Illinois Ends Mandatory Driving Test for Seniors Aged 79-86 Starting July 1

Illinois, the only state to require elderly drivers to take age-based driving tests, is set to eliminate this requirement for drivers aged 79-86 starting July 1. Under the Road Safety & Fairness Act, introduced by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, drivers in this age bracket will no longer need to undergo a driving test. Instead, they will be required to renew their licenses every 4 years and undergo a vision test if they are between 79-80 years old, or every 2 years if they are between 81-86 years old. This change aims to shift the focus from age to safe driving ability. According to state data, elderly drivers have the lowest crash rate of all age groups, with drivers aged 75 and older having a crash rate of 25.54 per 1,000 licensed drivers in 2024. Approximately 350,000 local drivers will be affected by this change, with around 55,000 drivers in this age group taking a driving test each year. The new law will require drivers aged 87 or older to have their licenses renewed annually, undergo a vision test, and pass a driving test. Giannoulias stated that this law removes an unnecessary burden for older drivers while preserving strong safeguards to protect everyone on the roads.