Oldest people licensed to drive in Britain are aged 104
There are now 265 people in Great Britain aged 100 or more who hold a full driving licence.
This is a 15% rise since October 2015.
The four oldest drivers among the 265 are all aged 104.
According to DVLA data there are also now just over five million people aged 70 or more who hold a full licence.
Once people reach age 70 they must declare whether or not they are fit to drive every three years, without having to take a driving or medical examination.
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said:
“Calls are routinely made for more testing of older drivers but most tend to have very good safety records and recognise their own limitations.
“However, with this huge demographic shift there will be challenges to maintaining safe mobility for all of us.
“Even where people are encouraged to hang up the keys for good in the interests of road safety, we must recognise the social and health problems that come with isolation.”
“Out of the four key challenges ministers set out as part of their industrial strategy in November, one focuses on mobility and another on the ageing society.”
According to the Office for National Statistics there were around 14,900 people aged at least 100 in 2016.
The government estimates that of the people alive today in Great Britain, 10 million will reach their 100th birthday.
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 020 7747 3445 | 07711 776448 | 020 7389 0601 (ISDN)
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation that explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist.
All the Foundation’s work is available on its website: