26th September 2026
For many people, reaching 70 used to be seen as the age when you might start thinking about giving up driving.
That is no longer the case.
In fact, for most drivers in Britain, reaching 70 simply means renewing your driving licence. But there is a possible change coming which could mean older drivers have to do more than simply declare that they can still see well enough to drive.
And in rural areas such as Caithness, the issue is particularly important.
What happens when you reach 70?]/b]
At present, your ordinary car driving entitlement expires when you reach 70.
You can renew your licence during the 90 days before your 70th birthday. The renewal is free and, once you have reached 70, you normally have to renew every three years.
There is no requirement simply because you have reached 70 to take another driving test.
When renewing, drivers currently have to declare that they meet the eyesight standards for driving and disclose relevant medical conditions.
The current rules are set out by the DVLA.
So the important point is that turning 70 does not automatically mean that somebody has to stop driving.
[b]But eyesight testing could change
The Department for Transport has been looking at changing the system.
In January 2026 it launched a consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers as part of the licence renewal process.
The consultation specifically considered moving away from the current system, in which drivers aged 70 and over largely self-declare that they meet the required eyesight standards.
The consultation closed in May 2026.
That does not mean that every 70-year-old driver currently has to take a new eyesight test.
It means the Government has been considering whether this should become a requirement.
What are the eyesight rules now?
The existing driving standard is more than simply being able to see reasonably well.
Drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary.
There are also requirements relating to visual acuity and the field of vision.
If someone has an eyesight condition which affects their ability to drive, they may have to notify DVLA.
For many older drivers, therefore, regular eye examinations are sensible regardless of whether the Government introduces compulsory testing.
Scotland has one advantage
There is an important difference for drivers living in Scotland.
NHS eye examinations are free in Scotland, and NHS Inform recommends that people normally have their eyes examined every two years, although older people or those with particular medical conditions may need more frequent examinations.
An eye examination is also about more than checking whether you need stronger glasses. It can identify signs of eye disease and sometimes other health problems.
For an older driver, that makes regular eye checks worthwhile whether or not the driving regulations change.
Why does this matter more in Caithness?
The practical consequences of losing a driving licence can be very different in rural Scotland from those in a large city.
Someone living in central Glasgow or Edinburgh may have buses, trains, taxis and shops within relatively easy reach.
Someone living in a Caithness village may have none of those options readily available.
A car can be the means of getting to the GP, hospital, supermarket, bank, optician, family members or simply into Wick or Thurso.
For some people, driving is not about convenience.
It is about maintaining independence.
That is why any new requirements for older drivers need to be considered carefully.
There is an obvious road-safety argument for making sure that drivers can see properly. But there is also a wider question about what happens to people who can no longer drive in areas where alternative transport is limited.
It isn't just about age
There is also a danger of assuming that somebody becomes an unsafe driver simply because they reach a particular birthday.
People age differently.
Some 75-year-olds may have excellent eyesight, good reactions and decades of driving experience. Someone considerably younger may have an eyesight or medical problem that makes driving more difficult.
That is one reason the proposed change has focused on eyesight rather than simply introducing an automatic driving test at 70.
The Government's consultation was specifically about ensuring that older drivers meet the required eyesight standard.
What should drivers approaching 70 do?
For the time being, the practical advice is fairly straightforward.
Don't assume that turning 70 means handing over the car keys.
Renew the licence when required, make sure DVLA has been told about any relevant medical conditions, and have your eyesight checked regularly.
And if the Government eventually introduces compulsory eyesight testing as part of the renewal process, drivers will need to meet whatever new rules are brought into law.
For Caithness, however, there is a bigger issue behind the debate.
As the population gets older, more people will reach the age at which these questions become relevant.
If some eventually have to stop driving, what transport alternatives will be available to them?
That is a much bigger question than whether someone can still read a number plate from 20 metres away.
In a city, losing your licence can be a nuisance.
In rural Caithness, it can change how you live your life.