Illinois is currently considering significant changes to its driver’s license renewal process for older adults. Here’s what you need to know about the proposed changes and current requirements:
Proposed Changes
House Bill 1226, also known as the Road Safety and Fairness Act, aims to modify the license renewal process for senior drivers in Illinois. The key proposed changes include:
- Raising the age for mandatory behind-the-wheel driving tests from 79 to 87.
- Eliminating the driving test requirement for some age groups while maintaining in-person renewals.
Current and Proposed Renewal Requirements
Current System:
- Drivers 79 and older: Annual road test required for license renewal.
- Drivers 81-86: Road test required every two years.
Proposed System (if HB 1226 passes):
- Drivers 79-80: In-person renewal with vision test every 4 years; no driving test required.
- Drivers 81-86: In-person renewal with vision test every 2 years; no driving test required.
- Drivers 87 and older: Annual in-person renewal with vision and driving tests.
Rationale for Changes
- Safety Data: IDOT figures from 2018 to 2022 show that drivers aged 75 and older consistently experienced lower crash rates compared to nearly every other age group.
- Discrimination Concerns: AARP Illinois, representing 1.7 million members aged 50 and older, believes the current policy is discriminatory.
- Alignment with Other States: Illinois is currently the only state that requires a driving test based solely on age.
- Reduced Wait Times: The proposed changes could potentially reduce wait times at secretary of state facilities.
Additional Considerations
- Vision tests will still be required for all age groups during in-person renewals.
- Written exams may be required if the driver has a moving violation on their record.
- The bill also aims to establish procedures for family members to report concerns about a relative’s driving ability.
Timeline
If passed and signed by the Governor, the new law would go into effect on July 1, 2026.
While these changes are significant, Illinois would still maintain some of the strictest license renewal requirements for older drivers in the nation. The bill aims to balance road safety with fairness for older drivers, reflecting the latest data on age-related driving abilities.
Sources:
- https://news.wttw.com/2025/01/14/new-bill-would-raise-age-mandatory-road-tests-illinois-seniors-87
- https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25844.html
- https://www.iihs.org/media/3cea10aa-426f-45d7-8ced-9ba5db43e80f/7u0Myw/HLDI%20Research/Bulletins/hldi_bulletin_33.20.pdf
- https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois-bill-could-raise-age-for-mandatory-license-renewal-driving-test-for-seniors/
