Starting in September 2025 a regulation comes into effect in the United States that changes how people over 70 renew their driver’s license. The idea is not to take permits away suddenly, but to adjust the evaluations according to the age and the capacities of each person, we have to know that at a certain age there are people who are not in condition to get behind the wheel. The Department of Transportation wants the millions of older adults in the country to be able to drive but without putting road safety at risk, and no, they do not want to go against their independence!
Why is the law modified
It is estimated that more than 48 million Americans over 65 years old have an active driver’s license, that is very good, eh, but that figure will only grow as life expectancy increases. The problem is that with age come more vision problems, slower reflexes and, in some cases, some cognitive difficulties that could mean they are not especially fit to drive.
In the past, they would simply have revoked their licenses, but now they will evaluate that each driver can drive correctly regardless of their age.
How renewal will be from now on
The system will be organized in age brackets, with tests that increase in demand as the years go by:
- Between 70 and 79 years old standard vision and reflex tests will be carried out.
- From 80 to 86 years old the license will be renewed in person every 2 to 4 years, with a closer review of each user’s capacities.
- From 87 years old there will be a mandatory annual driving test and a medical certificate that confirms that the person can drive safely.
The idea is to detect any deterioration in time and avoid families having to make difficult decisions suddenly.
Other evaluations
In addition to vision tests, some drivers will be called for memory, attention and reaction tests, and in specific cases there will be an on-road test.
It also opens the door for doctors, caregivers or family members to notify the DMV if they believe a driver is not safe… If the report has basis, an immediate reevaluation may be ordered.
Differences depending on the state
The rule is national, but each state will have room to apply it in its own way, as always:
- In California, people over 70 must always renew in person.
- In Florida, from 80 the vision test will be mandatory at each renewal.
- In Texas, people over 85 will undergo annual checks.
- In New York, from 80 a medical report may be requested.
Restricted licenses
There will be cases in which the driver can still drive, but with limitations. For them there will be restricted licenses: driving only during the day, on short trips or avoiding highways. A way to preserve some autonomy for drivers but reducing risks.
What happens if the license is lost
The objective is not to isolate anyone. That is why the regulation insists on alternatives such as public transportation, services like Uber or Lyft (volunteer programs). These options seek that the loss of the license does not also mean losing mobility.
The new law does not intend to cut the freedoms of our elders, but to adapt driving to the reality of each age. A flexible system, with more tests and reviews, that tries to maintain the balance between the independence of older people and road safety!