ChatterBank1 min ago
driving after illness
I know a lady of 81 who has not driven for 2 years due to a hip opperation and double vision. Her walking and balance is not perfect although she "says" the bouble vision has improved. Can she legally get behind the wheel again or does she need refresher lessons or another test?
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Age is no bar to the holding of a licence. DVLA requires confirmation at age of 70 that no medical disability is present, thereafter a 3-year licence is issued subject to satisfactory completion of medical questions on the application form. However, as ageing progresses, a driver or his/her relative(s) may be aware that the combination of progressive loss of memory, impairment in concentration and reaction time with possible loss of confidence, suggest consideration be given to cease driving. Physical frailty is not per se a bar to the holding of a licence."
So far as I am aware the only people who the DVLA will listen to are the person her or himself and their GP. Poor mobility or balance are not reasons to stop driving unless the balance affects sitting. Double vision may be but as i have said, its between the DVLA, the person and the GP.
Age is no bar to the holding of a licence. DVLA requires confirmation at age of 70 that no medical disability is present, thereafter a 3-year licence is issued subject to satisfactory completion of medical questions on the application form. However, as ageing progresses, a driver or his/her relative(s) may be aware that the combination of progressive loss of memory, impairment in concentration and reaction time with possible loss of confidence, suggest consideration be given to cease driving. Physical frailty is not per se a bar to the holding of a licence."
So far as I am aware the only people who the DVLA will listen to are the person her or himself and their GP. Poor mobility or balance are not reasons to stop driving unless the balance affects sitting. Double vision may be but as i have said, its between the DVLA, the person and the GP.
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If someone has a cognitive problem then there can be justification for interfering (meant in the polite, not accusatory sense). Take the car keys off someone with no cognitive impairment and you could be accused of theft or abuse so be very careful, especially if you are not related. Has he vision been medically reassessed?
I have heard of an elderly man who believed he COULD drive and was safe to... the family told him to take a driving test.. again.. and he failed... at this point they then took the keys off him and had his car sold.. to prevent him trying to drive it.
Its the safest thing really in the ling run.. for her and for others!
Its the safest thing really in the ling run.. for her and for others!
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bednobs - when she drove it was only for 5 mins down the road when we insisted that she hands over controls. This was within the 2 years.
EDDIE51 - she has not driven since the 5 mins mentioned above, we just want to make sure she is legal when she does start driving again.
And to those who have said about renewing licences after 70 - over here in jersey channel islands our licences last for 10 years at a time. As far as i know over 70's don't need to renew earlier here.
EDDIE51 - she has not driven since the 5 mins mentioned above, we just want to make sure she is legal when she does start driving again.
And to those who have said about renewing licences after 70 - over here in jersey channel islands our licences last for 10 years at a time. As far as i know over 70's don't need to renew earlier here.
Just to clear things up a bit -
This lady hasn't driven for 2 years other than 5 minutes last year (as in a number of months ago over lapping into last year).This was a trial with a member of her family to see how she did.
The double vision only started mid 2010 - She stopped driving in April 2009.
She has had 2 cataracts done but double vision didn't improve. But has since then been given glasses to reduce double vision.
This lady hasn't driven for 2 years other than 5 minutes last year (as in a number of months ago over lapping into last year).This was a trial with a member of her family to see how she did.
The double vision only started mid 2010 - She stopped driving in April 2009.
She has had 2 cataracts done but double vision didn't improve. But has since then been given glasses to reduce double vision.