Retesting Elderly Drivers

I'm going to be 63 next month, and the DMV wants me to take another eye exam. My prescription hasn't changed in years. Why are they requiring me to do this?

As people age, the body and mind change in ways that can directly impact one’s reaction time, awareness, and vision while driving. For this reason, many states have begun retesting seniors for driver’s license renewal. Whereas younger drivers can renew their licenses in minutes upon paying a fee, elderly drivers have a few more hoops to jump through in order to qualify for renewal. We’ll discuss what the retesting process usually entails and explain the reasoning behind it in this post.

Typical Testing Procedures

The retesting requirements for senior drivers will vary by state. Generally, the elderly driver is required to visit a driver’s license office in person, where he/she would take a driving test and/or a vision test. Some states have laws that permit licensing personnel to request that a driver undergo a psychological or physical exam in order to qualify for renewal.

Why Retest Seniors?

The primary reasons for retesting seniors upon request for license renewal include:

• Safety. Drivers with physical or cognitive impairments that impede their ability to drive safely put everyone on the road in jeopardy. The safety of the public is the strongest argument for retesting elderly drivers. Liability is also an issue. If an injured person can prove that the DMV’s failure to test a senior’s fitness to drive caused his/her injuries, the injured party could then sue the department.
• Evolving traffic laws. Traffic laws are not stagnant; they change on a fairly regular basis. All drivers, not just seniors, need to stay apprised of the most recent driving laws to improve compliance. Retesting affords an opportunity to ensure that the drivers applying for renewal are aware of any important changes in traffic laws.
• Health conditions. Law enforcement officers can request that the DMV retest any driver. Similarly, your physician must report any conditions that may affect your driving to the DMV. Friends and family members are also expected to divulge any concerns they have about a senior’s fitness to drive. If the DMV receives such a report, the driver in question must retake the driving test in order to retain his/her license. The health conditions that citizens must report to the DMV are listed below.

• Cataracts
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
• Muscle degeneration

Getting Ready for a Retest

Seniors who would like to prepare for an upcoming retest can request materials from their local DMV or driver’s license office to brush up on current traffic laws and safety guidelines. If you must submit to a driving test as part of your renewal, you might want to find a professional driving instructor who can assess your fitness as a driver before the real test. The instructor’s recommendations can help you correct any problem areas before your renewal date arrives.