Lock-down support

During these difficult times then we have created four safety bulletins providing advice for older drivers during the lock-down period. They are in easy to read, print or download PDF’s.

Part 1: Car Care during lock-down – Click here to open

Part 2: Maintaining Driving Skills during lock-down – Click here to open

Part 3: Getting back on the road – Click here to open

Part 4: Living without a car, post lock-down – Click here to open

Click here for Quick Guide leaflet for Dorset schemes

Click here to see Dorset’s Road Safety web site

Click here to follow relevant pathways for assessments if you are a medical practitioner

Click here to see the ‘Cost Calculator’ to estimate how much it costs to run your car and how much you would need to spend on public transport

If you don’t have a medical condition which affects your driving then the forum recommend the following assessments:

Click here to see the list of notifiable medical conditions
https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

If you do have a medical condition that may affect your driving then see Wessex DriveAbility assessment at the bottom of the this page

If you live in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire or Berkshire then why not have a look at the ‘Going Car Free‘ web site. You can additionally Contact them by:
Tel: 02380 554100
E-Mail: hello@goingcarfree.com

Dorset Gold

Dorset Driver Gold is aimed at people aged 65 years and over who have an interest in updating their skills and knowledge, want help in familiarising themselves with a new vehicle or simply want to gain confidence. Dorset Gold is run by IAM RoadSmart

Click here for more information

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)

Offer a number of courses to give assistance to the older driver, like the Mature Driver Review which is great in building confidence

Click here for more information.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

Offer offer an RoADAR Driving Review. This is a one hour drive in your own car with a RoSPA Assessor

Click here for more information

If you do have a medical condition that may affect your driving then see Wessex DriveAbility assessment at the bottom of the this page

Click here to see the list of notifiable medical conditions
https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

Driving Mobility

Mobility Centres have specially trained clinicians and specially trained professional driving instructors to assess how a person’s condition or disability affects their driving and what help, including car adaptations, will enable them to continue to drive safely. This includes a medical assessment and an in-car driving assessment in a dual controlled car.

Click here for more information

There are 20 accredited Driving Mobility Centres in the UK and a range of satellite centres operating from just under 80 venues. They do around 13,000 assessments a year. Most people are within a one hour drive of a Centre

At these Centres, specially qualified Occupational Therapists and Approved Driving Instructors offer Fitness to Drive assessments to those who wish to gain or retain independence through safe driving.

Fitness to Drive assessments last up to 2½ hours and include a pre-drive consultation and an on-road drive in a dual controlled vehicle. Assessment outcomes are detailed in a comprehensive report which is recognised by the DVLA and may assist in licence renewal, particularly when medical investigations are being carried out.