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Renewal

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Renewal

States vary in their approach to license renewal for older drivers. Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia have special provisions in place for older driver’s license renewal. Several states require in-person renewal of a driver’s license in combination with a shorter renewal period for older drivers. In 2012, Maryland extended its license renewal for all drivers from five to eight years; there are currently no special provisions in place for older drivers.

State

Standard Renewal

Age-based Requirements

Illinois

4 years

Every 2 years beginning at 81 years; Annually beginning at 87 years

Iowa

5 years

Every 2 years beginning at 70 years; In-person renewal

Hawaii

8 years

Every 2 years beginning at 72 years

Maryland

8 years

None

New York

8 years

None

Wisconsin

8 years

None

Comparison of Select States License Renewal Frequency 

 

Wisconsin

Proposed legislation requires renewal of motor vehicle operator’s license of persons 75 years old or older: required every 4 years and renewal by mail and electronic means established 
 
 
 

Older Drivers Would Have To Renew Licenses Every 4-Years
December 10, 2013

Wisconsin Editorial Supports SB480

Journal Times editorial: Proposal to test senior drivers’ vision is reasonable

January 7, 2014

 
Virginia
 
The most detailed and comprehensive study of its kind prepared by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to study whether the Commonwealth should adopt additional objective criteria in current license renewal requirements as a means of assessing mature drivers’ continued capability to remain active, safe, independent, and mobile on the road as they age. As a result of this study legislation was introduced in 2014 to address mature driver issues.
 
Mature Drivers Study 
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 
November 2013 
 

Proposed legislation provides for a course in mature driver motor vehicle crash prevention and provides that such course is an option for the court in adjudicating defendants. The bill also lowers the age at which drivers are required to appear before the DMV for renewal from 80 to 75 and requires that licenses issued to persons age 75 or older be valid for no more than five years.
 
 
Track Legislation Here and Here
 
 
 
 
 
Mature driver crash prevention. Provides for a course in mature driver motor vehicle crash prevention and provides that such course is an option for the court in adjudicating defendants. The bill also lowers the age at which drivers are required to appear before the DMV for renewal from 80 to 75 and requires that licenses issued to persons age 75 or older be valid for no more than five years. The bill contains a delayed effective date.
 
 

Maryland
 

National Recommendations

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Federal Recommendations to States

Federal agencies recommend that states improve licensing policies for older drivers. Driver licensing is a state function with no federal oversight. The aging baby boom generation and the results of federally funded research have prompted the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to urge State Departments of Motor Vehicles to develop renewal procedures specifically for older drivers, including:

• Accelerated Renewal Cycles
• In Person Renewals
• Screening Such As Vision Or Road Tests (not routinely required of younger drivers)

NHTSA recommends enhanced training programs for law enforcement officers and health care providers on when and how to refer older drivers to the Medical Advisory Board; and for MVA counter staff to identify cues of possible physical or cognitive impairments that can interfere with a driver’s ability to drive safely. 

In new proposed guidelines, NHTSA recommends that states implement driver-licensing policies to address older driver safety:

·      In person renewal should be required of individual drivers over a specified age that the State determines based on an analysis of their individual crash records.

·      Medical review policies should align with the Driver Fitness Medical Guidelines published by NHTSA and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

Medical providers of all kinds who provide a referral regarding a driver in good faith to the driver licensing authority should be provided immunity from civil liability.