Over 70s are 'not legally allowed to drive' if they commit licence mistake
Drivers over 70 who fail to renew their licences are being warned that they are "not legally allowed to drive". Age UK emphasised that the DVLA is supposed to dispatch a D46P application form 90 days before one's 70th birthday, to ensure the continuity of lawful driving.
If you let your licence lapse without applying for a renewal, be aware that you won't be legally entitled to drive. The charity advises: "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."
Moreover, they caution: "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."
The guidance has been issued amid discussions that seniors should have routine MOTs and health checks. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
It has also sparked some frustration among drivers, with one saying: "Look, I already have annual eyetests 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," reports BirminghamLive.
"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."
Driving safety standards were also put into question by Dr James Adeley, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire, who labelled the current visual legal requirements as "ineffective and unsafe" following four separate deaths.
He 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 said: "The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver's sight was well below the standard required to drive a car."
He added: "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."
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