Motorists will lose these key motoring freedoms once they hit their 70th birthday in a serious blow.
Older drivers will lose certain freedoms once they reach 70 (Image: Getty)
Older drivers will “automatically lose” certain freedoms once they hit the age of 70, according to motoring experts. Motorists hitting their seventh decade must renew their driving licence more often with checks undertaken every three years.
However, this isn’t the only important change with elderly individuals also losing the right to drive certain vehicles. It means road users cannot simply get behind the wheel of many larger vehicles such as lorries, minibuses and even motorhomes in later life.
Elderly road users may be unable to drive certain larger vehicles (Image: Getty)
The Older Drivers Forum 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.
“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.”
To renew the freedoms, motorists must notify the DVLA of any health issues including any pre-existing concerns that may have worsened. Individuals must also meet the fitness standards for driving larger vehicles and could be forced to undergo tests such as an eyesight check.
However, under the current rules, only certain road users can get behind the wheel of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes unchecked.
The freedom has only been handed to motorists who passed their driving test before 1997, with those securing a licence afterwards not possessing the extra benefit.
Those passing before 1997 held grandfather rights which allowed C1 and C1E entitlements for individuals to drive larger motorhomes or campervans.
The rule means that many younger drivers who passed their assessment after this date will not have unlimited access to larger vehicles.
In a statement to Express.co.uk, the DVLA previously explained: “Drivers with C1 and D1 entitlements are required to renew these categories when they reach the age of 70, ensuring they meet the higher medical standards required to operate larger vehicles.”
