Elderly drivers could be caught out with certain driving licence restrictions revoked at the age of 70.
Older drivers could lose road freedoms due to DVLA rule (Image: Getty)
Older drivers will lose certain motoring freedoms at 70 due to a little-known DVLA rule, according to experts.
Specialists at the Older Drivers Forum have explained motorists will “automatically lose” their C1 and D1 driving licence entitlements when they hit their seventh decade.
This means elderly road users would be unable to get behind the wheel of larger vehicles or minibusses without further checks.
It could be a major blow to certain older drivers who may need the categories for work or family commitments.
The Older Drivers Forum made the admission online where they hand out a series of crucial tips to motorists later in life.
Elderly drivers can reapply but may need to be retested (Image: Getty)
They explained: “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.”
Elderly road users will not be permanently banned from getting behind the wheel of these vehicles if they wish.
However, they will have to reapply to the DVLA and get retested to ensure they are still competent behind the wheel.
The Older Drivers Forum added: “If you wish to still hold these, you will need to complete a D2 (Application Form) and a D4 (Medical Examination Report).
“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.”
Older drivers are not the only ones set to be assessed with certain middle-aged road users requiring checks every 12 months.
AutoTrader, the leading marketplace for new and used car sales, stressed that a simple change means anyone passing 45 over the past decade is likely affected.
They said: “If you got your driving licence before 1 January 1997, you get a C1 licence automatically.
“After you reach the age of 70, you need to provide the DVLA with a D4 medical form to renew your C1 licence for another three years.
“If you received or renewed your bus or lorry (C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E or DE) licence on or after 19 January 2013, you’ll need to get it renewed after every five years if you’re 44 years old or less and after every one year if you’re 45 or older, by filling the D2 form – application for a lorry, bus or minibus driving licence.”
