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Retesting Elderly Drivers
It is no mystery that driving reaction time and general skills deteriorate with age. That is why older drivers are not always totally capable of operating a motor vehicle. But it is still necessary for them to drive to places, which creates a small controversy when it comes to license renewal. Generally, every applicant’s driving records is checked to for suspensions or revocations and, if clean, new licenses are issued after payment is received. Most states also require those applying for a renewal to appear in person and to pass a vision test. When it comes to senior citizens, many states have provisions to ensure that they are still fully capable of driving before received a renewal license. Beginning October 1, 2008, though, every licensee will need to submit to a vision test every 5 years.
Aside from general requirements, the renewal procedure for older drivers usually includes an accelerated renewal cycle, meaning they must renew their license more often. It also requires a renewal in person rather than by mail or online, and vision and road tests as well. After all this has been assessed, the licensing agency may do one of the following:
- Issue a license
- Refuse to renew the license
- Suspend/revoke the license
- Place restrictions on the license (prohibiting nighttime driving, requirement of extra mirrors on the vehicle, restricted driving radius, etc.)
If a person's ability to drive is still in doubt (due to their appearance, or to a negative driving history) licensing agencies may ask renewal applicants to take physical or mental examinations or to retake the standard licensing tests. When in doubt, licensing officials turn to their medical review boards (composed of health care professionals) for advice on licensing standards and on individual cases. If you have any concerns license renewal for the elderly, you should contact an experienced attorney to get the legal help you deserve.
| State | Length of Renewal Cycle | SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR OLDER DRIVERS | |
| Accelerated Renewal | Other Provisions | ||
| Alabama | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Alaska | 5 yr. | None | Mail renewal not available to people 69 and older and to people whose prior renewal was by mail. |
| Arizona 1 | Until age 65 1 | 5 yr. for people 65 and older | People 70 and older may not renew by mail. |
| Arkansas | 4 yr. | None | None |
| California | 5 yr. | None | At age 70, mail renewal is prohibited. No more than two sequential mail renewals are permitted, regardless of age. |
| Colorado | 10 yr. (eff. 7/1/01) | 5 yr. for people 61 and older (eff. 7/1/01) | Mail renewal not available to people 66 and older and to people whose prior renewal was by mail. |
| Connecticut | 4 yr. or 6 yr. | None that are safety related 2 | None that are safety related 2 |
| Delaware | 5 yr. | None | None |
| District of Columbia | 5 yr. | None | At age 70, or nearest renewal date thereafter, a vision test is required and a reaction test may be required. Applicant must provide a statement from a practicing physician certifying the applicant to be physically and mentally competent to drive. At 75 years, or nearest renewal date thereafter, and on each subsequent renewal date, the applicant may be required to also complete the written and road tests. |
| Florida | 6 yr. with clean record; 4 yr. otherwise | None | Renewal applicants 79 and older must pass a vision test administered at any driver's license office or if applying for an extension by mail must pass a vision test administered by a licensed physician or optometrist. (eff. 1/1/04) 3 |
| State | Length of Renewal Cycle | SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR OLDER DRIVERS | |
| Accelerated Renewal | Other Provisions | ||
| Georgia | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Hawaii | 6 yr. | 2 yr. for people 72 and older | None |
| Idaho | 4 yr. | Drivers ages 21-62 have the choice of a 4- or 8-yr. license; drivers 63 and older will receive a 4-yr. license | None |
| Illinois | 4 yr. | 2 yr. for drivers ages 81-86; 1 yr. for drivers 87 and older | Renewal applicants 75 and older must take a road test. |
| Indiana | 4 yr. | 3 yr. for drivers 75 and older | None |
| 5 yr. | 2 yr. for drivers 70 and older | None | |
| Kansas | 6 yr. | 4 yr. for drivers 65 and older | None |
| Kentucky | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Louisiana | 4 yr. | None | Mail renewal not available to people 70 and older and to people whose prior renewal was by mail. |
