Do you think when you reach the age of 65 you should re-take your driving test?

Question

I have absolutely nothing against the elderly other than some (not all) are a danger on the roads. Their responses are slow, some have vision impairments and most have hearing impairments. I think that when you reach a certain age, you should have to take some sort of test to be able to keep your licence. What do you think??

I know that I too will be 65 one day (hopefully) and yes I would still like to see mandatory driving tests in force for the elderly. However, if I didnt think I was safe on the roads in my golden years, I would not drive. My nan has given up driving ever since she went round the roundabout the wrong way!!! I also think that when you get points on your licence for whatever reason (whatever your age) you should have to take a test of some sort to prove you are safe on the roads.

Answer 1

i read an article about this a while ago, several states tried to pass a bill for retests at 65, each time AARP fought it and won stating age discrimination. i drove a tow truck for 7 yrs. i handled local and state police towing, i cant tell you how many accidents involved elderly people who should not be in control af a car. the worst part is after the acccident most of them couldent comprehend what they did because they were so out of it mentally.

Answer 2

Personally, I think EVERYONE should re-take the written, vision, and road tests every 5 years. It's not possible to specify an age at which someone becomes less capable of driving safely since this happens at different ages for everyone. Early onset age-related dementia can occur as early as the late 30s and early 40s in severe cases while others can safely continue to drive well into their 80s.

And most drivers develop bad driving habits at all ages; the worst of these should be identified and provided the opportunity to get remedial training or removed from the road regardless of their age.

Answer 3

I have to agree there’d be more point to ‘up to the age of 25’ testing than 65. Yeah, and I’m under that 25 bracket.

Many people have yearly eye tests, more so the older generation due to prevention of loss of sight and the correction of sight, so the argument of ill sight just isn’t there as the optician would notify them of being unable to drive.

Reponses do get worse as you grow older, yet a lot of other factors effect response times, so for example you shouldn’t be allowed to drive if you’ve had less than eight to ten hours sleep, you currently aren’t stressed or aggravated and liable to have some form of road rage.
That’s 75% of current drivers knocked out on that issue.

The idea that once you hit retirement you need a ‘refresher course’ after driving for 40/50 years every-day is just lunacy, there’s more chance of you needing a refresher course after driving just one year because of all those nasty little habits you pick up, and the lack of experience to realise their true effect on the road.

Logically driving tests should be re-sat every few years, although very few would like that idea, including myself, but since when does the law need to be liked to be respected?

Answer 4

Absolutely! My grandma is 72 now, totally got her wits about her, perfect vision, she's jst lost all awareness of what's going on around her on the road - she often drives at 20MPH in a 40 area and doesn't notce the huge line of traffic building behind her. Maybe rather than a complete driving test, a road awareness test would benefit older drivers. I think 65 might be too young though, maybe 70 would be more appropriate?

Answer 5

YES! I think you should have to take the test again every 10-15 years. Think just how much changes on our roads and with the actual testing procedures during that time frame. A good friend of mine who has bad eyesight has been told she will not be able to drive again but the old fogies who canny see a thing either are still allowed the freedom to drive.

Answer 6

I do think they should re-take the test. Exspashly when one or more of there five seasons are going. Its a hard topic to bring up. They have been driving all there lifes and fear if they lose there liscens to drive they will lose a part of there freedom. They dont want to thank about safty, just freedom.

When I am 65 I hope I can remmber this so I can do the right thing and make sure it is safe for me to keep driving.

Answer 7

I love you!!!! Yes i totally agree, i say this all the time to people that they should have to re-take their test, i hear about so many elderly having accidents because of slow reactions and not thinking. Some really are a danger on the road!
Same applies for some women- i hate it when i see them doing their make-up or hair! Makes me MAD!

Answer 8

I think everybody of retirement age should be sent on refresher driving courses to make sure they are still on the ball.Also they should have to have a reasonably hard but not obviously a full test ,every 2 years or so.There are too many elderly people on the roads ,putting themselves and other people at risk.Im not saying all old people shouldnt drive but it is somthing that should be strictly monitered for eveyones sakes,theirs and ours.

Answer 9

No. Everyone should have to retake their driving test on a 5 yearly basis.
Older people tend to be slower which is anoying, but younger drivers are just as bad in different ways.
I have noticed that as the average age of the population increases the number of slow drivers on the road in increasing.

Answer 10

I think there should be tests continually given, perhaps every five-seven years for ALL drivers. Not just the ability to drive, but perhaps the permit test which reminds people of the rules of the road and an eye test as well. It would take care of the discrimination factor, and would help to weed out bad drivers of all ages!