Motorists urged to 'dob in' older drivers to DVLA in safety crackdown

Motorists have been urged to report elderly relatives or friends to the which may revoke their if necessary.

, one of the leading charities for older people in the UK, has claimed anyone "seriously concerned" about an elderly motorist should

There is no legal age individuals must stop driving in the UK and road users are to stay on the road.

Instead, older drivers are told simply to to the DVLA.

Road users once they feel they are at the stage to quit driving.

However, Age UK recognises that many individuals are likely to "refuse to stop driving" even if they may be a risk.

In this scenario, they stress concerned family members or friends should consider getting in touch with the DVLA who will look into the concerns.

Age UK explained: "If you're seriously concerned about an older person's driving, but they're refusing to consider the alternative options available to them, you should write in confidence to the DVLA. They may then follow up with the local police.

"It's important that you think carefully about how this could affect your relationship with the person and consider other ways for you to get them to think about giving up."

But, specialists admit that individuals may want to try alternative methods for those in denial about their skills.

Offering alternatives such as using more public or community transport, looking into assistive aids and possible car adaptations may solve concerns without the need to get in touch with the DVLA.

Age UK added: "It may help you to discuss the issue with them if you put yourself in their shoes and think about what the impact would be on your day-to-day life if you had to give up driving.

"Driving can give people a sense of freedom and independence, so it can be very difficult to adjust to not driving anymore."

The DVLA has the if they feel an individual is a considerable risk behind the wheel.

The Older Drivers Forum explained: "If your driving licence was revoked or refused by the DVLA (or the DVA in Northern Ireland) for medical reasons, you must not drive until the DVLA or the DVA tell you that you can start driving again.

"If you drive while your licence is revoked you would be unlicensed and uninsured, which means you would be committing a serious offence which carries stringent penalties, including a heavy fine and having your car seized by the police."