Surprising number of Brits that believe licences should be revoked by age 50

Should drivers be forced to hang up their keys once they reach a certain age? According to our most recent survey, a small but vocal percentage of Brits believe just that. Speaking to 2,000 adults, we’ve uncovered some startling opinions on everything from revoking licences to how technology may come to the rescue.

Time to hang up the keys?

We found that a staggering one in 20 Brits (5%) believe that drivers should have their licences automatically revoked at age 50 due to 'old age.’

And, while the idea of revoking licences at age 50 may seem extreme, it’s part of a larger sentiment shared by over a third (36%) of Brits, who believe that driving licences should be automatically revoked once a person reaches a certain age. Opinions vary widely on what that age should be, with 8% of respondents pointing to 60 as the cut-off, and another 11% choosing age 70.

Interestingly, regional differences play a significant role in these views. In Greater London, nearly half (48%) of people agree that licences should be revoked at age 50, while the majority (78%) of residents in Northern Ireland oppose any form of age-related control.

Source: Carmoola.co.uk 

Should we retake driving tests?

In contrast, many Brits support retesting as they believe drivers’ skills should be regularly put to the test to ensure road safety. A majority (70%) of Brits believe drivers should be required to retake their driving test at regular intervals. Of those, a fifth (18%) think drivers should retake the test every 10 years, while 13% support retesting every 20 years, and 9% think a 30-year interval is enough.

Source: Carmoola.co.uk 

The idea of retesting more often gets stronger support from younger people, with 46% of those aged 25-34 being in favour, compared to just 20% of people 55 and older. But a decade-long retesting cycle raises concerns about drivers’ skills slipping, especially with new traffic laws and vehicle tech. Waiting that long could leave drivers out of touch with changes by the time they're tested again. In fact, more than a quarter of respondents (26%) stated they had concerns about older drivers having difficulty adapting to new traffic laws and technologies.

Autonomous cars: The future for older drivers?

As autonomous vehicles edge closer to becoming a reality, the debate about who is safe behind the wheel of a car is thrown into question. The UK's Automated Vehicles Act 2024, which is set to come into force in Britain from 2026, has opened up the possibility for older drivers to stay behind the wheel—albeit with some assistance. Diving into public opinion on this, our survey found that 34% of those who initially supported revoking licences at age 70+ were open to allowing older drivers to retain their licences if they had access to safe and reliable autonomous vehicles.

This notion of using technology to extend driving independence resonates particularly well with younger Brits, with nearly half (46%) of those aged 25-34 expressing confidence in autonomous vehicles helping elderly drivers. On the flip side, the older generation seem less convinced, with only a quarter (24%) of respondents aged 55+ agreeing.

The road to resolution is still under construction

The findings from our survey highlight a complex, ongoing conversation about age, driving safety, and the role of emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles. While some Brits are eager to set strict age limits for drivers, others advocate for retesting or letting technology take the wheel—literally.