**tl;dr – It is a flaw in the UK system that people’s driving ability is not retested after a license is awarded at a young age. Elderly people should not just carry out a medical and a self-assessment, but instead they should have to retake their driving test.** The ability to drive goes much beyond mere eyesight and general health. Driving requires sharp senses to facilitate a quick reaction time. Such senses deteriorate with age meaning elderly people should have to retake their driving test. Although there may be a huge disparity between different people of the same age, there is no way of knowing if someone is a danger on the roads without retesting them. The current UK rules are based off those from the EU and so, now that Brexit is complete there is an opportunity for change and rectification. At present, ‘drivers need to reapply for their license at the age of 70 and every three years thereafter. There is no requirement to take a test, but applicants must declare that they are fit and healthy to drive and their eyesight meets the minimum requirements for driving via self-assessment.’ However, health and self-assessment is not enough. In 2017, Benjamin Brooks-Dutton launched a petition that such a compulsory retest should occur for older drivers every three years. This was provoked after the death of his wife by an 82-year-old driver in 2012. Although this petition received over 250,000 signatures, it did not become legislation. However, the debate became more prominent in 2019 when Prince Phillip was involved in a car crash. Many were shocked that he was still driving at age 97 stirring up the question again. 63% of UK MPs agree that older drivers should have to retake their test and conclude that 75 is a fair age for such a measure. This makes sense because our ageing population is growing and so the rule must keep up. The number of drivers over the age of 90 has reached 100,000 meaning there are 4.5million drivers over the age of 70 in the UK. Finally, to encourage the transition into such a rule the government could support elderly drivers through funding ‘refresher courses’ which will place over 70’s in a better position for a test retake. Ferguson, Nicole (2019). ‘Do older drivers need to retake their test?’, *Arnold Clark*. Available at: https://www.arnoldclark.com/newsroom/1774-do-older-drivers-need-to-retake-their-test Jukwey, Ella (2019). ‘Should Older Drivers Have to Retake their Test?’, *Get Licensed*. Available at: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/get-daily/should-older-drivers-have-to-retake-their-driving-test/

Older drivers usually will have many years of experience, often having driven cars much more difficult to manipulate than models of today. Whilst I accept that reaction skills may slow they may have developed a range of anticipatory skills that more than compensate. They are less likely to be distracted by other occupants in a car, bickering children for instance and are less likely to be charged for driving under the influence of drugs/ alcohol. In addition they are governed by the same highway code as any driver . To hold such a view against a section of society merely because of age seems extremely unjust. I have witnessed poor driving in all age groups, it is not the perogative of the elderly alone. I would have a guess that few drivers of any age would pass the driving test after general driving experience and the inevitable bad habits acquired .

**TL;DR- I think that if a second test had to be done, many drivers approaching older age may be put off from driving altogether. This may be a good thing, as less cars would be on the road, however this also isn't really fair.** Driving tests take a lot of investment in both time and money, and going through all the hassle of driving tests all over again at the age of say 60 may not look very appealing, hence causing older people to give it up. When I first voted for this, I clicked agree, as Prince Phillip's recent accident sprang to mind, but upon further thought, I realised that this is only one case, and most cases of road accidents involve younger, newer, and altogether less experienced drivers. Additionally, many driving instructors agree that once you've passed your test, every time you drive is like a lesson, and this experience is the only way you really become an expert at driving. So if anything, older drivers may be safer than young ones. It may also be harder for older people to spend money on a driving test due to being retired and not having a large enough pension to pay for it, for example. Especially if they were to fail, and have to re-take the test again; driving tests themselves have changed a lot through the years, and are harder now (especially with the theory test). As well as this, driving test slots are already in high demand anyway with extensive waiting lists, which would be doubled if older people who could already drive joined onto it. It makes sense to focus on getting new drivers out on the road, yet older people should be free to book tests if they feel the need to, say if they haven't driven in ages and feel as if they're getting a little rusty.

**TL;DR Making all elderly people retake their driving test would not be worth it due to the financial aspects**. I think that if elderly people are deemed medically fit, there should be no reason why they must retake their driving test. Also if this policy was implemented, who would pay for the driving test? A theory test costs £23, the actual driving test costs £62. It seems unfair to make the elderly people pay for the test, especially if they are already living on a pension. Also, if the government were paying for the tests, this would be really expensive. I think the money would be better spent elsewhere. It would also mean that there would be less driving test slots available for young people who need to take their test. Making all elderly people retake their driving test seems really unnecessary. This should only happy if they have been medically instructed to do so. 'Driving test costs', https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-cost#:~:text=A%20theory%20test%20costs%20%C2%A3,driving%20test%20through%20GOV.UK.

After having been in a car with a few elderly drivers (namely my Nanna and Grandma) I completely agree with this point. I love my Grandma and Nanna with all my heart but I have been terrified when in a car with them. My Grandma's eyesight is not great yet she only gave up driving last year at the age of 90. Whilst I am glad that she felt confident in herself to drive, this didn't translate to safety. If my Gran had to take a test she would not have passed. There have been a few close shaves both for myself and my Gran and other people in other cars. When older your reaction times are significantly impacted as well as the physical effects of being older. Whilst this will result in more pressure on driving test centres and more financial burden, I believe that safety for all road users and pedestrians/animals is more important. I do not however think the test should be as it is for new drivers, there should be a refresher version in order to test capabilities.