Madam, – I am 83 years old and have just renewed my driving licence. This was supposed to cost me nothing, but has cost €70 for a one-year licence (€60 for a medical cert and €10 for photographs, three of which I didn’t need).
This is disgraceful exploitation of the elderly. Many over-70s are caught in the same situation. Normally one would expect to be granted approval for a three-year licence, which would bring the annual cost down to about €23 per year, but one year’s approval costing €70 is not on.
It should be agreed with doctors that over-70s on medical cards should not be charged for having their sight tested. This change could be implemented overnight, without any delay or fuss. The charge for photographs should be only for the two copies that are required, say at a cost of €5. – Yours, etc,