Ministry denies elderly drivers face curfews

A spokesman said there had been speculation that the European Union was considering issuing a directive on driving licences. An article on the issue appeared in the Sunday Times on March 11. 'We have no plans to restrict older drivers' movements, either by imposing a night-time curfew or limiting the distance they can drive. It is not imminent and would not be automatically enforced in the UK,' he explained. 'Some people restrict their driving voluntarily, but we will not force them.' Wynne Keenan from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency said that no formal Commission proposal had yet been published. 'Reports about what is contained in the new directive can only be speculation. Any new directive would not take effect until 2004-2006. Once the draft has been published, there will be widespread public consultation on whatever changes are proposed.' The Driving Standards Agency told optician that it had received no formal notification on this issue.