Labour’s new plot to make it harder for pensioners | Tech News

Labour seems to be set to make it harder for over-70s to keep on the roads with new driving licence guidelines possible to be launched later this 12 months. The Government is pushing for the introduction of eyesight testing for older drivers, with checks set to turn out to be obligatory for retaining a licence over the age of 70. 

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a session inspecting the problem forward of any updates being confirmed. The Government session goes into further particulars about Labour’s precise plans, with officers making a main admission. 

Instead of utilizing a central database of eyesight take a look at info to test in opposition to candidates, the DfT has prompt that the onus could also be on motorists to show they’ve undergone checks each three years. 

According to the DfT session: “Consideration is being given to a licence holder providing proof that they have attended an eye test, which would include confirming the outcome from whoever conducted the test.”

Failure to present these particulars to the DVLA at renewal is probably going to risk motorists not being handed a new photocard and successfully being banned from the roads. The session report added: “Considerations include having tests administered by opticians, the NHS or through bespoke test centres for driving eyesight tests. 

“We would require evidence of the outcome of the test within a set timeframe at each licence renewal. This could be provided by the licence holder, the person who conducts the test or both.”

However, at this early stage, the DfT careworn they haven’t ruled out pushing testers to report info to the DVLA as a substitute. This would possible guarantee motorists don’t unintentionally neglect to submit their outcomes, main to dozens of pensioners off the roads.

The report defined: “Alongside this, we could look to introduce a legal obligation on the person conducting the test to report test results directly to the DVLA. 

“Introducing a mandatory reporting requirement would give assurance that a licence holder meets the required vision standards and supports proactive intervention where vision may pose a road safety risk.”

The session is a likelihood for industry specialists to have their say over the plans, with last particulars to be introduced quickly after. 

Later within the session, the DfT asks session respondents “who should be responsible for notifying the DVLA of the outcome of the mandatory eyesight test”, suggesting that that is nonetheless up for debate at this stage.