According to recent data from the DVLA, there is a notable increase in the number of individuals aged 80 and above holding valid driving licenses, with the oldest license holder in Britain now being 108 years old. The figures reveal that over 5.7 million individuals in this age group possess a full driving license, marking a 10 percent rise since March of the previous year. These drivers now represent approximately one in seven of all drivers, as reported by MultiQuoteTime, a prominent campervan and car insurance comparison site.
The statistics further highlight that the largest subset among older drivers is the age range of 70 to 79, with 4.2 million individuals falling into this category, indicating an 11 percent increase since last March. Additionally, the number of drivers in their 80s has reached 1.4 million, experiencing a nine percent rise. Notably, the most significant percentage increases have been observed in the oldest age groups, with a 12 percent increase in the number of drivers aged 90-99, totalling nearly 133,000, and a 23 percent increase in the number of drivers aged 100 and above, exceeding 500.
Eamonn Turley, the Founder of Multi Quote Time, remarked on the surge in older drivers, particularly the baby boomers reaching their 70s, stating that those in the 70-79 age category benefit from the lowest car insurance premiums compared to other age groups. However, he also noted that they may encounter an increase in costs around the age of 80. Nevertheless, their premiums remain lower than those of a 50-year-old and significantly less than those of individuals in their 20s.
Eamonn emphasized the importance of older drivers utilizing price comparison sites to explore opportunities for savings, particularly considering switching to a car with a smaller engine size to help reduce costs. He also cautioned against adding younger relatives to the policy, as this would result in higher premiums, and in the event of an accident involving the younger driver, the policyholder could lose their no-claims bonus.
The baby boomers, born in the 1950s, were among the first to experience driving on motorways when they were introduced in the UK in 1959, granting them extensive driving experience. However, when drivers reach the age of 70, the DVLA requires license renewal every three years to ensure any changes in health are properly addressed.
Previous data from insurancequotesni.co.uk revealed that premium costs for young drivers actually decreased during the pandemic.With approximately 3 million users annually and partnerships with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products, including over 80’s car insurance and motorhome insurance for over 80’s. MultiQuoteTime maintains a strong reputation, recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.
