Warning to drivers over 70 who may not be 'legally allowed to drive'
Drivers should receive a D46P application form 90 days from the DVLA before their 70th birthday.
Drivers who are aged 70 and over and have not renewed their licence are not 'legally allowed to drive', according to experts. That's because 90 days before drivers turn 70, they should receive a D46P application form from the DVLA.
Age UK stated that if a person's drivers licence expires and they are unable to apply for a new one within the timeframe then they are not legally allowed to get behind the wheel. The charity states: "Don't forget to apply for any extra categories of vehicle covered on your old licence if you still want to be able to drive them.
"There might be extra costs for these but if you don't apply for these extra categories you'll only be able to drive a car in future."
It comes amid calls for over 70s to sit new MOTs and health checks. Currently drivers aged 70 and over must self-certify themselves fit to drive and don't need any medical input for this, reports Birmingham Live.
Andrew Jervis, Co-Founder and CEO at ClickMechanic, said about the so-called 'driver MOT ': "It's a tricky balance keeping all road users safe without making older drivers feel like they're being pushed off the road".
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One driver fumed: "Look, I already have annual eye tests every November. Is it suggested I would need yet another one 4 months later when my licence needs renewal and just how is it the responsibility of the opticians to report their findings to the DVLC, and who pays for that.
"Much better idea, carry out regular stop and search checks and pick off the no licence? No insurance cover? and the many drug taking drivers. Who incidentally are unlikely to be fed 70 plus."
Dr James Adeley, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire, stressed that the visual legal standard for road users was "ineffective and unsafe'.
James added: 'Doing nothing means the risk of more avoidable deaths and life-changing injuries remains, caused by people whose quality of vision means they should no longer be driving."
Dr Adeley stressed: 'The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver's sight was well below the standard required to drive a car.
"The current system for 'ensuring' drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society as evidenced by the deaths of Marie Cunningham, Grace Foulds, Anne Ferguson and Peter Westwell where the DVLA continued to provide licences to drivers who had failed to meet the legal sight requirements."
According to experts, motorists over the age of 70 may find it harder to get cheaper policies because some companies 'impose an age limit'.
Connor Campbell, an expert at Independent Advisor Car Insurance, previously said older drivers may feel locked off because of the cut-off dates for some car insurance policies is between 70 and 80 years of age.
Because of their age they will be expected to pay more than less experienced, younger drivers, which is another blow for pensioners who feel fit and able to still drive.
Connor said: " He said: 'Legally, there is no maximum age limit for car insurance as long as you're still fit and healthy enough to drive. So in your 70s and beyond, there will be a car insurance policy out there that will allow you to maintain your independence and stay on the road. You may have slightly less choice, however.
'While most car insurance providers don't impose an age limit on their policies, some do. This will normally be between 70 and 80 years of age.'
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