Recurance · prevention of future deaths reports
Pre-inquest brief
The earlier warning
Kathleen Fancourt · 2 Mar 2023 · Penelope Schofield, West Sussex
“At present there is no upper legal limit for drivers. Whilst drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check to confirm their fitness to drive.”
judiciary.uk/…/kathleen-fancourt-prevention-of-future-deaths-re…
What was promised
Stated action 1 · response to Kathleen Fancourt (2 Mar 2023) · stated timescale: none stated
“the Department for Transport recognises that older people must be able to maintain the skills and confidence required to remain safe and effective drivers. With funding from my department, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has developed an older drivers' website www.olderdrivers.org.uk which contains information to help older people to continue to drive for as long as they are safe to do so. It includes details on driving assessments and refresher training and provides advice on”
judiciary.uk/…/2023-0081-Response-from-Department-for-Transport…
Stated action 2 · response to Peter Walker (29 Jun 2023) · stated timescale: Q4 2023
“The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has accepted the recommendations issued by the AAIB and has commenced work to address them. This includes a project to look at the current Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) system and whether it is fit for purpose. As part of this, the CAA has committed to the following: 1. Updating the CAA's PMD webpage with supplementary information for pilots. This will also include a link to information on the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website; 2. Updating”
judiciary.uk/…/2023-0217-Response-from-Department-for-Transport…
Stated action 3 · response to Louis Thorold (18 Aug 2023) · stated timescale: none stated
“The DVLA will also investigate notifications from third parties, including concerned family, neighbours, or health care professionals. This is in recognition of the fact there may be times when individual drivers do not notify the DVLA appropriately or where a health condition affects their insight into their driving safely.”
judiciary.uk/…/2023-0311-Response-from-Department-for-Transport…
What recurred
- 29 Jun 2023 · Peter Walker · Nigel Parsley
- 18 Aug 2023 · Louis Thorold · Simon Milburn
- 20 Nov 2024 · Dorothy Nias · Emma Hillson · Identical hazard · confidence 0.95 (high)
- 17 Apr 2025 · Sheila Edwards · James Adeley · Closely related · confidence 0.90 (high)
The clearest link, quoted from both reports:
Earlier · Kathleen Fancourt · 2 Mar 2023
“At present there is no upper legal limit for drivers. Whilst drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check to confirm their fitness to drive.”
Later · Dorothy Nias · 20 Nov 2024
“At present there is no upper age limit for drivers. Drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years and there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check or assessment to confirm fitness to drive.”
What happened next
No evidence found either way · stated action 2
The Department for Transport has not confirmed whether the promised PMD webpage update with DVLA link was completed by Q4 2023.
No evidence found does not mean the action did not happen.
No evidence found either way · a stated action in a response
“House of Commons data for 03 September 2026 is currently being processed. Data for this date may temporarily appear incomplete.”
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Hansard - UK Parliament · hansard.parliament.uk/…/DriverAndVehicleLicensingAgency
“DVLA's next major update could affect millions of drivers across the UK. In this video, we break down the latest 2026 DVLA changes, who may be impacted, and what drivers should be aware of moving forward.”
DVLA’s Biggest Shake Up Yet Millions Of Drivers Face New Rules 2026 Changes Explained · youtube.com/watch?v=P26_0qzk4zY
“We use some essential cookies to make this website work.”
Department for Transport - GOV.UK · gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport
No evidence found does not mean the action did not happen.