied for my licence 2 days after my eye test so that I knew I was fit to drive. I don't think it will make any difference. If they want you off the roads, they will get you off the road. Those of you who are 70+ start campaigning now for better local transport or a taxi allowance.

You sound almost paranoid (Devergilla). I am 82 and got my new licence this year within a week or so of applying. No problem at all.

DH had problems because he has been diagnosed with heart failure and was sent an extra form which he completed satisfactorily. There was then a hold up because they wanted doctor's reports and we moved house in July, so he was transferred from one set of hosiptals and doctors to another, and that complicated matters, but he now has his renewed licence.

I have seen no evidence at all that the government wants over 70s off the road. Just those whose physical and mental condition is such that they are danger to themselves and others if they do drive because their eyesight or their cognitive condition is below a functional level.

Interesting that this thread came on today as it confirmed what I posted on January 4th on 'Driving over 80' thread on Ask a Gran. I applied for my licence mid November and I am still waiting. I am told it is 'In progress' on the site but I feel I am part of this policy to get us off the road. I applied for my licence 2 days after my eye test so that I knew I was fit to drive. I don't think it will make any difference. If they want you off the roads, they will get you off the road. Those of you who are 70+ start campaigning now for better local transport or a taxi allowance.

But does everyone over seventy have their free eye test. It just occurred to me that anyone who suspects that their eyesight is failing won’t have a test but at least it will mean that ( I assume) they can be prosecuted for not doing so? Having said that, with having to renew the licence it at least means that they would only be able to continue driving till their licence came up for renewal.

Perhaps the length of the over 70 year licence could be increased to four years then it would fit in with the rhythm of regular free eye checks every 2 years, which every one over retirement age has. This would mean no extra work load on opticians

I mean, I assume everyone sensible enough to be on GN does have regular eyechecks every two years.

Doodledog

I think the sight checks are a good idea, but agree with those who say they should apply to all age groups, not just the over-70s.

Perhaps say that people over 70 need testing every two years but younger people have one every 10 years? There must be a lot of people driving around that have never had an eye test. It makes more sense to have to prove older drivers have had an eyesight test than have compulsory driving tests. I do hope, though, that the government will liaise with the people who do the tests and make sure that they can cope with the extra demand.

I’m about to renew my licence and have recently been diagnosed with glaucoma. At the same time I have 20/20 vision. The issue regarding a licence to drive will be to what extent my field of vision is affected.

I’ve returned my renewal form and have also completed a “fitness to drive” form online. The next step will be a compulsory eye test, the result of which will be sent directly to DVLA for analysis. I won’t be given the result, so will wait with bated breath to hear the outcome, as I live in a very rural situation with no public transport.

So in the case of certain eye conditions an eye test is already compulsory. (I think this doesn’t apply if only one eye is affected.)

The present eye test required for driving is not that stringent, with minimum distance vision being 6/12. If anyone is marginal on that they should not drive IMO. That is not the only criteria of course.

LizzieDrip

^Are you seriously suggesting that people who cannot see properly should be allowed to drive just because they live somewhere rural^

No that’s not what I’m suggesting.

No matter where the line is placed there will always be 2 people, with almost identical eyesight, the one with marginally better sight will be allowed to keep their licence and one won't be.

I think the sight checks are a good idea, but agree with those who say they should apply to all age groups, not just the over-70s.