Guide to driving and mobility

Whether you passed your driving test in your teens or more recently, there are things you need to think about when driving as you get older. Find out more about renewing your licence, medical rules, mobility, adapting a vehicle and parking schemes.

Renewing your driving licence at 70 plus

Your driving licence entitlement will expire when you reach the age of 70 and if you want to continue to drive, the entitlement will need to be renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

Renewing your driving licence at 70 plus (motoring section)

Renewing your driving licence for larger vehicles

Large goods vehicle or passenger carrying vehicle driving licence entitlements are valid until your 45th birthday. After that, you will need to renew your entitlement every five years until you are 65. After the age of 65 you have to renew your licence every year.

Renewing your driving licence entitlement for larger vehicles, minibuses or buses at 45 or 65 (motoring section)

Medical rules for all drivers

If you have a medical condition or disability that affects your fitness to drive you may need to inform the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

Telling DVA about a condition (motoring section)

The Blue Badge parking scheme

You may be entitled to join the Blue Badge parking scheme if you have a disability or find it difficult to stand or walk. You will need to satisfy certain criteria. This means you would be able to use pay-and-display or parking meter bays for free. You may also be able to park for up to three hours on yellow lines (restrictions apply).

The Blue Badge parking scheme (people with disabilities section)

Apply for a Blue Badge

The Disabled Persons Badge (Blue Badge) scheme is administered by Roads Service in Northern Ireland.

Apply for a Blue Badge parking permit

The Motability Scheme

Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Motability Scheme - run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability - gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease a car at an affordable price.

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing or buying a car if you're getting the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Even if you don't drive, you can apply for a car as a passenger and propose two other people as your drivers.

The Motability Scheme (people with disabilities section)

Adapting your vehicle

You can get your vehicle adapted so that driving is safe and comfortable and getting in and out of the car is easier. There are motoring accessories available for people with upper or lower body disabilities or both.