A bill set to overhaul Illinois’ senior driver testing policies passed a Senate committee without opposition today. The Road Safety & Fairness Act, led by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, aims to raise the age for mandatory behind-the-wheel tests from 79 to 87, in line with practices across the United States. Instead of age-based testing, the proposed law would allow immediate family members to report safety concerns, prompting official review. Supporters, including AARP Illinois, highlight data showing seniors are among the safest drivers. If approved, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2026, impacting requirements for thousands of older drivers.
“Every decision we make is data-driven, and on this topic the data is clear: seniors are among the safest drivers of any age category,” Giannoulias said. “Aligning Illinois senior driving standards with the rest of the nation will remove an unnecessary burden for seniors while new reporting procedures will keep Illinois roads safe and accessible.”
“The data clearly shows that older drivers are safer drivers. Singling them out to take an extra test is a type of age discrimination that must end,” said Ryan Gruenenfelder, Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach at AARP Illinois. “We have heard from our members for years about how the driving test requirement perpetuates false narratives about their driving abilities. We urge the Illinois Senate to pass this legislation to bring Illinois requirements in line with every other state.”
“This measure will align Illinois senior driving standards with the rest of the nation while increasing safeguards so that Illinois remains among the strictest states for road safety,” Villivalam said. “It’s time to adjust this unnecessary and burdensome requirement unfairly placed on our state’s safest drivers.”
“A birthday is not an accurate gauge of one’s ability to get behind the wheel safely. Driving ability and medical health should serve as the determining factors,” said Hoffman. “Allowing immediate relatives – who have the most consistent interactions with their loved ones – to report medical concerns about a licensed driver is a more effective approach to maintaining road safety.”
Under the proposed legislation, behind-the-wheel driving test requirements would be amended as follows:
- Drivers ages 79 and 80 would still be required to visit a DMV facility if they need to renew their driver’s license and take a vision test (and a written test if a driving violation exists) but would not have to take a driving test.
- Drivers between the ages of 81 and 86 would still be required to visit a DMV facility to renew their license every two years, which is a shorter renewal period than most drivers, which is every four years. They would still be required to take a vision test (and a written test if a driving violation exists) but would not have to take a driving test.
- Drivers aged 87 and older would continue to be required to renew their license annually. These renewals would include a vision test and a driving test. A written exam may be required depending on the individual’s driving record. The law governing this age group would not change under the new law.
