New stricter driving laws for England & Wales

The driving ban for failing eye test already exists.
My licence has been downgraded to a B1 because of sight issues. The ridiculous thing is, it is encumbent on me to inform DVLA of any further deterioration. My eyesight could go down one point, there is no way that I could detect such an small drop without a test. If I'm involved in an accident I could face jail.
The reality is, I need an eye test every day to avoid such a scenario! Obviously this isn't viable.
 
GeoffL said:
This seems extremely ageist to me. Only drivers over 70 could face bans for failing an eyesight test... Surely, anyone who can't meet the required standard represents the same level of risk no matter their age? ....
Click to expand...


I agree the way this is being reported seems ageist, whether your thirty or your seventy no one who is unfit to drive should be on our roads.

According to what’s being reported, there are only three countries in Europe who don’t ask for an eye test. But as I have already stated Geoff, I would go for renewal of driving licence every ten years for those under 75, and every three years for those over 75. The incidents mentioned involved drivers in their 80s.
With regards to the drink driving limit England & Wales are behind the curve on this one. But deaths from drink driving have not lowered in Scotland, they remain the same, and so have convictions. These new lower limits seriously affected many pubs particularly in rural locations. I just wonder what’s the point in a lower limit if hit has no effect on deaths or convictions, and all we are left with is businesses being damaged.
Obviously I am not condoning drinking and driving, but surely if these laws have proved ineffective they should be looked at. We also have minimum prices for alcohol up here, this measure has failed to lower deaths from alcoholism.
 
Last edited:
Speaking as a resident of Scotland, this announcement is about a possible change in the law in England. No mention of Wales or Scotland or NI.

How is that going to work?

I know Scotland already has a lower drink drive limit, so if you are breathalised by a Scottish policeman in Scotland you have to pass a lower threshold. I get how that works.

But needing an eye test to retain your licence in England? Well they are ALL issued from England, so this is either bad reporting that the eyesight test will only apply to England, or there really will be different rules for renewing a licence depending where you live.

If the eyesight test does come in this may affect my decision when I reach 70. My initial thought is I don't need the C1 so to avoid a medical and eye test I would just let that drop, but if forced into an eye test to renew anything, I might as well go the whole hog and get the full test and renew the C1 as well.
 
ProDave said:
Speaking as a resident of Scotland, this announcement is about a possible change in the law in England. No mention of Wales or Scotland or NI.

How is that going to work?

I know Scotland already has a lower drink drive limit, so if you are breathalised by a Scottish policeman in Scotland you have to pass a lower threshold. I get how that works.

But needing an eye test to retain your licence in England? Well they are ALL issued from England, so this is either bad reporting that the eyesight test will only apply to England, or there really will be different rules for renewing a licence depending where you live.

If the eyesight test does come in this may affect my decision when I reach 70. My initial thought is I don't need the C1 so to avoid a medical and eye test I would just let that drop, but if forced into an eye test to renew anything, I might as well go the whole hog and get the full test and renew the C1 as well.
Click to expand...
Simple really just as a U.K. licence allows you to drive in Europe and the rest of the world, a driving licence held in Scotland would be no different. Currently whilst most of Europe has mandatory testing you can drive on a U.K. licence were none is required.
But I would reckon Scotland would not be far behind England & Wales and introduce the same requirements. As for your C1 it’s more than a simple eye test which is required.
 
GeoffL said:
This seems extremely ageist to me. Only drivers over 70 could face bans for failing an eyesight test... Surely, anyone who can't meet the required standard represents the same level of risk no matter their age? ....
Click to expand...
That is just sloppy lazy sensationalist writing. Anyone could be banned if they don't meet the criteria. The operative word is could.
I received my over 70 licence over the weekend They have granted my C1 after a few backwards and forwards letters with my GP, That being so would make me think they are not just looking for an excuse to remove anyone's C1 entitlement or licence. Letters received from the DVLA asking questions all required a response within 14 days of the date on the letter which can be days from the date that you receive a letter. So you need to deal with it quickly or you will lose your entitlement. This has all taken nearly 4 months so if planning going abroad be aware.
Others may have a different experience.
 
Nothing has changed yet, that is just conspiracy journalism trying to stir up poo where none exists. They are considering eye tests for older drivers but at present only talking about it. I think it is a good idea to have eye tests, they are free and self reporting allows the delusional to fool themselves and the DVLA.
 
