DVLA Revokes or Refuses Renewal for 33,000 Drivers
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has cancelled almost 33,000 driving licences after discovering that motorists had eyesight-related conditions that made them unsafe to drive. The motoring authority either revoked or refused renewal of licences over these conditions, ruling that the drivers potentially posed a risk on the roads.
Freedom of information data from Marshall Motor Group revealed a total of 32,944 such cases over the last four years. Around two-thirds of these involved drivers aged over 70, a group more likely to experience deteriorating vision and waning focus and concentration.
Separate Investigation Finds Over 10,000 Licences Cancelled Since 2025
A separate investigation by BirminghamLive found that over 10,000 licences were cancelled since the start of 2025, with those drivers ordered to stop driving immediately. The DVLA's actions come as the Government plans to introduce mandatory eyesight tests for over-70s to improve road safety.
Drivers must renew their licences once they turn 70 and every three years after that. They are required to report any medical conditions or health concerns, and the DVLA can take action if it is not confident about safety. Critics of the self-reporting system fear too many people are slipping through the net.
Optometrists Call for Mandatory Eye Tests at Licence Renewal
Daniel Hardiman McCartney, clinical advisor at The College of Optometrists, said: "The solution is in plain sight: requiring evidence of a valid eye test at every licence renewal would ensure drivers meet the vision standards for driving and help improve road safety for all." He added that optometrists do not just check visual acuity but also detect eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular disease, which can impair vision and increase the risk of a serious collision without drivers being aware they have developed the condition.
Regular eye tests are a practical step that will ensure issues are picked up and treated earlier, helping to preserve sight and save lives, according to Hardiman McCartney.
