Good News for Senior Drivers

Illinois drivers ages 75 to 78 do not need to take an annual driving test to renew their license, a change made during the pandemic and now the Illinois Secretary of State wants to make that permanent.

Citing statistics showing accidents for that age group have remained low, prompting the Secretary of State to ask for the permanent change.

Drivers ages 79 and older will still be required to take the road exam while renewing their driver’s licenses.

Illinois drivers ages 75 and older were required to take an annual road exam when renewing their licenses.

“Illinois is the most stringent state in the nation with regards to senior driving laws. And in fact, we are the only state in the nation that requires a road exam upon renewal of a driver’s license based on the senior driver’s age,” Henry Haupt, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office, said.

Haupt said the rule was changed during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain social distancing and masking.

“I think drivers will appreciate this extension of the rule that is already in place. It will allow them to renew their driver’s license in a little quicker fashion,” he said.

Haupt said Illinois is the only state that requires the road exam due to a senior’s age when renewing a driver’s license.

The AARP posted a statement saying:

“While temporarily raising the minimum age for the drivers test to 79 is a positive step, the law should be changed to assess all drivers’ ability to be safe rather than targeting older drivers, and this can be done using evidence-based studies to identify at-risk drivers of all ages.AARP Illinois looks forward to working with the secretary of state and the general assembly during 2023 to address this issue.”