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Driving as you get older
You may have been driving for many years, but there are some things that you need to take into consideration as you get older and your circumstances change.
You and your driving licence
Can I ever be too old to drive?
There is no upper age limit for driving a car. However, all drivers have to renew their driving licence when they reach the age of 70 and every three years from then on. The renewal form will be sent to you automatically by the Driver Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA). For more information, visit the Directgov website.
Is there anything else I should know?
If you have, or develop, a disability or medical condition that affects your ability to drive, you must by law notify the DVLA. If you inform the DVLA about a disability or medical condition, you will normally be sent a confidential medical form, asking you to describe your medical condition in greater detail, and to agree to the DVLA getting a medical report from your GP or consultant.
Having a disability or medical condition does not necessarily mean that your driving licence will be affected. Some conditions will lead to your licence being restricted, withdrawn or refused if you are applying for the first time. You may be required to have a medical or driving test. These tests are free, and you will be given priority at a driving test centre.
If you have any doubts about your eligibilty to drive, you should consult your GP.
Experienced Driver Assessments
If it is a long time since you passed your driving test and you would like an objective assessment of your current driving skills, you might like to have an Experienced Driver Assessment (EDA).
What is an EDA and who is it for?
An EDA may be useful for:
- people wishing to make the most of their retirement by travelling around, but who feel slightly apprehensive about driving on today’s roads; or
- older people wishing to reassure themselves and their loved ones that they can still drive safely.
An EDA is not a test; it is an assessment which will provide an objective and confidential report on your driving ability at the time.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) offers Experienced Driver Assessments in association with the Guild of Experienced Motorists.
What does an EDA involve?
The assessment will involve an hour's drive in your own car, at a time and place convenient to you, which can be near to your home. A qualified driver who is registered with the RoSPA Advanced Drivers' Association will accompany you during the assessment. Afterwards, you will be given a confidential verbal and written report of the drive and a certificate of completion.
There is no pass or fail to the assessment, but your report may include suggestions on how you can improve specific driving skills and your all round driving ability.
To find out about course dates in your area, or for further information, visit the RoSPA website.
Low speed scooters and buggies
If you no longer drive a car, or are not a car driver but need something to help you to get about, a wide variety of low speed buggies and scooters are available that can be driven either on the pavement or on the road.
If you think that one of these options would be useful, you should seek advice on which particular vehicle would be most suitable for your needs. You can get assistance with this from Disability North. For further information, contact them using the details given below, or visit the Disability North website.
Local support
North East Drive Mobility aim to help people to retain or regain their independence as drivers or passengers. The service is open to experienced and learner drivers, provisional licence holders and passengers with a medical condition or disability which may affect their ability to drive or use a vehicle. The scheme offers:
- assessment of driving ability - this takes place on a purpose-built driving track, as well as on the public highway
- advice on vehicle adaptations
- advice on getting in and out of a vehicle, and wheelchair storage
- specialist driving tuition
- information and advice service, including advice on possible alternatives to using a car, for example community transport services
You can refer yourself or be referred by your GP, occupational therapist, the DVLA, Motability or any other agencies. For further information, contact North East Drive Mobility using the details given below, or visit the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust website.
Other useful information
Age UK's factsheet Driving and parking
Transport Direct
It can be easy to mislay important documents and information. Age UK has developed a LifeBook so you can find exactly what you need without searching through file after file. You can record all sorts of useful details, from who insures your car, to where you put the TV licence. The LifeBook will not only help you to be more organised but could also be invaluable to a family member or a friend if they need to locate important information about you in an emergency. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions to fill in the various sections with your details, contacts and locations of important documents. The LifeBook is free. For more information, visit the Age UK website.
Contact Information
Disability North
The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 1PH.
Telephone : 0191 284 0480, Fax : 0191 213 0910, Minicom : 0191 285 7261.
Email : reception@disabilitynorth.org.uk
DVLA (local office)
Eagle Star House, Regent Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3QF.
Telephone : 0870 850 0007.
North East Drive Mobility
Walkergate Park, Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD.
Telephone : (0191) 287 5090.
Email : northeast.drivemobility@ntw.nhs.uk
Article last updated January 24, 2012 8:17 pm
