Should the elderly(60) be forced to take a driving test to keep their license?

Yes, I'd say about every three years.

yes, Yes, YES - please...every year. at least in 'tourist/retirement' states or areas - if you could restrict it that way i dont know. but i know we need it real bad where i am right now.

They already do a medical check-up,I guess...at least they do it here,I guess...I think that maybe an old person can have his sight or brain impaired,and that it would show with a regular check-up, no need of another driving test...if they're still sane and healthy they don't forget how to drive I suppose!

I'm pretty sure they do something like that here (British Columbia). 60 sounds a bit young, but I don't know, it isn't TOO unreasonable I guess. I probably would have said 65 or 70. I ticked "every five years", but it should probably move up to "every other year" after 75 or 80. I'd think that they would have a pretty good idea when and how often, once they had the programme in place. They'd kind of get a feel for what was appropriate. Possibly, it could even start with a doctor's note.

You bet.

Yes,I think when you hit 60 you should have to take nother test. My grandad is very plainly losing his ability to drive, though he is too stubborn to stop.

Yes - every other year and every year as they age.
It's really scary to see the people who are allowed to drive. Some are on heavy medication, some are quite senile, some can barely see and have no business on the road.

But what's REALLY SCARY are the baseball cap wearing Honda Civics drivers! I hear of more accidents involving them than the old folks...

60 might be a little young in many cases, but at some point I think they should. A lot of elderly people are serious hazards when they get behind the wheel.

With cattle prods

and be tested for the next 40 years? and what if they started earlier?
Less discriminatory or demeaning would be bi-annual tests for EVERYONE testing peripherey awareness, reaction time, caution at intersections, etc., especially with a video simulator. There are many other factors besides age that make poor drivers. If you're going to rule out those too old to be on the ball, you should also rule out those who were never on the ball in the first place.

Hell yes. Them pensioners are dangerous. They should have psychiatric tests too. I say every five years though as it would be difficult and costly.

Thanks to all who have and will respond. It helps a lot.

I agree. Now that you bring the point up it makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I think that *everyone* should be made to retake their driving test every 10 years until they're 65. Then they should take it again at 70 and after that every 1-2 years.

Yes, every five years.

Why should there be psychiatric tests?

Every five years, or every other year if they have been involved in an accident recently. I was T-boned by an 86-year-old woman as I was pulling out of the grocery store lot. It was dark, and she had forgotten to turn on her headlights. I didn't see her, and the next thing I knew...WHAMMO! She got a ticket for the headlight thing, and her car was totalled. Thankfully I was driving the '77 Nova I had then and was able to drive it home with only a dent in the door.

Being infirm and having bad hand eye coordination is one thing but being senile and cranky is another!

Every other year after 70 not 60 thats way to young.

Maybe everyone should have to take another test every 10 years then every 5 years after they reach 75 or 80.

I don't really consider 60 to be elderly.

70, maybe.

the problem is pretty sticky. I'd definitely support mandatory testing after a certain set number of moving violations... maybe for any age. I'd like to require testing for elderly folks but that opens up other problems... a lot of elderly people are on their own. What if they have no other way to get around?

YES!!!!!!!!

Hello! Haven't seen you about in a while! How are things?

Every 5 years after 60, and then every other year to every year if there is a definitive change in vision or mental impairments.

I think 60 might be too young to start.

Things are COLD!!! I hate winter. I am trying to hibernate How is school?

I think everyone should be forced to resit their drivers license every 5 years.

Driver's licenses should be eliminated altogether.

Great! Just under a week to go before my 6 week Christmas break This is our last weekend here so we've cooked Christmas dinner (including a starter and a cake) using nothing more than a microwave, a kettle and two hob rings!

It's not *too* chilly here yet, but it is colder here than it is at home because Oxford is so flat and Sheffield is so hilly.

I think every five years is fair. I might want an age limit ultimately, but I guess that would be unfair to those who are over a hundred and still "whipper-snappers".

HELLO! Obviously somebody has no life! How could you possibly get around w/o a driver's license? It's necessary it keep drivers safe from SOME of the wackos out there!

Uhhh, read what I wrote again. I didn't say to get rid of cars or roads, just licenses. People could still get around by driving.

Please explain to me how a little rectangle of plastic with my picture, address, and birthdate printed on it keeps anyone safe? The evidence seems fairly clear that just about anyone can get a license, regardless of skill level. However, since people need to get around, as you point out, and we've laid out our society so getting around essentially requires an automobile, it really has to remain the case that anyone can get a license. If they don't do any good, why have them at all?

Yes, because they could form cataracts. They may not know it and they continue to drive. Thus, endangering themselves and others.

That is true, you thought of something really logical there. Because some...people JUST CAN'T DRIVE!

i think all people should retake a driving test every ten years

Most definitely. After a certain age, the reflexes are much slowed and the quick thinking sometimes needed for defensive driving slows after 70. Even some of the most physically active seniors shouldn't be driving. Why do you think 10 years olds don't drive? They could probably steer the car etc...but can they make the right decisions quick?

there driving skills my change. and plus some elderly people cannot drive speaking from experience got hit by a elderly person and he was blind in one eye ain't that a (dog)

Thrice since this survey started I've almost been plowed over on my bike by elder drivers that didn't see me. The fellow today exchanged smiles with me. I hope at least the gravity of the situation sunk in.

Heck. Everyone should. Not just the elderly.

yes, they should- by gun point.
(can you see over the dash with this revolver jamming in your back?)

good point but if you get in an accident it could be used to identify you so they can contact a loved one.

No question that a driver's license CAN be used for good things. I don't think it follows that simply because something MIGHT be used for good that it should be made mandatory by law.

I think it's very important that they should get tested at least every other year. Everyone should probably have to retake their drivers test every once in a while. I worked at Dairy Queen through my teens and there were so many old people who didn't even know enough to roll down their window or put their car in park. It freightens me to be on the roads with these people.

Yes. I wish someone would make my father. How can we stop him from driving? He's still got some wits, but has had alot of fender benders recently. He's 71.