The US Department of Transportation said that older American drivers aged 70 and above will face new renewal requirements under federal safety law
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!
What is the new drivers license law for seniors?
A post was shared on the social media app X in June 2025 that claimed that anyone 70 and older would be required to undergo routine vision, physical, and cognition tests as part of the driver’s license testing and renewal process. According to Snopes, the since-deleted post said that the changes would be effective July 1, 2025, and they would be launched nationwide.
On July 20, 2025, the Mirror US shared a similar update about the changing road rules in the U.S., elaborating on what it would mean for seniors seeking to renew their license. According to the post, those between the ages of 70 and 80 would be required to renew their licenses in-person every four years, at which time a vision test would be administered.
Drivers between the ages of 81-86 would have to come in every two years to renew their license, at which time they would be subject to a vision and possible cognitive exam. Anyone over the age of 86 would need to come in annually and undergo the same visual and cognitive tests as well as take part in a mandatory road test.
The Mirror US article claimed that this would help detect any signs of cognitive or vision decline that could possibly cause older drivers to be a danger to themselves and others while on the road, it would roll out across the country beginning on August 1, 2025.
Why are these changes happening?
Currently, more than 48 million American people who are 65 or more have a driving license, and it’s expected this figure keeps increasing in the next decades.
For many people, driving is a crucial part of their lives: going shopping, going to a doctor’s appointment, or simply having a social life. However, the older people get, it’s normal to experience natural changes like slower reflexes, sight issues, or memory problems, that could affect road safety.
So, the new rule in the United States is thought to evaluate each driver’s real capacities in a fair way.
New US Driving License Rules by age group
According to Govern Smarter, the new driving license rules set different requirements depending on age:
Ages 70–79: Standard renewal with a mandatory vision and reaction test.
Ages 80–86: Must renew their license in person every 2–4 years.
Ages 87 and above: Annual road test and a medical clearance will also be required.
This tiered system is meant to detect issues early and adjust requirements based on individual ability.
US changes driving license rules for senior citizens: New renewal criteria across these age groupshttps://t.co/rbBPUkWdVc
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) September 18, 2025
What tests may be required?
Older American drivers may face one or more checks, depending on their health and state policies. These checks may include:
Vision tests to confirm safe eyesight.
Cognitive screenings to measure the memory, reaction time, and decision-making of older American drivers.
Road tests for those aged 87+ or if concerns are raised by doctors or family.
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!
Restricted licenses
For those who still drive but with limitations, they will be offered restricted licenses with conditions like:
- Driving only during daylight hours.
- Driving only in local areas.
- Not to use highways.
This way, older adults still have independence without risking road safety.
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