Older Driver Policy  - Amended May 2026

Fleet Communicare very much appreciates the efforts of all our volunteer drivers, both young and older, who give freely of their time to provide client transport to hospital and medical appointments. Driving a client to a medical appointment requires a more complex set of skills than that needed to drive oneself to a destination. Drivers need to be aware of the client’s needs in addition to the levels of concentration needed to safely drive the car.

To ensure we comply with best practice guidelines, as set out by The Good Neighbours Network (GNN), we encourage participation in the Older Driver Skills Assessment Scheme for any driver, current or new, once they reach the age of 65; Hampshire County Council is the provider and administrator of this scheme. Drivers can contact HCC directly to arrange a confidential assessment.

For drivers, between the ages of 60 to 75 years, Communicare will pay half the cost. Drivers can submit an invoice with their monthly expenses sheet.

All drivers over the age of 75 must undertake an Older Driver Assessment, at intervals recommended by The Hampshire Safer Roads Department, in order to be continue to volunteer for us. Communicare will liaise with Hampshire County Council to organise these assessments, as they become due. The cost is fully met by Communicare. These assessments are currently 2 yearly. For those drivers over the age of 80, the frequency is yearly.

The Older Driver Assessment (ODA) is an appraisal with the aim of updating and enhancing current driving skills. It is not a test and there is no pass or fail element. This assessment cannot affect your driving licence.
The assessor will sit beside you in your car and look at the way you drive along the roads you would normally take. He/she will assess the way the driver deals with various traffic situations whilst chatting to you, as a client would. The assessor will make recommendations to ensure ongoing safety. For older drivers who are required to have the assessment, Communicare will need to be informed of the outcome by the assessor.

Communicare will continue to use existing drivers when they reach the age of 75, if they agree to participate in the scheme. Communicare will cease to use drivers who have not completed an assessment 6 months after their 75th birthday.

All new drivers over the age of 75 years will be asked to undertake this assessment before they can accept client tasks.

A record of these assessments will be kept on our secure database.

Regular eye sight tests are important for safe driving in our later years. Communicare requires that drivers, over the age of 70 are able to confirm that they have had a biennial eye test and have achieved the acceptable standard for driving.

In addition, new drivers must have their own, individual, email address and be willing to join our Whatsapp Task group.

Kate Harvey Chair of Trustees 8.5.2026