What the Law Requires

There is no legal age at which you must stop driving. You can decide when to stop as long as you do not have any medical conditions that affect your driving. There are certain changes to your health that can affect your driving and how to give up your licence, if needed.

What you need to consider as an older driver:

• You must renew your driving licence every three years after you turn 70, but there are no laws on what age you must stop driving.
• Unless your health or eyesight suddenly get worse, it can be difficult to know when you should stop driving.
• Your safety and the safety of other road users are the most important things to consider. If you are concerned that your driving is not as good as it was and you may be putting yourself or other road users at risk - stop before you have an accident.

It may be time to give up driving if:

• Your reactions are noticeably slower than they used to be.
• You find traffic conditions increasingly stressful.
• Your eyesight is getting worse.
• You have a medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely – ask your GP for advice. The older we are, the more experience we have as drivers. This is one of the reasons why older drivers tend to be safer and more considerate drivers.

The law on medical conditions and driving:

• You must tell the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) about any medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive safely. This could be previous health conditions that have worsened or new ones.
• If you are involved in an accident where your health condition may have been a factor, you could be prosecuted. Your insurance may also not cover you.
• Check whether you need to notify the DVA of your medical condition.

Our health and fitness often begins to decline as we grow older and  may include - eyesight, physical condition, reaction times, we may develop age related conditions or be taking medications, that can affect our driving.

Some conditions get worse over time, so it is important to regularly monitor how they affect your driving and to take advice from a doctor, pharmacist or other medical professional.

If you are not sure:

• If you are not sure whether you need to report a medical condition, consult your GP or contact the DVA for advice.
• You should surrender your licence to the DVA if your doctor tells you to stop driving or if you do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition. If you do not surrender your licence, you must still inform the DVA.
• If your driving licence was revoked or refused by the DVA for medical reasons, you must not drive until the DVA informs you that you can start driving again. If you drive while your licence is revoked you would be unlicensed and uninsured, which means you would be committing a serious offence which carries stringent penalties, including a heavy fine and having your car seized by the police.

Use the links below or above for further information and advice.

Older Drivers outlines the requirements in Northern Ireland.

Eyesight explains the law about the minimum eyesight requirements for drivers.

Renewing Your Driving Licence at 70 plus.

Medical Conditions outlines the most common health conditions that might affect our driving over time and what to do if one affects you.