Two key tests people born in these two years must face in 2025 to continue driving

People over the age of 70 must prove their eyesight and health is up to scratch (Image: Getty)

Drivers over 70 need to pass two key health tests if they need to renew their licences in 2025, the Government and DVLA has said. Everyone over the age of 70 has to renew their licence - it’s a free process and can be easily done online.

As part of the system people who turn 70 in 2025 - so born in 1955 or 1954 will need to make the application soon and subsequently it has to be renewed every three years. This is because as people get older their capacity to drive can change, based on health issues and conditions quickly, so the checks have been brought in for their safety and that of other motorists.

One key issue is being able to meet the eyesight threshold. There have been calls from opticians for the eye test to become mandatory after a survey showed they reported a high proportion of people with poor eyesight still driving.

In a recent warning today the DVLA took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: ”After you turn 70, you need to renew your licence every 3 years. It’s easy, quick and secure to do it online.”

On the issue of eyesight the RAC says: “When you fill in the form to renew your licence, you’ll be asked to declare that you meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving. It’s illegal to drive if you can’t read a standard number plate from a distance of 20 metres, either with or without glasses. You also need to have an adequate field of vision and visual acuity must be at least decimal 0.5 on the Snellen scale (this is the opticians’ test where you read rows of letters from big to small).

“To make sure you meet the eyesight standard for driving, it’s recommended you have an eye test at least every two years. Any condition that affects your eyes, apart from long and short-sightedness and colour blindness, should be reported to the DVLA.”

An increasing number of Britons – 65%, as reported by YouGov – are in favour of mandatory re-testing for drivers aged 70 and older. This comes in the aftermath of a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the tragic death of a three-year-old child in Edinburgh involving a driver with cognitive impairments, where the courts have suggested cognitive tests before licence renewals to enhance road safety.

If people do not renew their licence but carry on driving, they would not have a valid driving licence and so your motor insurance would not be valid. They would be committing a serious offence which carries stringent penalties, which could include a heavy fine and having your car seized by the police.

People do need to declare any new medical conditions - and also make a promise on their eyesight. The RAC says it’s important to be honest about the state of your health when you apply to renew your licence. It’s an offence not to declare a condition or disability that might affect your fitness to drive and you could be fined up to £1,000.

Conditions you must disclose include:

• Dementia
• Diabetes requiring insulin treatment
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Sleep apnoea
• Any physical disabilities or visual impairments

For more advice on renewing your licence the RAC advice can be seen here. The DVLA offers an online renewal service for speed which can be found here. https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70 Your new licence should arrive within a week if you apply online. Postal applications may take up to three weeks to process.