DVLA accused of ‘targeting’ elderly as older | Tech News

Shocked motorists have claimed the DVLA is “targeting” older drivers after many discovered that highway customers lose freedoms as soon as they hit 70. Once motorists hit the milestone, highway customers no longer get pleasure from entry to the C1 and D1 entitlements on their driving licence. 

It means highway customers will robotically lose the appropriate to drive heavier autos above 3,500kg, such as minibuses and motorhomes. Motorists who want to retain these allowances have to finish software varieties and should need to bear a medical examination to show their security behind the wheel. Express readers vented their frustration on the rule with many suggesting DVLA chiefs have been introducing more durable guidelines aimed on the improper demographic. 

One reader posted: “OK, will go along with this, however, instead of ALWAYS targeting our senior drivers, the DVLA should target drivers under the influence of drugs. Ban them for life holding a licence, the same for drink drivers. AS for untaxed, no insurance or MOT minimum ban 10 years. It’s time to get tough on the above irresponsible drivers.”

Express reader @Upnorth added: “A lot of these restrictions could be, should be, applied to ALL drivers. There are a lot shouting for older drivers to be retested. God help them if ten-year re-tests were adopted for all drivers. Many seem unable to grasp the significance of the old speed limits – and stick to them, never mind the new ones.”

Meanwhile, Express reader @europe posted: “So HGV drivers and bus drivers won’t be able to work. Which means that you can’t put retirement past 70!”

One particular person claimed heading away for the weekend of their motorhome had turn into more tough later in life due to the guidelines.

@kgtrucker mentioned: “Now I am being made to carry on having these medicals just so I can carry on driving my motorhome whenever I want to go away it just seems like the government has just got to put the boot into the elderly at every turn.”

However, some appeared to help the DVLA’s stance round bigger autos with one highway consumer confused on the response over what they described as a easy renewal.

Express reader @Adenough mentioned: “You just need to fill a form in and take a medical to keep or renew a C1 or C licence. No retest. I’ve retained my other licenses by filling in the appropriate paper form. You just don’t keep them by default if you apply online. Most over 70s HGV drivers have had enough anyway.”

According to the DVLA, drivers who handed their car driving take a look at earlier than 1 January 1997 have been robotically granted entitlement to drive class C1 and restricted D1 autos. From 1997 the law modified, with C1 and D1 categorised as group 2 entitlements which means highway customers must cross additional medical requirements.

In a assertion to Express.co.uk, the DVLA mentioned: “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.”