Illinois is known for having some of the nation’s strictest requirements for senior driver’s license renewal. However, significant changes are on the horizon for older drivers, with new legislation poised to ease some of the burdens. Here’s a comprehensive overview of current rules and the latest updates affecting seniors.
Current Law: License Renewal Requirements for Seniors
Mandatory Road Test Age: As of 2025, Illinois is the only state requiring a mandatory behind-the-wheel road test for seniors based solely on age.
- Drivers aged 79 and 80 must take a road test when renewing their license.
- Drivers aged 81 to 86 must take a road test every two years.
- Drivers aged 87 and older must take a road test annually.
Renewal Periods:
- Ages 55–80: Every 4 years
- Ages 81–86: Every 2 years
- Age 87+: Every year
Vision and In-Person Requirements: All drivers renewing in these age groups must do so in person and pass a vision test at each renewal.
Proposed Changes: House Bill 1226
Raising the Road Test Age: The Illinois House has unanimously approved House Bill 1226, which would raise the mandatory road test age from 79 to 87.
- If signed into law, drivers would only be required to take a behind-the-wheel test starting at age 87.
- Drivers aged 79–86 would still need to renew in person and pass a vision test, but would not have to take a road test.
Renewal Frequency:
- Ages 79–80: In-person renewal every 4 years (vision test required).
- Ages 81–86: In-person renewal every 2 years (vision test required).
- Age 87+: In-person renewal every year, with a road test and vision test required.
Family Reporting System: The bill introduces a process for immediate family members to notify the Secretary of State’s office if they believe a senior relative is no longer safe to drive. If a report is deemed credible, the driver may be required to take additional written, vision, or road tests, regardless of age.
Implementation Timeline: If passed and signed by the governor, these changes would take effect July 1, 2026.
Rationale and Context
- Safety Data: State data shows that senior drivers (75+) have lower crash rates than any other age group in Illinois, supporting the move to ease age-based testing requirements.
- Fairness and Individual Assessment: The proposed changes aim to treat seniors more fairly and reduce unnecessary barriers, while still allowing for intervention if there are legitimate safety concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Current law requires road tests for license renewal starting at age 79, with increasing frequency as drivers age.
- House Bill 1226 would raise the mandatory road test age to 87, pending approval and implementation in 2026.
- Vision tests and in-person renewals remain required for all seniors.
- Family members will have a formal process to report safety concerns about senior drivers.
Illinois is moving toward easing the license renewal process for seniors by raising the age for mandatory road tests and introducing a family reporting system for safety concerns. Until July 2026, current rules remain in effect, but seniors and their families should stay informed about these important upcoming changes.
Sources:
- https://www.ilsos.gov/services/services_for_seniors/programs.html
- https://repkeicher.com/2025/01/14/rep-keicher-illinois-secretary-of-state-team-up-to-reduce-barriers-to-drivers-license-renewal-for-older-adults/
- https://mblawfirm.com/insights/license-renewals-understanding-the-new-rules-for-senior-drivers/
- https://www.iihs.org/media/3cea10aa-426f-45d7-8ced-9ba5db43e80f/7u0Myw/HLDI%20Research/Bulletins/hldi_bulletin_33.20.pdf