The UK government has postponed mandatory eyesight tests for older motorists, originally set to impose £1,000 fines for non-compliance. Public consultations on these and other road-safety measures now extend until May 11, 2026.
Proposed Road Safety Reforms
Officials aim to introduce eyesight checks every three years for elderly drivers as part of a comprehensive overhaul. This initiative targets drink- and drug-driving, seatbelt usage, and uninsured driving to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that progress on road safety has stalled and emphasized the need for stronger measures. She declared: “We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”
Potential Penalties and Risks
Insurance expert Alicia Hempsted from MoneySuperMarket warns that failing to comply could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points. She noted: “Not only are there legal ramifications to not wearing glasses or contact lenses behind the wheel, but there are also financial ones too, should you get into an accident, as your car insurance could be invalidated if you do not meet the standards of vision.”
Hempsted advises regular eye tests, recommending them every two years since vision can deteriorate unnoticed. She added: “People’s vision can change over time, sometimes without them realising. That’s why it’s important to have an eye test every two years to make sure you still meet the legal standard for driving safely and confidently.”
Support from Road Safety Advocates
Edmund King OBE, director of The AA Charitable Trust and AA president, hails the proposals as a “radical reframing of road safety” that is “long overdue.” He commended the government’s ambitious strategy, stating: “We commend the government for its wide-ranging and ambitious strategy and ambitious targets, which we hope will save the lives of thousands of people.”
King highlighted key focus areas: “Tackling drivers who drive under the influence of drink or drugs, people who don’t wear their seatbelts and those getting behind the wheel without insurance are key to reducing road deaths and serious injuries.”
