If You Still Want to Drive After 75 - Here's what to do

If you still love driving but you're aged 75,  in New Zealand, you must renew your driver's license.  If you don't know how to go about this and what's involved then have a read of  Vanessa Glennie from the Lifetime team's article here:  Licence to Drive After 75 – what to expect 

Or you can read the article in full below. Please let us know if you are still driving in our comments and help others with some tips on how to work through the process.

Licence to Drive After 75 – what to expect

Many of us still have the vim and vigour of our considerably younger selves when we reach the ripe age of 75 and wouldn’t dream of hanging up our car keys. However, if you’re still keen on getting behind the wheel after your 75th birthday, you’ll need to renew your driver licence.

While there’s an extra step or two involved than joining the queue at your local AA and smiling for the camera, it’s just a routine part of staying road-ready and more about ensuring your well-being than anything else.

Here, we outline the process:

Timing it right

You must renew your licence on or before its expiry date, but no earlier than six months in advance. Helpfully, you should get a renewal pack in the mail about eight weeks before your licence expires.

Getting a medical check

To renew your licence at 75, 80 and every two years after, you’ll need a medical check to certify that you’re still fit and safe to drive. As we age, our physical and cognitive abilities can change, so it’s important to make sure your driving remains as sharp as ever. Think of it as part of your regular health routine.

What to expect

You’ll need to book an appointment with your GP (make sure you tell them it’s for your driver licence renewal), who will assess your:

• Medical history - If you've been seeing the same doctor for a while, this part will be quick since they already know your health background. They may also talk with your family members if they’re there with you.
• Vision - Good eyesight is crucial for safe driving. Your GP will check your eyes to make sure everything’s in order. Remember to bring your glasses or contact lenses if you use them.
• Physical Health Checks - Your heart, lungs, pulse, blood pressure, and abdomen will be examined to spot any conditions that might affect your driving.
• Coordination and reaction times - Driving requires good coordination and quick reactions. Your doctor will check these make sure you can respond appropriately to any on-the-road risks or challenges.
• Cognitive ability – specific cognitive tests are used to assess attention, memory, visuo-spatial capacity, verbal fluency and memory. Conditions like dementia can impact your ability to drive safely. If your GP has concerns, they might suggest further testing.

Fit to drive

Depending on the outcome of your medical assessment, your doctor will deem you:

• Medically fit to drive: You’re fully fit to drive without any restrictions.
• Fit to drive with conditions: You may be allowed to drive under certain conditions, such as only with corrective lenses, or during daylight hours, or within a certain distance from home. These conditions are tailored to address specific medical concerns that could affect your driving.
• Fit to drive subject to a practical test: You’ll be cleared to drive if you pass an on-road safety test. Click here for more information.
• Specialist referral: Your doctor might refer you to a specialist – an optometrist or occupational therapist, for example – for further tests before you’re declared medically fit to drive.

What if you’re not cleared to drive?

If your doctor determines that you don’t meet the required medical standards, you will not be granted a medical certificate. This means you won't be able to renew your driver licence and it's no longer safe or legal for you to drive. This can be upsetting news to receive, so make sure you talk about it with loved ones or a health professional if you need support processing it. For help with the practical implications, check out our article: Keep the wheels spinning when you no longer drive.

Next steps

Once you have your medical certificate, you’ll need to take that to your local NZTA agent along with your completed application form, identification and the means to pay the $21.50 renewal fee.

 For more information and resources on senior drivers, visit the NZTA website.

 Stay safe, and happy driving!

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