What impact might age have on an elderly person's ability to drive?

Why that is the answer

As people grow older, natural physical changes mean their reaction times often slow down. This can make processing information and responding to hazards take longer. While many elderly drivers remain safe and experienced, you should allow them extra time and space. Age alone does not prevent someone from getting insurance, and all drivers, regardless of age, must obey the Highway Code, including signalling at junctions and meeting minimum eyesight requirements.

How this comes up in the real test

Questions from hazard awareness appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves.

The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock.

More hazard awareness questions

• A friend has given you some cough medicine. You take some and wish to drive your car, what should you do first?
• A motorcyclist has just overtaken you. What should you do if the motorcyclist sharply cuts in front of you?
• A police officer is making this signal to oncoming traffic. What does this mean?
• Before taking any medicine you should always check the leaflet. Why is this?
• Certain two-way streets have three lanes on them. Why do they pose a special risk?
• Do you need to plan rest stops when you’re planning a long journey?