| Maine | 6 yr. | 4 yr. for drivers 65 and older | Vision test required at first renewal after driver's 40th birthday and at every second renewal until age 62; thereafter, at every renewal. |
| State | Length of Renewal Cycle | SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR OLDER DRIVERS | |
| Accelerated Renewal | Other Provisions | ||
| Maryland | 5 yr. | None | None that are safety related 4 |
| Massachusetts | 5 yr. | None | None that are safety related 4 |
| Michigan | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Minnesota | 4 yr. | None | None that are safety related 4 |
| Mississippi | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Missouri | 6 yr. | 3 yr. for drivers 70 and older and 21 and younger | None |
| Montana | 8 yr., 4yr. if by mail, or on 75th birthday, whichever occurs first | 4 yr. for drivers 75 and older | A person may not renew by mail for consecutive terms. |
| Nebraska | 5 yr. | None | None |
| 4 yr. | None | None that are safety related 4 | |
| New Hampshire | 5 yr. | None | Renewal applicants age 75 and older must take a road test. |
| State | Length of Renewal Cycle | SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR OLDER DRIVERS | |
| Accelerated Renewal | Other Provisions | ||
| New Jersey | 4 yr. | None | None |
| New Mexico | 4 or 8 yr. at driver's option | 4 yrs. for drivers who would turn 75 in the last half of an 8-yr. renewal cycle | None |
| New York | 5 yr. | None | None |
| North Carolina | 5 yr. | None | People 60 and older are not required to parallel park in the road test. |
| North Dakota | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Ohio | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Oklahoma | 4 yr. | None | None that are safety related 5 |
| Oregon | 8 yr. | None | Vision screening is required every 8 yr. for drivers 50 and older. |
| Pennsylvania | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Rhode Island | 5 yr. | 2 yr. for drivers 70 and older | None |
| State | Length of Renewal Cycle | SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR OLDER DRIVERS | |
| Accelerated Renewal | Other Provisions | ||
| South Carolina | 10 yr. 6 | 5 yr. for drivers 65 and older | Vision test required for people 65 and older. |
| South Dakota | 5 yr. | None | None |
| Tennessee | 5 yr. | None | Licenses issued to people 65 and older do not expire. 5 |
| Texas | 6 yr. | None | None |
| Utah | 5 yr. | None | Vision test required for people 65 and older. |
| Vermont | 4 yr. | None | None |
| Virginia | 5 yr. | None | None |
| 5 yr. | None | None | |
| West Virginia | 5 yr. | None | None |
| Wisconsin | 8 yr. | None | None |
| Wyoming | 4 yr. | None | None |
1. In Arizona, a person's license is valid until they reach the age of 65. Any person 65 years and older who is renewing their license by mail must submit a vision test verification form, provided by the department, or verification of an examination of the applicant's eyesight. The vision test or examination must be conducted within 3 months of the renewal application.
2. In Connecticut, individuals aged 65 and older may choose a 2-year or a 6-year renewal cycle. A personal appearance at renewal generally is required. Upon a showing of hardship, anyone aged 65 and older may renew by mail.
3. In Florida, regardless of age, only two successive renewals may be made electronically or by mail.
4. Some states' have licensing laws that specifically prohibit licensing administrators from discriminating against people solely by virtue of advanced age. Maryland law defines that age alone is not enough for reexamination of drivers; applicants for an initial license age 70 and older must provide proof of previous satisfactory operation of a vehicle or physician's certificate of fitness. Massachusetts law prohibits discrimination by reason of age with regard to licensing. Minnesota and Nevada have laws that specify that age alone is not a justification for reexamination. In Nevada, applicants for mail renewal age 70 and older must include a medical report.
5. The licensing fee is reduced for drivers 62-64 and are waived for drivers 65 and older in Oklahoma; fees are reduced for drivers 60 and older in Tennessee.
6. Beginning October 1, 2008 every individual with a driver's license will be required to submit to a vision test every 5 years.
Updated: LW
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- If you need legal assistance with an Auto Injury Claim, please consult with a Car Accident Lawyer near you to discuss the details of your case. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only.