A proposed law would require frequent license testing for drivers over 75, with yearly exams after age 85
A new Michigan bill would require drivers 75+ to pass regular tests to keep their license. Proposed law adds vision, written, and road tests every four years, then yearly after 85. Supporters cite crash data, while critics say age alone shouldn’t determine driving ability.
Renewing one's license is normally a simple process. In Michigan, that might be about to change, but not for everyone. Senior drivers, specifically those aged 75 or above, might soon have to re-take driving tests, with those over 85 to retake the test each year. While the potential safety impact might seem obvious, not everyone is a fan of this idea. Right now, Michigan doesn't require drivers to retake any tests at renewal as long as their record is clean. The proposal, introduced by Senator Rosemary Bayer, would change that by requiring drivers 75 years and older to pass the test every four years. Once again, after a driver turns 85, testing would become annual. Read: Fake News About New Driving License Rules For Drivers 70 And Older Spread Online According to KATV, the bill was inspired in part by a fatal 2024 crash involving a 94-year-old driver. Christopher Thexton, whose wife was killed in the incident, pushed lawmakers to close what he called a gap in the system that allowed elderly drivers to continue driving without additional evaluation. Data indicate that older drivers are technically safer than other age-based groups, but accidents are still increasing. In 2024, drivers aged 65 and over made up about 26 percent of licensed drivers in Michigan but were involved in roughly 20 percent of crashes. That is a 22 percent increase since 2015. Over that same period of time, fatal crashes involving those 65 and older have jumped almost 71 percent. Not Everyone Agrees This Approach Is The Right One That said, some don't love the idea of this law. Groups like AARP have long opposed mandatory testing tied strictly to age. It argues that driving ability varies widely and that health, not birthdays, should determine whether someone keeps their license. Michigan wouldn’t be the first state to tighten rules for older drivers, but it would be among the strictest. Illinois has similar requirements, while several other states shorten renewal periods or require vision tests for seniors without mandating full road exams. The bill has only been introduced so far and still has to move through committee. It has to pass the committee, the full Senate, the House, and then get signed into law if it's to ever take effect. https://youtu.be/iPJY6jBV70Q?si=3ltve3euPyIqrWMD
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