DVLA Rule Change to Impact Driving Freedoms for Those Turning 70
London, UK – Drivers reaching thierโค 70th birthday โคwill automatically lose the ability to drive certain largerโ vehicles, the DVLA has confirmed. motorists will no longer hold C1 (medium-sized vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg) and D1 (minibuses) entitlements on โtheirโ driving โlicense upon turning 70.
The change affects millions ofโ pensioners and means โคthay will โคbe unable to operateโค heavier vehicles, including some Heavy goods Vehicles (HGVs) and potentially certain motorhomes, without further assessment. Individuals wishing to retainโ these entitlements must undergo retestingโ to demonstrate they โmeet higher medical standards.
“Drivers with โC1 and D1 entitlements are required to renew these categories when they reach the age of โ70, โensuring they meet theโ higher medical standards required toโข operate larger vehicles,” a DVLA spokesperson stated.
The rule stems from โฃchanges implemented in 1997, when C1 and D1 wereโ reclassifiedโค as group 2 entitlements from January 1st. Drivers โpassing their car test after January 1st, 1997, already needed additional tests and met stricter โmedical criteria to obtain these categories.However, those who passed before that date were automatically granted entitlement to drive C1 and restricted D1 vehicles.
The DVLA warns that failing to renew C1/D1 entitlement alongside a standard licence renewalโค will result in a loss of โdriving privileges for these vehicle types.While drivers can applyโค to regain the entitlement later, โฃit requires completing a D2 application form and a D4 medical examination report.
Older drivers โฃare already required to renew their driving licence photocard every three years after the age of 70, a more frequent requirement than the ten-year renewal period for drivers under 70.
The Older Drivers Forum explains: “Once you renew your licence at 70 yearsโ of age you will automatically โlose the C1 (Medium-sized vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg)โฃ and D1 โข(Minibuses) categories on your licence.”