When to give up driving?

Driving mostly relies on complex neuropsychological processes way below conscious awareness or control. These processes become impaired in normal ageing and neuropathology, compromising fitness to drive. The reduction in skill usually goes undetected by drivers who, nonetheless, have responsibility to inform the DVLA of any change in their status. Neuropsychological testing alongside on-road assessment is now routinely requested by the DVLA in determining fitness to drive for those cases brought to their attention. However, there are now more than a million drivers aged over 80, and 66,000 aged over 90. The idea of age-related driving impairment meets with various forms of cultural denial, precluding any objective discussion of how and when retirement from driving could or should become normal.