Mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over the age of 70 has won government backing, following growing concern over road safety risks linked to age-related vision decline. A new proposal under the UK’s Road Safety Strategy will require drivers in this age group to take an eye test every three years, replacing the current self-declaration system.
The move follows fresh data highlighting the disproportionate involvement of elderly drivers in fatal accidents. While drivers over 70 represent just 13% of all licence holders, they account for 24% of all driver fatalities, prompting calls for formal health verification instead of relying on voluntary disclosure.
Shift From Self-Certification to Regular Testing
Under current UK law, drivers must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if their health makes them unfit to drive. They are also expected to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres. However, there is no legal requirement for any formal eyesight assessment once a licence has been issued, an approach widely viewed as outdated in light of current safety data.
According to Auto Express, the government is now taking steps to address this gap by introducing a structured testing system for older motorists. Instead of self-certifying, drivers aged 70 and over will soon need to pass an eyesight test every three years. This will ensure they continue to meet the minimum visual standard required to drive safely on public roads.
The proposal comes amid increasing awareness of how gradual vision loss can go unnoticed. Common issues like blurred distance vision, poor night visibility or glare from headlights can significantly affect reaction times and hazard awareness. According to Steve Walker, Head of Digital Content at Auto Express, this policy is supported by long-standing evidence: “Eyesight can deteriorate more quickly with age, and older drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in serious accidents.”
Broad Public Support for Tighter Regulations
Public sentiment appears firmly behind the new requirements. According to a poll conducted by Auto Express, 72% of respondents support mandatory eyesight checks every three years for drivers over 70, with nearly half (44%) stating they strongly back the proposal. Only 5% were against such measures.
The survey also reveals that concern about driver vision is not limited to older age groups. A wider 76% of participants said they would support mandatory eye tests for drivers of all ages, either every three years or at licence renewal, which currently happens every ten years.
Despite the apparent appetite for broader reform, officials appear to favour a more targeted approach. According to Walker, “Introducing compulsory checks every 10 years for all drivers risks being overly bureaucratic when the evidence shows eyesight deterioration is far more likely later in life.”
Even so, the underlying message from the government and campaigners remains the same: vision quality plays a fundamental role in road safety. Drivers of any age are urged to take responsibility for their eyesight and seek medical advice if they experience difficulties such as double vision, eye strain or problems reading road signs.
As the new testing framework prepares for implementation, attention now turns to how it will be enforced and whether further steps may follow. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on ensuring older drivers meet the basic visual standards required to stay safe behind the wheel.
