Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) offer a range of driver training courses which includes a driving assessment specifically designed for the mature motorist. Since April 2012 TfB have delivered over 400 mature driver assessments, with 29% being medical referrals from GP surgeries and specialist clinics such as memory. The majority are drivers who take the assessment voluntarily to ensure they are still driving safely and 26% are drivers that have returned for reassessment once, twice or more,
Many of the drivers who have taken an assessment state that they want to ensure their driving skills are kept up to date on a regular basis, and that they values the feedback given during and after the drive. The aim of the Mature Driver Scheme is to raise awareness of the services available to drivers as they age and to support drivers through driving assessments to help keep them driving safely for longer.
Drivers aged 70 and over are increasing by over 10,000 a month and many older drivers face health challenges, such as deteriorating eyesight, hearing and mobility. TfB encourage drivers to have regular eye-sight tests and to take advantage of these voluntary assessments which can help to restore confidence or to identify areas of concern.
The one hour driver assessment costs £37 and is taken in the client’s own car on local routes familiar to them and is based around the client’s driving needs. This is followed up by a detailed written report which gives an overview of the drive and highlights any areas of the candidate’s driving that might need improving.