Fazerloz said:
That is just sloppy lazy sensationalist writing. Anyone could be banned if they don't meet the criteria. The operative word is could.
I received my over 70 licence over the weekend They have granted my C1 after a few backwards and forwards letters with my GP, That being so would make me think they are not just looking for an excuse to remove anyone's C1 entitlement or licence. Letters received from the DVLA asking questions all required a response within 14 days of the date on the letter which can be days from the date that you receive a letter. So you need to deal with it quickly or you will lose your entitlement. This has all taken nearly 4 months so if planning going abroad be aware.
Others may have a different experience.
Click to expand...
But the big difference is those under 70 don’t require any form of testing to prove they are fit to drive, and those over 70 would. By definition that’s ageist.
I accept that generally speaking older people are far more likely to have issues with eyesight, but these issues are not solely the preserve of the old. Some young people have eyesight issues. As I stated I think what’s required is that everyone throughout their lives should be required to take mandatory eyesight tests to validate their driving licence. Every ten years for those under 75 and every three years for those over 75 seems reasonable to me.
 
Fisherman said:
But the big difference is those under 70 don’t require any form of testing to prove they are fit to drive, and those over 70 would. By definition that’s ageist.
I accept that generally speaking older people are far more likely to have issues with eyesight, but these issues are not solely the preserve of the old. Some young people have eyesight issues. As I stated I think what’s required is that everyone throughout their lives should be required to take mandatory eyesight tests to validate their driving licence. Every ten years for those under 75 and every three years for those over 75 seems reasonable to me.
Click to expand...
70 is a good starting point because we all have to renew our licences at 70. Going further is a good idea but raises all sorts of new issues about licence renewals, costs etc and would be far more contentious.
 
Okta said:
Nothing has changed yet, that is just conspiracy journalism trying to stir up poo where none exists. They are considering eye tests for older drivers but at present only talking about it. I think it is a good idea to have eye tests, they are free and self reporting allows the delusional to fool themselves and the DVLA.
Click to expand...
This morning I am going for a blood test due to something spotted at last weeks eye test.
So having these tests done has many advantages.🤞
 
Fisherman said:
But the big difference is those under 70 don’t require any form of testing to prove they are fit to drive, and those over 70 would. By definition that’s ageist.
I accept that generally speaking older people are far more likely to have issues with eyesight, but these issues are not solely the preserve of the old. Some young people have eyesight issues. As I stated I think what’s required is that everyone throughout their lives should be required to take mandatory eyesight tests to validate their driving licence. Every ten years for those under 75 and every three years for those over 75 seems reasonable to me.
Click to expand...
I take your point Bill but many things are ageist as is your suggestion. Some cancer screening is ageist. Bus passes are ageist. etc, etc it's no good for someone to claim something is ageist just because it may affect them negatively personally, whilst ignoring all the positive points of ageism. Ageism can also apply to the young.
 
I would think that before anyone can renew their license a driving test should need to be passed. Not necessarily a full on test, with manouvres, but a shorter, less demanding test, just to ensure they are driving safely. If not up to a suitable standard, be given a few months to-improve and resit
 
Fisherman said:
But the big difference is those under 70 don’t require any form of testing to prove they are fit to drive, and those over 70 would. By definition that’s ageist.
I accept that generally speaking older people are far more likely to have issues with eyesight, but these issues are not solely the preserve of the old. Some young people have eyesight issues. As I stated I think what’s required is that everyone throughout their lives should be required to take mandatory eyesight tests to validate their driving licence. Every ten years for those under 75 and every three years for those over 75 seems reasonable to me.
Click to expand...
To get a driving licence you need to pass an eye test, it may be a quite rudimentary one but you still need to pass it. For many people their eyesight deteriorates as they age, 70 seems a reasonable starting age for eye tests being mandatory. It may be that getting a test for everyone when they renew their licence is better, but can you imagine the outrage.
 
Bigshug said:
I would think that before anyone can renew their license a driving test should need to be passed. Not necessarily a full on test, with manouvres, but a shorter, less demanding test, just to ensure they are driving safely. If not up to a suitable standard, be given a few months to-improve and resit
Click to expand...
How long do you think it would take for them to get through 5.6million over 70 license holders
 
Bigshug said:
I would think that before anyone can renew their license a driving test should need to be passed. Not necessarily a full on test, with manouvres, but a shorter, less demanding test, just to ensure they are driving safely. If not up to a suitable standard, be given a few months to-improve and resit
Click to expand...

Not sure how that would work. If they are not up to a suitable standard they would have to continue driving to improve.

Or did you mean they would have to take lessons to improve?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:79)

Back
Top