These are a vision test conducted by an optometrist and a cognitive assessment to determine safety behind the wheel.
Siobhan said: “Depending on your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire, you may be required to undergo medical assessment to assess your fitness to drive.
“These assessments are conducted by healthcare professionals, often your GP or a designated medical practitioner.
“Medical assessments may include vision tests, cognitive assessments, and discussions about specific health conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely. While it may seem daunting, these assessments are intended to support you in maintaining your independence while ensuring road safety.”
Experts at the Older Drivers Forum have called for the introduction of structure eye testing rules for elderly road users. The group stresses that vision should be checked every two years at minimum with poor vision making it impossible for many to see road hazards.
Pressure is mounting on decision makers to increase checks for older motorists with a judge calling for changes after the death of three-year-old Xander Irvine. Sheriff Principal Ross said the system of self-certification for older drivers at 70 was “significantly defective”.
This is because it does not pick up potentially unfit motorists who fail to report conditions on their self-certified form.
He stressed the rule “fails to recognise that driving ability may decline with age, or that dementia sufferers may be unaware of their own condition”.
Chiefs said that self-certification of fitness to drive should be restricted to only those under 80 years old.
They also added that road users older than 80 should not be granted a licence until they have undertaken a “short initial cognitive assessment”.
