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Over two-thirds (67%) of motorists believe seniors should be required to retake their driving test
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Millennials are the generation that back senior driver retesting the most, with over three-quarters (79%) supporting this
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Motorists think senior drivers should retake their test due to concerns that ageing could cause slower reaction times (64%), sight issues (62%) and deteriorated health (52%)
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Uswitch car insurance expert, Leoni Moninska, shares tips around safe driving for senior drivers
Should drivers have to retake their test when they reach a certain age? Uswitch car insurance recently investigated what UK motorists really think.
Motorists think senior drivers should retake their test
Over two-thirds (67%) of drivers in the UK believe that once licence holders reach a certain age, they should be required to retake their practical driving test. The generation that supported this the most were millennials (those aged 28-43) with over three-quarters (79%) of them agreeing that this should be mandatory. When asking senior drivers if they agree, just over two-fifths (45%) of those aged 65+ think retesting should be required.
In the UK, there are no age-based requirements to stop driving or retake your test when you reach a certain age, or have held your license for a number of years. When a driver reaches 70, they just have to reapply for their licence every 3 years, without having to take a test[1].
When asked what age respondents thought senior drivers should retest, the most popular age range selected was 70-74 (33%). Additionally, almost half (49%) think senior drivers should have to retake every 2-3 years, and only 4% think they should only have to retake their test once. Those who believe retesting should only occur once were mainly Generation X or Baby Boomers (62%).
Motorists fear senior drivers’ slow reaction times and sight issues could be a potential hazard
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Top reason for supporting retesting |
% of drivers who answered |
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Slower reaction times |
64% |
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Sight issues |
62% |
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Deteriorated health |
52% |
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Deteriorated attention |
51% |
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Deteriorated driving performance |
44% |
The most common conviction for senior drivers is speeding
When looking at safety and road rules, the most common driving offences committed by motorists aged 60+ involve speeding. Between 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024, the top offences for this age group were exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road (75%) and exceeding speed limit on a motorway (15%). They were responsible for one in five (22%) of these two offences overall[2].
In terms of accident rate, the number of car insurance quote requests with the incident circumstance of ‘accident’ for those aged 61+ accounted for 12% of total claims between September 2023 – 2024[3].
Driving test pass rates for senior drivers is low
For motorists taking their driving test later in life, the pass rate is low. Out of those aged 60+ who took their test between 1 September 2023 to 31 March 2024, only 35% passed[4]. The reasons behind this are unclear; it could be due to deteriorated wellbeing, but also confidence or knowledge of driving regulations / rules.
Uswitch car insurance expert, Leoni Moninska, shares tips on how senior drivers can help ensure their safety on the roads:
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“Accurately report any medical conditions: By law, if you develop a medical condition, or an existing one worsens, you must report this to the DVLA[5] or DVA[6] (if you live in Northern Ireland). Accurately reporting these is important to ensure you meet the medical standards to drive. Failing to do so is considered a serious offence; you can be fined up to £1,000 and persecuted if you are caught in an accident[7].
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“Assess whether it’s safe to drive: If you still have a valid licence, it’s important to self assess your capability to drive. You can do this by acknowledging any physical or mental changes that might impact your ability, including reaction times, awareness and mobility. If you have any concerns regarding how a medical issue may impact driving, you should speak to a doctor. It’s also important to ensure you feel confident on the road, not only about operating a vehicle but also any new laws / regulations related to driving or roads.
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“Make your car comfortable: There are car accessories that can make your driving experience more comfortable. These are often designed for specific circumstances. For example, if you have trouble getting in and out of a vehicle transfer boards can help, as well as detachable handles to provide an additional point of support. Seat belt grabbers can also help if you struggle with reaching.”
