Still too young for a free TV licence, at three score years and ten

As if January were not a depressing enough month, it was my birthday on Monday. The older one gets, the more depressing this becomes, and to make matters worse this year was a Landmark Birthday.

In other words, my age ends in a zero. It comes as a surprise to me, but I am now 70 years old. So, in case you hadn’t already guessed, that photo at the top of this page was taken decades ago.

Unlike most similar occasions, attaining the age of 70 affords little to celebrate. At 30, we are finally acknowledged as proper mature adults. At 40, we are told that we have reached the age where life begins. At 50, most of us can benefit from cheaper car insurance. At 60, we enter the world of free bus travel. But 70?

I’ve reached my allotted three-score years and ten, so, according to the bible, it’s pretty much over for me now, even though I’m still too young for a free TV licence.

The only way the state marks seven decades is by asking you to re-apply for your driving licence. This is a simple process. You fill in a form online, which involves telling the DVLA that your eyesight is still OK and they send you a new one in the post, no more questions asked.

The government is currently considering introducing mandatory eye tests at 70, which is a great idea. It will save a lot of money and administrative time.

When you receive your new licence, it has an updated valid form date of your 70th birthday. It is otherwise identical to the old one, which you are told to cut up and throw in the bin.

Take a look at your own driving licence and you will note that the dates are in very small type, doubtless difficult for older people to read.

I wonder how many staff are employed by the DVLA in Swansea solely to field calls from 70-year-olds who have accidentally cut up the wrong licence.

Compulsory eye tests could save the taxpayer millions.