In the driving seat What you need to know to stay driving for longer AgeUKIG44 Information and advice you need to help you love later life. We’re Age UK and our goal is to enable older people to love later life. We are passionate about affirming that your later years can be fulfilling years. Whether you’re enjoying your later life or going through tough times, we’re here to help you make the best of your life. Our network includes Age Cymru, Age NI, Age Scotland, Age International and more than 160 local partners. This information guide has been prepared by Age UK and contains general advice only, it should not be relied on as a basis for any decision or action and cannot be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither Age UK nor any of its subsidiary companies or charities accepts any liability arising from its use and it is the reader’s sole responsibility to ensure any information is up to date and accurate. Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, websites, companies, products, services or publications in this information guide does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age UK or any of its subsidiary companies or charities. Date of publication: July 2016. © Age UK 2016 Next review date: July 2018 Contents What this guide is about 2 Renewing your licence from 70 3 Declaring health conditions 5 Reassessing your driving ability 7 Driving safely 10 Adapting your car 12 The Blue Badge scheme 16 Making the decision to stop driving 17 Alternatives to driving 18 Getting around your local area 20 Travelling by train and coach 22 Using the internet to stay connected 24 Useful organisations 25 1 In the driving seat What this guide is about Many of us enjoy the freedom and independence that driving gives us, and we don’t want to give it up. There are negative stories in the media about older drivers that can lead to some people losing their confidence on the road and giving up driving before they need to. But, in fact, statistics show that older drivers are relatively safe. Although your licence entitlement will expire when you turn 70, this doesn’t automatically mean you have to stop driving – you’ll just need to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to renew it every three years. The DVLA should send you a renewal form automatically and renewal is free of charge. However, some medical conditions that older people may develop can affect driving ability, and you must report relevant conditions to the DVLA, whatever your age. Often there will be a way to help you to carry on driving, although in some cases you may have to stop. This guide covers your legal obligations, as well as information about declaring medical conditions, tips on ensuring you drive safely, and adaptations that can help you to do so. It also gives advice about how to decide when it’s time to stop and find alternative ways to get out and about. As far as possible, the information given in this guide is applicable across the UK. Key This symbol indicates where information differs for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. what This symbol indicates who to contact next? for the next steps you need to take. 2 In the driving seat Renewing your licence from 70 If you have a photocard licence, you’ll be used to renewing your licence every ten years. However, once you reach 70, everyone needs to renew their licence and then do it again every three years. The DVLA will send you a D46P application form 90 days before your 70th birthday. There’s no charge to renew. If you already have a photocard licence, the form will tell you if you need to send a new passport-type photo with your application. If you have a paper licence, you will need to send an up-to-date passport-type photo with your application. If you don’t receive a D46P form, you can use the D1 Application for a driving licence form. Order it online from the Gov.uk website or ask for one at your local post office. Alternatively, you can renew your licence online at www.gov. uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70. When you register, you’ll be given a user ID code and step-by-step instructions on how to renew your licence. In Northern Ireland, once you’re aged 60 or over and you apply to renew your licence, it will be issued for a period ending on your 70th birthday, or for no less than three years. You’ll then need to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) to renew it. The DVA will send you a DL1R application around two months before your licence expires. If you don’t receive the DL1R form call the DVA form ordering service (see page 27). Remember that if your licence expires and you don’t apply for a new one, you won’t legally be allowed to drive. 3 In the driving seat When filling in the form to renew your licence, you’ll be asked to mention any medical conditions you have. It’s important to remember that you have a legal duty to declare any relevant medical conditions. You’ll also be asked to confirm whether you can meet the eyesight standards for driving. See ‘Declaring health conditions’ on pages 5–6 for more information. If you need prescription glasses or contact lenses to drive, the code 01 will be added to the back of your photocard licence. Make sure you read any correspondence from the DVLA carefully. For example, the DVLA might send you a letter which states that you can continue to drive as before, or they may send you a temporary driving licence only for use during a mobility centre driving assessment (see pages 7–9). Remember to dispose of your expired licence and make sure you keep your new one safe. The rules about licences for driving anything other than a car, for example, a campervan or a minibus, changed in 1997. If this affects you, contact the DVLA to find out if your licence is still valid. For more information about renewing your driving licence, what next? visit ‘Renew your driving licence if you’re 70 or over’ on the Gov.uk website or visit www.olderdrivers.org.uk. In Northern Ireland, see the NI Direct website (see page 29). 4 In the driving seat Declaring health conditions If you have developed a medical condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely, you must tell the DVLA (or the DVA in Northern Ireland), even if you are not yet due to renew your licence. This also applies if your condition has worsened since your licence was issued. It’s a legal obligation for you to declare any relevant conditions. If you have an accident where your health condition may have been a factor and you haven’t declared it, you could be fined or prosecuted and your insurance might not cover you. Some of the medical conditions that you must declare are: • dementia • diabetes – if it is insulin-treated • Parkinson’s • epilepsy • any chronic neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis • any condition that affects both eyes, or total loss of sight in one eye. You may need to declare other health conditions, depending on what kind of licence you have and how the condition affects you. If you are unsure whether you need to declare any health conditions to the DVLA, you can seek advice from your doctor or other health professionals. For a full list of medical conditions and disabilities you must declare, visit the Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and- driving. For example, you may need to declare if you’ve had a stroke or have cancer, depending on how it affects you. For information on driving and dementia see our free guide Living with early-stage dementia. 5 In the driving seat In Northern Ireland, find out which medical conditions you must declare by contacting the DVA (see page 27). After you have told the DVLA or DVA about a medical condition, it may: • make a decision based on the information you provide • contact your GP or consultant (with your permission) or arrange for a locally appointed doctor or specialist to examine you • ask you to take a driving assessment, eyesight check or driving appraisal. Many people worry that if they tell the DVLA or DVA about their medical conditions or disability they’ll be forced to stop driving, but this is not necessarily the case. Having a relevant medical condition doesn’t always mean that your licence will be taken away from you. You may be able to keep your licence or get a new one, or you may be issued with a driving licence for one, two or three years and then reviewed after this period. The DVLA or DVA can also issue you with a licence that indicates that special controls need to be fitted to your vehicle to enable you to drive with your disability (see ‘Adapting your car’ on pages 12–13). If its medical enquiries confirm you are not fit to drive it can tell you to stop driving. Remember to inform your insurance provider about any changes to your driving licence or adaptations to your car. Failure to do so could result in a fine and your policy being void. To find out more call the DVLA (see page 27) or visit what next? www.olderdrivers.org.uk.