A government plan to introduce mandatory eyesight checks for drivers aged 70 and over has sparked a heated debate. The proposal, included in the latest Road Safety Strategy, would end the long-standing self-declaration system and require proof of vision at 70 and then every three years. Critics say the change could unfairly target older motorists and have wide social consequences.
What the new licence rules would mean for older drivers
The Department for Transport’s proposal replaces self-certification with a formal eyesight test on licence renewal from the age of 70.
- Drivers would need to demonstrate they meet eyesight standards when they renew at 70.
- After the first check, renewals would include tests every three years.
- The change forms part of the Road Safety Strategy published this week.
The policy eliminates the current self-declaration system that has allowed older drivers to confirm their fitness to drive without medical testing.
Age UK and advocates warn of unfair impact
Age UK has publicly criticised the proposal as imbalanced and likely to single out older people who already behave responsibly on the road.
Campaigners argue the policy risks stripping independence from many older adults, especially those without good transport links.
Age UK recommends a more measured approach, noting previous taskforce advice that suggested pairing checks with a later renewal age.
How many drivers would be affected?
The number of older licence holders has risen sharply in recent years.
- There are currently around 6.3 million drivers aged 70 or over holding full car or motorcycle licences in Britain.
- Approximately two million of those drivers go through licence renewal each year.
- Licence holdings among over-70s have increased about 60% since 2012.
- Official forecasts suggest the total could approach 7 million by 2030.
Road safety data and financial cost
Officials point to concerning casualty figures involving older motorists as justification for tighter rules.
- In 2024, 1,224 car drivers aged 70 or over were killed or seriously injured on UK roads.
- This represented a rise of around 7% compared with 2014.
- Nearly a quarter of all car driver fatalities last year were in this age group.
- Road collisions cost the NHS an estimated £3 billion in 2024 for medical and ambulance care.
- Indirect economic losses from crashes were put at about £6.9 billion.
Voices on both sides: safety, independence and evidence
Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stressed the importance of driving for many older people.
She said a licence can equal independence, especially in rural areas where public transport is sparse.
But safety officials argue the state must act on rising casualty numbers.
Experts caution that eyesight alone may not be the main cause of collisions involving older drivers. One campaigner noted that an eye test is a reasonable safeguard, but not a panacea for reducing crashes.
Coroners and inquiries have questioned whether self-declaration is sufficient in cases where vision problems were a factor.
International comparisons and previous recommendations
Several European countries already require formal eyesight checks for older drivers.
- Spain, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands include vision tests in licence renewals for older age groups.
- A past Older Drivers Taskforce recommended removing self-certification but also suggested raising the first mandatory renewal to age 75.
The taskforce observed the original age threshold of 70 dated back to 1971 and reflected different life expectancy and vehicle safety standards.
Next steps and public consultation
The government has opened a consultation on the proposed changes.
The public and stakeholders can respond to the proposals before the consultation closes on March 31.
Policymakers will weigh safety data, public feedback and comparative international practice before deciding whether to implement mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers.
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