Contrary to viral social media claims, the UK government is not proposing that drivers aged 70 and over retake a full driving test.
Instead, the plan under consultation is to replace the current eyesight self-declaration with mandatory eyesight tests every three years when older drivers renew their licences.
The Department for Transport has described claims that over-70s must sit a new driving test as “categorically false.”
The key proposed changes for drivers aged 70 and over
- Mandatory eyesight testing: Drivers would need to provide proof of a recent eye test at each three-year licence renewal, rather than simply declaring their vision meets the standard.
- Who could carry out tests: Options being considered include using existing NHS sight tests, private optometrists, or potentially trained personnel in non-clinical settings to improve scalability.
- Possible earlier start age: While the main focus is 70+, the consultation notes the government could consider starting mandatory testing at a younger age in future.
- Funding: For most people, tests could be free via the NHS, which already funds eye examinations for those aged 60 and over.
For younger drivers (born after 2002)
Alongside the older-driver measures, the wider Road Safety Strategy includes proposals that would affect many new and young drivers:
- Minimum learning period: Learner drivers could be required to wait at least six months between passing their theory test and taking the practical driving test.
- Rationale: Drivers under 25 make up around 6% of licence holders but were involved in 24% of fatal and serious crashes in 2024; ministers argue a longer learning period could cut such collisions by up to 32%, based on evidence from other countries.
When could these changes happen?
As of August 2026, these measures are still proposals under consultation, not yet law.
The mandatory eyesight testing consultation for over-70s ran from 7 January 2026 to 11 May 2026
The government is now reviewing responses before deciding whether to proceed and, if so, how to implement the scheme (including test type, providers, and funding)
No firm start date has been announced. If the policy is adopted, it would likely be introduced via secondary legislation with a lead-in period, meaning any change would probably be months away at the earliest, not immediate.
In short: over-70s are not being asked to retake a full driving test. The live proposal is for compulsory eyesight checks at each three-year renewal, with timing and final details still to be confirmed after the consultation response review.
