Car Insurance

Motorists aged 75 and over may have to take five-yearly driving tests, claims the DVLA. Elderly motorists may have to take an additional driving test under plans to reduce the number of accidents on British roads, and may also find their car insurance premiums fall as a result.

Drivers in the UK aged 75 or over will have to attend an assessment centre and complete a paper-based test to re-examine their fitness to drive, under new proposals outlined by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

However, the move could result in lowering the car insurance premiums of older drivers who pass the test, allowing them to find cheap car

insurance quotes. Elderly drivers will also have to repeat the test every five years in order to continue driving. The move comes as the number of OAP drivers is rapidly increasing and estimates show there are more than 1.5 million drivers over 75 in the UK. More and more elderly drivers are retaining their cars as they get older in order to remain highly mobile. But research suggests that the current system, which requires those over 70 to fill in a form stating their medical condition is being widely abused, with only ten per cent of people with a notifiable condition admitting to it. Alastair Kennedy, who conducted the research, said: "People rely on cars and there is a lot of incentive for them to keep quiet about any conditions."