Andy Burnham has been told that “almost everyone” supports the introduction of a new test that would impact every older driver above the age of 70. Morgan Sayes, optometrist at vision and contact lens experts Lenstore, has stressed there was plenty of support for mandatory eyesight checks for pensioners. A new survey of 1,030 UK adults conducted by Lenstore found 68.6% believe that eye tests for older drivers should definitely be mandatory.

A further 29% said that eye assessments probably should be introduced for road users once they reach 70. Put together, it means that 97% of road users fundamentally agree with the idea that checks needed to be introduced.

Speaking exclusively to the Express, Morgan said: “Our UK Vision Report shows almost everyone backs mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70, with the people closest to that age being the most in favour. Vision tends to change gradually as we age, so many drivers don’t always notice when their eyesight has slipped.

“Nearly a quarter of people surveyed told us they’ve delayed or avoided an eye test because they were worried about what it might mean for their driving and in turn their independence. A full eye test at each licence renewal could help pick up those changes earlier, with anyone over 60 already being entitled to a free NHS eye test.”

Labour pledged to consult on mandatory eyesight checks for older drivers in their Road Safety Strategy launched earlier this year. The Department for Transport (DfT) held a formal consultation into the issue this spring, but formal conclusions have yet to be released.

Any new rules would likely make it compulsory for drivers above the age of 70 to get an eyesight check to stay on the road, Further assessments will also be needed at licence renewal after three years.

The DfT previously said: “As people age, eyesight often deteriorates in visual acuity or sharpness, medical conditions that affect the field of vision are more likely to develop and the ability to recover from glare also reduces.

“This deterioration can occur gradually, sometimes without a person noticing. Without eyesight correction or treatment, it can increase the risk of collisions for older drivers and other road users.”

Andy Burnham Told ‘Almost Everyone’ Wants New Test for Older Drivers Above 70

A fresh debate over road safety in Britain has put older drivers firmly in the spotlight, after new survey findings suggested overwhelming public support for compulsory eyesight checks for motorists aged 70 and above.

The issue presents a difficult challenge for Andy Burnham’s government. On one side are calls for stronger measures to protect pedestrians, passengers and other road users. On the other are millions of older people who depend on their cars to remain independent, attend medical appointments, visit family and continue participating in everyday life.

According to a survey of 1,030 UK adults conducted for Lenstore, 68.6 per cent of respondents said eyesight tests for older drivers should definitely be compulsory. Another 29 per cent said they probably should be introduced.

Combined, those figures suggest that approximately 97 per cent of those questioned supported the idea to some degree.

The results have strengthened arguments from road-safety campaigners and eye-care professionals who believe the existing arrangements do not do enough to identify eyesight problems before they become dangerous.

However, there is an important distinction between introducing compulsory eyesight checks and forcing every motorist over 70 to take a completely new driving test.

The proposal currently under consideration concerns eyesight assessments, not automatic practical driving examinations.

For older motorists, that difference could be extremely important.

Under the existing rules in Great Britain, drivers must renew their licences when they reach 70 and then renew them every three years. During the renewal process, they are required to declare that they meet the legal eyesight standards for driving and provide information about relevant medical conditions.

The proposed reform would replace the current reliance on self-declaration with an independently verified eyesight assessment.

Supporters argue that this would provide a more reliable way of identifying people whose vision has deteriorated without them necessarily recognising the problem themselves.

Morgan Sayes, an optometrist associated with Lenstore, has argued that eyesight can change gradually as people grow older. Drivers may continue believing that their vision is perfectly adequate even when their ability to recognise hazards, read road signs or respond to changing traffic conditions has declined.

That gradual deterioration is one of the central concerns behind the proposed changes.

A person who has driven safely for decades may find it difficult to accept that their eyesight is no longer suitable for driving. In some cases, they may not notice the difference until a routine examination identifies a problem.

The survey also suggested that concerns about losing driving independence can discourage people from seeking eye examinations. Nearly a quarter of respondents reportedly said they had delayed or avoided an eye test because they were worried about the consequences for their ability to drive.

That finding highlights a complicated problem.

If people believe that visiting an optician could automatically lead to losing their licence, they may become reluctant to seek professional advice. A properly designed system would therefore need to encourage early detection rather than create unnecessary fear.

For many pensioners, driving is much more than a convenient way of travelling.

In rural communities, public transport may be limited, with some villages having only a small number of buses each day. Older residents may have to travel considerable distances to reach supermarkets, hospitals, pharmacies and family members.

For someone who no longer works and has limited mobility, losing access to a car can dramatically change everyday life.

This is why any new requirements must strike a careful balance between safety and independence.

The Department for Transport previously launched a formal consultation on mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and above. The consultation opened on 7 January 2026 and closed on 11 May.

It examined several possible approaches, including the age at which testing should begin, how frequently examinations should take place and who should be responsible for carrying them out.

One possibility is to require an eyesight examination every three years, matching the existing licence renewal schedule.

