Elderly drivers are set to lose some of their driving licence freedoms once they reach age 70.
Older drivers could lose some motoring freedoms at 70 (Image: Getty)
Older drivers could lose crucial freedoms once they reach 70 years old due to a simple, little-known DVLA rule. Officials place certain restrictions on elderly motorists, with individuals losing certain driving licence entitlements later in life.
The C1 and D1 driving licence categories will no longer be available, meaning road users will no longer be able to get behind the wheel of larger vehicles such as minibuses. These additional entitlements require higher health and eyesight standards, meaning road users will need to undergo tests to retain their entitlements.
Motorists will lose some driving licence entitlements at 70 (Image: Getty)
Experts at the Older Drivers Forum said: “Once you renew your licence at 70 years of age, you will automatically lose the C1 (Medium-sized vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg) and D1 (Minibuses) categories on your licence. If you wish to still hold these, you will need to complete a D2 (Application Form) and a D4 (Medical Examination Report). See below for more information.
“Once you renew your licence at 70 years of age, you will automatically lose the C category on your licence. If you wish to continue having this category on your licence, you will need to do another test again.”
C1 entitlement allows road users to control medium-sized lorries between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. The D1 entitlement allows road users to get behind the wheel of minibuses holding between nine and 16 passenger seats.
GOV.UK has explained that drivers who wish to retain their C1 and D1 entitlements cannot do this online, with only postal applications accepted.
A DVLA spokesperson previously said: “Drivers with C1 and D1 entitlements are required to renew these categories when they reach the age of 70, ensuring they meet the higher medical standards required to operate larger vehicles.”
Motorists who passed their driving test before January 1997 automatically received C1 and D1 entitlements. However, drivers who passed their test after this date are no longer automatically granted the extra freedoms.
The Older Drivers Forum added: “Drivers holding a category B+E licence before their licence expired at age 70 can continue to drive a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes with a trailer up to a maximum combination weight limit of 8.25 tonnes, once renewed.”