Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Driving licence at risk..?

George ... although there does seem to be an agenda to suggest anyone driving past 70 is some sort of danger (plays well with gobby young urbanites who already brand boomers as responsible for all the world's ills) ... present govt sees Oldies as 'probably Tories' and therefore fair game, as hitting them to meet their green or fiscal targets won't lose them votes (and plays to the aforementioned gobby young urbanites who probably do vote for them) ... again, there's no current suggestion of compulsion and I'd guess the majority of 'sub 2k' drivers would be over 70.

Worth keeping an eye on for 'mission creep' but currently they're saying " if you're near the end of your driving career and do less than 2k miles a year then you may save money by ditching the cumulative expenses of a car and using other forms of transport instead " .... sort of advice you might get from some TV financial pundit.

Worth keeping an eye out though .... the govt wants people out of their cars and us over 70s are a politically easy target ... we can expect more 'facts' about how 'high-risk' we are, more newspaper coverage of 'oldies in accidents' (and less 'teenage speeder kills six!' type stories) ... and more hoops to jump through to keep our licences (to wear us down)

K

would have thought using cars less is what all the greens want and should be encouraged

I remember a couple of years ago the Morgan Three Wheeler Club giving members a warning that some had spotted licence renewals coming back with the classification to drive 3 wheelers removed

If you go looking there is a lot online about DVLA messing up licence renewals including:

LGV drivers losing their jobs when the licence came back without the appropriate class of vehicle
Motorcyclists having to re-take a bike test
Coach drivers losing jobs


Advice is - always keep the old licence when you apply to renew. Never ever send it to DVLA - they will not accept a photo of a licence as proof of entitlement to a specific class of vehicle.

I have renewed twice at 70 and 73 without problems but dropped the over 3.5T vehicle and 9 passenger van allowance. I know some of the larger Motor Homes are over 3.5T so if you want to drive one (I don't) then you need to pay for the medical to keep the allowance. And keep your old licence just in case you want to re-instate. I own three cars combined BHP is 1200 and I drive 12k miles a year.
DVLA are efficient, my next door neighbour got the renewal notice at 70 for her husband. He died in 1987 aged 32!!!!!

Stephen888 ... my Iveco camper van/tow truck is 4.2 tons so I have to get a medical to keep it current ... as of next year my motorsport medical has to be done annually ... hoping to get them to sign both the DVLA and MSUK forms so I can save paying for both (msuk medical is far more comprehensive ... and expensive!!)

K

Medicals are expensive. That's why I gave up my PPL when I reached 70. Now in my 80s I hate to think what the limitations would be.

At age 77 I still held police response and pursuit tickets so up yours young guns.

Topic creep….?
It seems like only 5 minutes ago I hit 70 but time flys……..
Hiring vehicles, motorhome etc whilst on holiday or for that matter even in the UK . Is it a problem ? Hired a motorhome in NZ at 70 and joined that band known as Grey Nomads. Renters say we cannot turn our heads far enough to see what’s coming at road junctions ! I imagine countries like America that has old old drivers and perhaps Canada don’t discriminate on age and hopefully NZ as we intend to go again soon.
Thankfully my wife is in her sixties, so she could hire & I could be the second (named driver) ?

I enjoy & feel very confident driving, had no accidents in the last 30 years but that age on the driving licence must start to worry renters or mean extra cost for special insurance.
We have been holidaying mainly in Europe over the last 15 years and tend to drive with our own cars . Perhaps it’s time to consider, cruising, group tours, all inclusives. or naturism holidays !?

Just another aspect of ageing, sadly.
Best MM
PS Guess my wife and I will not be hiring a Camaro again as web did in California in 1979 !!? Boy those 3000+ miles were great fun .

There are some car rental agencies that will not rent cars to people over 70. I found restrictions in the US and also in Europe for those over 70.