Specialists and road safety advocates are calling for the introduction of a legally enforced “maximum driving age,” mandating that drivers relinquish their licences once they reach a certain age. Unlike many other countries, the UK currently places the responsibility on individuals to voluntarily surrender their driving licences when they no longer feel safe behind the wheel.
While Labour is reportedly considering tougher road safety regulations, including mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70, the idea of a fixed upper age limit remains absent from official proposals. However, campaigners argue that such a cut-off would be the most effective way to ensure the safety of all road users.
John Kushnick, Legal Operations Director at the National Accident Helpline, suggests implementing a maximum driving age in the 80s, citing concerns about the rapid health deterioration that can occur in later years. “Driving fitness should become a routine part of health assessments and everyday culture, with medical changes monitored and reported much earlier,” Kushnick stated.
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Supporting these concerns, a survey conducted by motoring specialists Carmoola last autumn found that 36% of 2,000 British drivers agree with establishing a maximum driving age limit. The poll revealed varied opinions on where this limit should be set: 11% favoured 70 years, 8% proposed 60 years, and notably, 5% suggested as low as 50 years.
Despite these calls, recent data highlights that millions of elderly drivers remain active on UK roads. In 2020, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reported that 5.6 million drivers aged over 70 were still driving.
Currently, there is no upper age restriction for driving in the UK. Compare the Market noted: “You can continue to drive into your 70s, 80s, and even 90s—as long as you do not have medical conditions affecting your ability to drive safely and you are not disqualified.”
The debate continues as the UK balances respect for independence with the need for enhanced safety measures to protect all road users.