If Old Folk Had To Pass A Driving Test To Continue To Drive After , Say, 70, What Would You Do?

[ladybirder]

Would you quake at the thought and not bother and accept that you wouldn't be able to drive anymore? Or would you bite the bullet and take the test?

I hate the thought of having to take a test again as I would become a bundle of nerves but I hate even more the thought of never driving again as I actually love driving.

What about you? You don't have to be 70 or over to answer:-)

[zebo]

I don't think I would be too worried, I watch all the Grand Prix! My dream job would be driving the safety car, the thought of all those egos behind would be great.

A serious answer, boring but there you are, no I wouldn't be, I've been driving since 1972 with no my-fault accidents and three parking tickets one of which was a mistake because I fed the wrong machine. I'm sure that I have bad habits, do you still have to do 10 to 2 with your hands? Apparently someone failed because of bare feet, that could cause a problem for me.

[Old_Geezer]

I would take the test, obviously !

Then ask my insurers for a reduction in premium due to my passing with flying colours.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh, I didn't realise one had to take it bare footed :-(
Might get my toe stuck behind the pedal.

[gness]

I'd be nervous of course, LB but I think it's a good idea...

Like you I enjoy driving.......am quite confident I'd pass.....but then most of us taking the test would be...
If told my driving was a danger to me and others I'd stop but with a very heavy heart...

I wonder if maybe a short refresher course every couple of years from say the age of sixty five would prevent some getting to the stage where they have to give up? Keep us on our toes and gently point out things we're doing wrong and can rectify?

[sunny-dave]

No problem - if I didn't think I could pass I'd not be on the road.

I might have an appropriate refresher before - the 'approved' way of doing some things has changed since I was last tested - often for no discernible safety reason.

[gness]

Oh heck....I read 75 for 70....I'm not far off 70 .....old folk!!! Crikey...I'm almost an old folk.... :-(

May just report LB for .....don't know....something.... ;-)

[ladybirder]

Would you feel confident doing the Theory bit as well?

[sunny-dave]

I'd practice that very intensively LB - I had a look a while ago and it's *very* prescriptive in terms of what it wants (rather than what is right in real life on the roads).

[ladybirder]

Gn I don't think we should be called old until we are 80 but 70 seems to be the age chosen whenever this subject comes up so that's why I picked it:-) Mind you some people are old at 20!

[gness]

I'm not sure about that, LB as I've not seen it......but like Dave says.... some lessons and chat with an instructor before hand would be useful...x

[gness]

True, LB......I know some very old young folk.....I'll go with 80...x

[douglas9401]

I'd take it, no problem.
Would it entitle those who pass to drive like slack-jawed youth in Corsas though?

[sunny-dave]

Only when drinking complan "in da hood", Doogie

[woofgang]

Honestly I don’t know...I think the idea is one of those knee jerk things which the statistics don’t actually support...also from my own experience of working with older people, most of them adjust their driving to suit their needs and abilities...sadly its the ones who don’t who make the headlines.

[EDDIE51]

This has come up before. I do not think retaking the driving test is necessary but once you reach 70 an eye test to check that you can still meet the eyesight requirements should be mandatory. At the moment you only have to self certify that you still meet the requirements, there should be a test by a doctor or optician. We had to stop my Mum driving at the age of 82 when she could not see well enough to recognize her own car in the car park!

[ladybirder]

You haven't answered the question EDDIE.

[Mamyalynne]

I don't drive and now never will but I do think periodic testing through a driving lifetime makes sense.

[EDDIE51]

I do not think it is necessary to retake the test , but if I had to I would not hesitate to take it.

[EDDIE51]

^^ And if I failed I would accept that I was no longer capable of safely driving.