Age To Give Up Driving?

[cupotee2]

At what age would you consider right to give up driving?

I've just applied to renew my licence online. I am thinking this is the last time I will apply seeing as I will be late 70's by next time.

I don't enjoy it now tho its handy for shopping and medical appointments that seem to crop up all the time.

[ferlew]

Hard one, I am ok with buses etc, but OH really needs door to door.
I drive for his sake.

[woofgang]

I don't think its an age thing. I think it depends on your eyesight, hearing, general physical health and reaction times and the kind of driving you want to do. There are many options for getting a driving assessment if you want one. Google older persons driving assessment and the area where you live.

Here's the Hampshire option as an example
https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/product.php?productid=16384&cat=270&page=1

[bhg481]

It's like most other things in life - there isn't a fixed age because we're all different. You need to be honest with yourself about your driving ability and take advice from relatives/close friends.

[wendilla]

Hi keep your independence for as long as you feel you are still capable. I am in my mid 70s .I am not saying I enjoy driving especially on motorways but I am free to go when and where I like . As woofgang says as long as you still have these abilities I would not dream of giving up .

[tearinghair]

I feel much the same as you, cupotee2 and all answerers (?). I sometimes wish the optician or doctor would tell me it's time to stop, so that I don't have to make the decision myself. But I have a couple of friends who live in villages some way away, and where there is no convenient bus service, so I expect I'll carry on for a bit longer.

[wendilla]

don't give up tearinghair that is the wrong attitude to take . You will lose all your independence. And you won't see your friends as often as you would like to.

[KARL]

By all means continue having a licence but if you are sort of wishing someone else will decide you shouldn't drive then the time is surely approaching when having a licence is just the formality and you will effectively stop having a use for it because you feel unwilling or even unsafe to drive.

[dannyk13]

The time to give up is when, for what ever reason,you do not feel competent to drive.

[TWR]

If you think it's time Cup? Is your confidence going? are your reactions getting slower? are other motorist giving you the signs ( Shaking their heads at your driving standards? the time is right when you feel you are unsafe to other road users, good luck.

[redman41]

Best to give it up now cupotee2, before you end up like these ! :-))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AqmvpydWh4

[Khandro]

cupotee; //I don't enjoy it now// I agree and don't think anyone does anymore; unnecessary speed cameras, costs of parking etc. I remember when I used to "go for a drive", purely for the joy of it. However, what age to give up depends entirely how you feel in control of the car. I am just turned 75 and drive regularly from the Swiss/German border to Gloucestershire in one go, - 8 hours to Dunkirk, a couple of hours kip on the ferry, then 3 1/2 hrs in England. I'm not exactly fresh as a daisy when I arrive, but not many would be of any age.