Calls for mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers

There are growing calls for stricter eyesight testing for older British drivers with the current system described as the "laxest in Europe."

A number of tragic eyesight-related cases have led to growing awareness of the issues around older drivers with defective vision.

They include 82-year-old Peter Gardner, who was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Gardner was unable to read more than three metres (10 feet) ahead. The legal minimum is 20 metres (65 feet).

More recently, four pedestrians have been killed by drivers who knowingly drove despite failing eyesight, says GEM Motoring Assist.

One driver, 68-year-old Glyn Jones, couldn’t even see the steering wheel in front of him. He was jailed for seven years.

A recent study by Medical Xpress estimates that 720,000 UK drivers have defective vision.

The issue, says GEM’s head of road safety James Luckhurst, involves the self-certification of drivers aged over 70 of their fitness to drive.

They are required to do this every three years – but the lack of mandatory medical or vision checks during the process means that the process has been labelled ineffective and unsafe. What's more, changes in vision can often go unnoticed.

The Association of Optometrists says that one on four people admitted being concerned about someone they knew who was driving with impaired vision.

The Older Drivers Task Force is now recommending raising the self-declaration age to 75 and bringing in mandatory eye tests with proof-of-vision checks to renew a driving licence.

Optometrists should also report results directly to the DVLA.

GEM goes one further, recommending a three-year ‘Driver MoT’ that focuses on vision, reaction times and cognitive awareness.

"It’s not full retesting, but it would go a long way to identify drivers at risks without imposing unnecessary penalties on those drivers fortunate enough to retain good standards of vision," says Luckhurst, 

"This has nothing to do with restricting freedom. It’s all about safer roads, while helping everyone accept that a perceived ‘right to drive’ doesn’t unnecessarily put someone else’s life at risk."

Ask HJ

Why is it taking the DVLA so long to reissue my driving licence?

The DVLA revoked my driving licence of 50+ years in Sept 2024 due to cataracts in both eyes. I have undergone extensive eye surgery. The Consultant (March 2025) as well as Boots Optometrists (March & April 2025) have evidenced my sight meets and exceeds DVLA requirements. I have applied to DVLA for reissuance but they cannot say when it will be approved. Meanwhile I have a £13K car on my driveway, MoT'd and fully serviced a week ago but with the insurance due to run out on May. What can I do?

It is frustrating having to wait for a response from the DVLA when reapplying for a licence but unfortunately this is not an uncommon occurrence. The DVLA do not give a waiting time for licence renewal or reissue on medical grounds as the amount of time taken to process can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case. You could contact your insurer to see if they will pause your cover, but that would mean your vehicle was uninsured against theft or damage while on your driveway.

Answered by David Ross

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