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:-)

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Why wait till a person is 70? I personally believe that people should take them more regularly- perhaps every 20 years, ie at 17, 37, 57, 77 etc up to a max age of 117 :)

[woofgang]

I do agree about the eyesight thing but again that should be periodic and not wait until you get to 70.
I was aged about 40 when my DH decided he needed reading glasses and he said as he was going to the optician, maybe I should get a sight test too and eye health check. Nice optician took me through the basics then with lenses still in place, said “ok lets see your current glasses” Told him I didn’t wear glasses. “What” he said “not even for driving?” and then he showed me my uncorrected vision! I had passed the “read the licence plate" test some 10 years earlier when I took my driving test and hadn’t given it a thought since. It was - ha - a real eye opener.

[sapelesam]

In a previous job where we provided company cars, all new employees had to pass a simulated driving test. The test was carried out by a retired police driving instructor who had also been a driving test examiner. One in three failed and all were under 40. These would probably be people who thought it would be a piece of cake.

[derekpara]

I would not ' quake' at the thought of taking the test again and would have no hesitation doing so. I am 84 and took my driving test in 1955. Ever since then I have consciously tried to improve my driving by applying techniques recommended in the police driving manual Road Craft and other highly regarded driving publications and TV programmes ( I remember Jackie Stewart produced a fantastic series on safe driving many years ago).

I passed the IAM Advanced Driving Test at 75 and am still a member, always using the System of Car Control. My eyesight is tested every year and is to the standard required for driving. However, I intend to either re-take the IAM test this year or book an assessment by the BSM to see if I've picked up any bad habits. I would have no worries about the theory test or answering questions on the Highway Code. Does all this make me a ' good driver' ? Well, that is for others to asses, but I constantly strive to be ' an improving driver'. Age is not the be and end all; apart from physical considerations, driving attitude, learning from experience, observation and anticipation and concentration are the keys, no matter what one's age.

And as for driving without shoes, I see nothing wrong with it. Light footwear or stockinged ( socks) feet enable much more sensitivity of the controls. Ever tried driving a car in wellingtons or army boots ?

Cheers.

D

[ladybirder]

Interesting post Derek, thank you. I took my driving lessons with bare feet which drove my instructor mad. He told me I would fail if I didn't put some shoes on for my test. I did.
I think I might book an assessment with BSM as I would like to know if I have developed any bad habits. I don't think I have but ...

[Ryzen]

Just take the test. If you need an assessment then contact your local IAM group and ask for one ..its free. If you need any upgrading regarding roadcraft then they will offer to assist...thats also free.