Mandatory eyesight checks for drivers aged 70 and over have been backed by the UK‘s leading optometry bodies as ministers move closer to introducing tougher road safety laws.
The Association of Optometrists and the College of Optometrists submitted a joint response supporting the Government’s proposals for compulsory vision tests for older motorists.
The plans were examined as part of a consultation by the Department for Transport, which closed on May 11 after running for four months.
Ministers are considering replacing the current self-declaration system, where drivers simply confirm they meet legal eyesight standards when renewing their licence at 70 and every three years afterwards.
At present, no sign-off from a GP, optician or other healthcare professional is required. The optometry bodies looked at several key issues, including the age at which mandatory testing should begin, how often checks should take place and who should carry them out.
They also discussed whether healthcare professionals should have greater powers to inform the DVLA when a patient develops a condition affecting their eyesight.
Under current law, drivers are responsible for telling the DVLA if they have a medical condition that could make driving unsafe.
Making a false declaration is a criminal offence and can also invalidate motor insurance. The DVLA can investigate concerns raised by police officers, doctors, family members or members of the public, but the legal duty to report conditions remains with the motorist.
Road safety experts are calling for drivers to face mandatory eyesight tests | GETTY
The proposals follow growing concern about road safety and the rising number of elderly drivers on Britain‘s roads.
There are now more than 6.3 million full licence holders aged 70 and over in Great Britain. According to Government figures, this number has increased by 60 per cent since 2012.
Official data also showed 1,224 older car drivers were killed or seriously injured during 2024, marking a seven per cent rise compared with a decade earlier. Drivers aged 70 and above accounted for almost a quarter of all car driver fatalities that year.
Several high-profile fatal crash investigations involving older motorists have also intensified pressure on ministers to review the current system. Road collisions cost the NHS around £3billion in ambulance and medical costs during 2024.
Under the new proposals, older drivers will need to take eyesight tests every three years to keep driving on UK roads | GETTY
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Road safety is an absolute priority, and we are committed to ensuring all drivers are fit to drive safely.
“We continue to consider evidence on how best to protect all road users while supporting people to remain mobile and independent.”
Many European countries already require compulsory eyesight testing for older drivers as part of their licencing systems.
In Spain, motorists aged over 70 must undergo medical and eyesight examinations every two years. Italian drivers over 70 are required to obtain a medical certificate, including a vision test, every three years when renewing their licence.
Drivers must be able to read a registration plate from 20 metres away to travel on UK roads | MERSEYSIDE POLICE
Denmark also requires drivers to take eyesight tests at 70 and 75 before moving to checks every two years. Similar systems operate in Finland, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands.
The Department for Transport is now considering several possible options for Britain. One proposal would align compulsory eye tests with the current three-year licence renewal process.
Another option could introduce more frequent checks once drivers reach higher age milestones such as 75, 80 or 85. The Government has also suggested cognitive assessments could form part of future fitness-to-drive rules alongside eyesight testing.
The number of driving licence holders aged 70 and over is forecast to approach seven million by 2030, adding urgency to the Government’s review.