At What Age Do Seniors Have To Take A Driving Test?

Age can bring about changes in vision, reaction time, and cognitive function, all of which are vital for safe driving.

Understanding the age at which seniors are required to retake their driving test is crucial for preparing both seniors and their families for transitions that ensure safety while preserving dignity and independence.

Below is a chart with information taken from IIHS.org outlining at what age and in which state seniors are required to take a driving test.

State	Driver License Renewals	Eye Exam Or Proof Of Adequate Vision	Mail or Online Renewal Permitted
AL	Every 4 years	No	Online – every other renewal
AK	Every 5 years	69 and older, every renewal	69 and older – not permitted
AZ	60 and older – every 5 years	Every renewal	No
AR	70 and older – every 4 – 8 years	Every other renewal	No
CA	Every 5 years	70 and older, every renewal	80 and older – not permitted
CO	Every 5 years	Every renewal	Both, if photograph is newer than 16 years
CT	65 and older – every 2 years	No	Both, every other renewal
DC	Every 8 years	Every renewal	70 and older – not permitted
DE	Every 8 years	Every renewal	No
FL	80 and older – every 6 years	80 and older, every renewal	Both, every other renewal
GA	Every 8 years	Every renewal	Both, every other renewal
HI	72 and older – every 2 years	Every renewal	Every 2 consecutive renewals but must appear at least every 16 years
IA	78 and older – every 2 years	70 and older, every renewal	70 and older – not permitted
ID	63 and older – every 4 years	Every renewal	70 and older – not permitted
IL	69 to 80 – every 4 years 81 to 86 and older – every 2 years 87 and older every year	75 and older, every renewal	Not permitted 75 and older
IN	75 to 84 – every 3 years 85 and older – every 2 years	75 and older, every renewal	Both, every other renewal
KS	65 and older – every 4 years	Every renewal	Not permitted 65 and older
KY	4 or 8 years, personal option	Every renewal	Both, if photograph is newer than 16 years
LA	Every 6 years	70 and older, every renewal	70 and older – not permitted
MA	Every 5 years	75 and older, every renewal	75 and older – not permitted
MD	Every 8 years	40 and older, every renewal	Both, if photograph is newer than 16 years
ME	65 and older – every 4 years	62 and older, every renewal	62 and older – not permitted
MI	Every 4 years	When renewing in person	Both, every other renewal
MN	Every 4 years	Every renewal	No
MO	70 and older – every 3 years	Every renewal	No
MS	Every 4 to 8 years, personal option	No	Online, every other renewal
MT	75 and older – every 4 years	Every renewal	Both, every other renewal
NC	66 and older – every 5 years	Every renewal	Online, every other renewal
ND	78 and older – every 4 years	Every renewal	70 and older – not permitted
NE	Every 5 years	72 and older, every renewal	72 and older – not permitted
NH	Every 5 years	Every renewal	Online, every other renewal
NJ	70 and older – every 2 to 4 years	Every 10 years	Both
NM	71 to 78 – every 4 years 79 and older – every year	75 and older, every renewal	75 and older – not permitted
NV	65 and older – every 4 years	71 and older, every renewal	65 and older – every other renewal
NY	Every 8 years	Every renewal	Both
OH	4 years for people 65 and older	65 and older, every renewal	Not permitted 65 and older
OK	4 or 8 years, personal option	No	Both, every other renewal
OR	Every 8 years	50 and older if renewing in person	Online, every other renewal
PA	65 and older – every 2 to 4 years, personal option	No	Both
RI	75 and older – every 2 years	Every renewal	Online, every other renewal
SC	Every 8 years	Every renewal	Both
SD	Every 5 years	65 and older, every renewal	Both, every other renewal
TN	Every 8 years	No	Both
TX	85 and older – every 2 years	79 and older, every renewal	79 and older – not permitted
UT	Every 8 years	65 and older, every renewal	Online, every other renewal
VA	75 and older – every 5 years	75 and older, every renewal	75 and older – not permitted
VT	Every 2 to 4 years	No	By mail only unless new photo is required
WA	6 or 8 years, personal option	Every renewal	70 and older – not permitted
WI	Every 8 years	Every renewal	No
WV	Every 8 years	Every renewal	Online – every other renewal
WY	Every 5 years	Every renewal	By mail – every other renewal

What Is The Maximum Driving Age By State?

I was really surprised to find out that there is NO maximum driving age for senior citizens in any of the 50 Untied States (or it’s territories)!

Given the dangers that an unsafe driver can pose, I would have thought each state would dictate at what ages older drivers should stop driving.

After all, it seems to make sense that everyone’s driving skills should be tested often to ensure not only their safety but the safety of others on the road.

Keep in mind, though, some states are more restrictive on their older drivers. These states we list below at least require a senior to pass an eye exam in order to renew their driver’s license!

For example, Illinois requires a road test and in-person renewal for drivers 75 years of age and older.

Additionally, Illinois drivers who are 87 years of age and over must renew their driver’s license annually.

What States Require Elderly Drivers To Retest?

It might help senior drivers and family members to know what states retest elderly drivers.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the states that test senior drivers in some manner are:

AZ, CO, FL, GA, ME, MD, OR, SC, UT, VA – a vision test is required for license renewal
Washington, DC – requires a vision test for license renewals. In some cases, an older person may also be required to complete a reaction assessment in the District of Columbia.
IL, NH – require a road test for license renewal

Driving Test Rules For Seniors Around The World

Other countries test their seniors to assess if they have a medical problem, vision problems and any physical impairments that may keep them from being safe drivers.

Australia – Beginning at age 75, drivers must pass a medical examination in order to continue driving.

Britain – Beginning at age 70, drivers must re-apply for a drivers license (and every 3 years onward). No other requirements are necessary.

Canada – In some parts of Canada, drivers age 75 must pass a medical exam. Again at age 80 and then every 2 years. Other parts of Canada require re-testing at age 80.

Denmark – Beginning at age 70, drivers licenses are renewed for 3 years and then every 2 years and then 1 year at age 80 plus.

Ireland – Any driver over the age of 70 must pass a medical examination every 3 years.

Italy – Beginning at age 70, drivers can renew their licenses every 3 years.

New Zealand – At age 75, drivers can renew their licenses for 5 years and at age 80 every 2 years.

The European countries that do not require any renewal procedure are Belgium, France and Sweden.

Do Seniors Have More Fatal Accidents Than Younger Drivers?

It would seem logical that age groups of older drivers would be at a higher risk have more problems with their driving ability and end up causing more fatal auto accidents than younger age groups – but the truth is actually a bit more complicated.

According to information from the Centers for Disease Control…

“Drivers aged 70+ have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes than middle-aged drivers (aged 35-54)”

Generally speaking older adult drivers have safer driving behaviors such as wearing seat belts, driving during the day and avoiding night time driving, etc.

But the CDC also states that…

“The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens aged 16–19 than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers in this age group are nearly three times as likely as drivers aged 20 or older to be in a fatal crash.”

The bottom line is that…