Elderly motorists could face eye and cognitive tests as Labour plots major driving law overhaul

This could include regular eye tests and even "cognitive tests" for older motorists, who are more at risk of being impacted by poor vision or neurological issues as they grow older.

These changes would mark a significant overhaul of current rules, with motorists expected to self-certify if they are safe to be behind the wheel, rather than relying on a medical professional.

Labour is set to launch a consultation on a range of new road safety proposals in the first update to policies in more than a decade.

It has consistently called for new measures to reduce deaths and injuries involving older drivers without restricting personal freedoms.

Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood acknowledged the importance of driving for elderly people to help them live independently.

However, the Government wants to ensure all road users are safe when they travel, regardless of how old they are.

The Labour MP for Nottingham South said: "As the country's older population grows, our plans in the first road safety strategy in more than a decade will preserve personal freedoms where possible with action to save lives."

At present, elderly motorists over 70 need to renew their driving licence every three years, rather than every decade for people in younger age groups.

The new Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by a staggering 65 per cent by 2035.

A further goal is to reduce injuries and deaths involving children under the age of 16 by 70 per cent in the same timeframe.

Data from the Department for Transport states that around 24 per cent of all car drivers killed in 2024 were older than 70.

A further 12 per cent of all casualties in car collisions involved older drivers, which has been a concern for the Government over recent years.

In response to four significant incidents caused by elderly drivers with poor eyesight, the senior coroner for Lancashire described the UK's system of self-certification as the "laxest in Europe".

He noted that the UK was just one of three countries that rely on self-reporting of visual conditions impacting driving ability.

A DfT spokesperson previously told GB News that every death on the roads is a tragedy, pointing to the NHS, which recommends that adults should have their eyes checked every two years.

In the event that a driver has a medical condition that affects their ability to drive, they must inform the DVLA; otherwise, they could face a £1,000 fine, especially if it leads to an accident.

Other proposals included in the upcoming road safety strategy consultation could see uninsured drivers face higher fines and tougher penalties.

The upfront fine could double to £600 under the proposed changes in a bid to deter motorists from breaking rules, as the penalties can often be cheaper than the cost of insurance.