NEWS - ELDERLY DRIVING Driving test passed at 93 years old An elderly lady proves she still has the correct knowledge and skills to be on todays roads. AN elderly motorist has shown there are still plenty of miles on the clock after re-passing her driving test at the age of 93. Laurette Levy, from Torquay, was asked by the DVLA to take another test due to her age and the amount of time she had been driving for. But she defied any predictions that she would be too old to drive by passing the driving test with flying colours. Laurette Levy has been driving for 60 years and is delighted to be back behind the wheel after proving she is as safe as younger motorists. She said: “The DVLA got in touch to say I had to take an appraisal because of my age. So I went and I passed. The driving instructor was the head of his department, I think, and was very complimentary. I drove for one and a half hours to complete the test, but I’ve been driving for 60 years so I knew what I was doing.” The law says older drivers must renew their licences every three years once they hit 70. But the renewal can usually be done for free online without a test. Mrs Levy, who was born in Lancashire in 1919 and retired with her late husband to Torquay in 1974, has always been a determined character. She was a WAAF for four years during the war and in later years was a multiple cup-winning amateur golfer at Torquay Golf Club. Mrs Levy says it has been many years since she had any sort of accident and can now continue driving. “I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging about anything,” she said, “but I am quite proud of passing the test at my age.” A spokesman fore the DVLA said: “All drivers have an obligation to make sure they are medically fit to drive, and to notify DVLA of the onset or worsening of a medical condition affecting their fitness to drive. Where we are notified of a condition which may affect a driver’s fitness to drive and a decision cannot be made on the evidence provided, we may request further information from the driver, their doctor or refer the driver for medical assessment or refer them to a driving assessor.” The DSA publishes its two year business plan THE Driving Standards Agency has published its business plan for 2013/15. This sets out the agency’s priorities and objectives for the next two years. DSA will continue to promote road safety to make sure Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world. It also aims to provide better efficiency and value for money, and respond more quickly and flexibly to changing customer demand. Chief Executive, Rosemary Thew, said: “At DSA we know THE INSTRUCTOR l our personal and business customers want more choice and a top class service. They also want to transact with us at more convenient times of the day and at a lower cost. “We are working hard to understand their needs and think in new ways about how we deliver services.” The agency plans to drive online take up of driving test bookings to 90% or more by spring 2014. The overarching aim is to become a ‘digital by default organisation’ by 2015. DSA also aims to be the first point of call for trusted, easily available information on driving and riding standards in Great Britain. It will continue to build on its national standards describing the skills, knowledge and understanding needed by drivers and riders to be safe, responsible and respectful road users. These include what instructors need to know or be able to do, to deliver effective training. To read the full business plan go to www.gov.uk/ government/publications/dsabusiness-plan-2013-to-2015. www.ukdic.co.uk