Another option is to introduce more frequent checks as drivers become older, potentially increasing the frequency at ages such as 75, 80 or 85.

The consultation also considered what the examination should involve.

A simple eyesight chart may measure how clearly someone can see letters at a particular distance. However, driving requires more than the ability to read a sign directly in front of the vehicle.

Drivers also need adequate peripheral vision, allowing them to notice pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles approaching from the side.

Their ability to respond to glare and changing light conditions can also be important, particularly when driving at night or in difficult weather.

For that reason, some specialists believe that any compulsory examination should assess several aspects of vision rather than relying on a basic sight test alone.

There are also questions about who should administer the checks.

Opticians could potentially carry out the examinations, while other proposals include using specially trained personnel or developing a dedicated assessment system.

The government would also need to decide whether the cost should be covered by the taxpayer, paid by drivers or shared between the two.

These details matter because a new system could create additional financial pressure for pensioners already dealing with rising household expenses.

An older person living on a limited income may be concerned about paying for repeated examinations, particularly if they also need new glasses or treatment for an eye condition.

Supporters of mandatory checks argue that the potential benefits could outweigh the administrative costs.

The government has previously highlighted the importance of eyesight in preventing road collisions. In its consultation documents, the Department for Transport noted that age-related conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration can become more common later in life.

Vision can deteriorate slowly, meaning that drivers may not immediately recognise that they no longer meet the required standards.

Official figures cited in the government’s consultation showed that Great Britain had more than 6.3 million full driving licence holders aged 70 and above in 2025.

That represented a substantial increase compared with 2012, when the figure was approximately 3.9 million.

The growing number of older motorists means that the question of fitness to drive is likely to become increasingly important over the coming years.

The government has also pointed to casualty figures. In 2024, there were 1,224 older car-driver casualties who were killed or seriously injured.

These statistics do not mean that older people are automatically dangerous drivers. Age alone cannot establish whether an individual is capable of driving safely.

Many motorists in their seventies, eighties and even nineties remain careful, experienced and perfectly capable of meeting the required standards.

Indeed, experience can be a considerable advantage. Older drivers may be less likely to take unnecessary risks, drive aggressively or engage in dangerous behaviour.

The challenge is identifying individuals whose physical or medical condition has changed sufficiently to affect their driving ability.

This is why a universal eyesight assessment may be considered fairer than simply assuming that every person becomes unsafe once they reach a particular birthday.

Nevertheless, the debate could become more complicated if ministers eventually consider wider medical assessments.

The Department for Transport has acknowledged that other conditions associated with ageing may also affect driving ability. Cognitive assessments, for example, could be considered in the future.

Such examinations would raise sensitive questions about how to assess memory, concentration and decision-making without unfairly penalising people who remain capable.

There is a significant difference between having a medical diagnosis and being unable to drive safely.

Any system would need clear evidence, consistent standards and an appropriate opportunity for people to challenge decisions they believe are incorrect.

For Andy Burnham, the political implications are also important.

Older motorists represent a substantial group of voters, and many pensioners are already concerned about the cost of living, transport access and changes to public services.

A policy that is presented as a safety measure could quickly become controversial if people believe it is another restriction imposed on older generations.

Ministers will therefore need to explain exactly what is being proposed and why.

The survey showing 97 per cent support may provide political encouragement for compulsory eyesight checks. However, it should not be interpreted as proof that almost everyone wants older motorists to retake their full driving tests.

The question asked in the survey concerned eyesight checks, and public support for that measure is not necessarily the same as support for practical driving examinations.

That distinction is essential to understanding the debate.

There is also the question of whether people who fail an eyesight examination would automatically lose their licences.

In some circumstances, eyesight problems can be corrected through glasses, contact lenses or medical treatment. A driver who does not initially meet the required standard may be able to satisfy it after receiving appropriate care.

A sensible system should allow people to address treatable problems wherever possible.

It should also provide clear information about the standards, the assessment process and the steps available to someone who disagrees with the result.

Ultimately, the debate is not simply about older people and their driving licences. It is about how Britain responds to an ageing population while protecting everyone who uses its roads.

The public clearly has strong concerns about road safety, and the Lenstore survey suggests considerable support for more reliable eyesight checks.

But the interests of older drivers must also be taken seriously.

A licence can represent freedom, independence and a connection to the wider community. Removing that freedom unnecessarily could have serious consequences, particularly for people living in areas with limited transport alternatives.

The government must therefore avoid treating age as a substitute for individual assessment.

For now, the central proposal is compulsory eyesight testing rather than a blanket requirement for everyone over 70 to retake their driving test. The Department for Transport has completed its consultation and must consider the responses before deciding whether and how to introduce changes.

The next stage will be watched closely by pensioners, motoring organisations, road-safety campaigners and families concerned about the wellbeing of older relatives.

The challenge for Andy Burnham is clear: improve road safety without making millions of responsible older motorists feel that their independence is being taken away simply because they have grown older.