Elderly drivers may lose their driving licence after being dobbed in by family

Elderly drivers could lose their driving licence after being ‘dobbed in’ by relatives or friends. Concerned individuals can ‘write to the DVLA ‘ to highlight why a road user should not continue driving. It could see older motorists ‘in denial’ over their ability behind the wheel to have their licence revoked. Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training told GB News : ‘In terms of relatives and friends dobbing people in, that’s just a process where if people are concerned about the driving capability of a friend or more likely a relative, they can write to the DVLA or the GP and suggest that person no longer has the capability to keep driving. ‘In the current model, there is no mandatory age, which seems about right, and people self-select so there will come a moment when a relative suggests that driving is a thing that some people cannot continue to do.’ Elderly drivers could be dobbed in by family and friends (Image: Getty) ‘People could be in denial when they perhaps get to the point where their faculties are no longer at the level.” Earlier this year, new data showed tens of thousands of road users were losing their licences due to medical concerns. A Freedom of Information Act request to the DVLA made by LeaseLoco found elderly drivers made up the bulk of medical revocations. Just under 90,000 drivers have had their photocards cancelled between the start of 2022 and June 2023. Almost 60,000 over 50s have lose their licence over the past 18 months (Image: Getty) Of the 89,361 who had their licence taken away, a massive 59,930 were over the age of 50. Motoring lawyer Nick Freeman has previously told Express.co.uk that families needed to be ‘encouraged’ to report unsafe drivers where necessary. He commented: ‘It’s misguided loyalty for families to say to their loved ones, ‘I understand, I know you need to drive’. It’s misguided. ‘Families need to act with integrity and they need to make the right decision. ‘If they know one of their loved ones is not fit to drive they are doing neither them or their loved one or society any favours by turning a blind eye.’ Family and friends can report their relatives online in minutes through the DVLA website. Details such as the individual’s name, address and postcode must be provided. The DVLA explained: ‘DVLA can only investigate where a driver has a medical condition that affects their ability to drive safely… Please provide as much detail as possible so that we can locate the correct driver record.’