The Illinois Secretary of State enforces many rules and laws for drivers of all ages and experience levels. However, the state has some special rules and standards for older drivers.
More information about Illinois’s rules can be found below, but some of them have to do with finding and dealing with older drivers who may be dangerous. In particular, Illinois:
- requires drivers age 75 and older to renew their licenses in person
- requires both a vision test and road test for drivers ages 75 and older renewing in person
- requires drivers ages 81 through 86 to renew their license every two years, and those 87 and older to renew annually, and
- accepts requests from physicians and members of law enforcement or the judicial system to conduct an unsafe driver investigation.
Illinois License Renewal Rules for Older Drivers
When older drivers want to update their licenses, they have to follow certain rules. Anyone over 75 years old can not renew by mail.
Drivers between the ages of 21 and 80 get licenses that are good for four years and end on their birthdays.
People between the ages of 81 and 86 have to renew their cards every two years.
Also, drivers aged 87 and up have to renew their cards every year.
The Illinois Secretary of State runs the Super Seniors Program, a mobile, non-mandatory service that helps seniors (74 years or older) update their licenses by teaching them the Rules of the Road and checking their eyesight. The program goes to libraries, senior centers, and park districts.
Vision test is needed every time you repeat. A test will be given for free by licensing staff, or drivers can have one done by a qualified optometrist, ophthalmologist, or doctor, but they must fill out a Vision Specialist Report and do the test within six months of the request to renew.
Written test: Drivers aged 75 and up must take this test every time they refresh their license.
Drivers aged 75 and up must take a road test every time they update their license.
Possible License Restrictions
After giving a person a driving test and talking to them about possible limits, the Secretary of State can put conditions or restrictions on their driver’s license.
Most of the time, older drivers can not drive if they need glasses or corrective contact lenses.
People who live in Illinois in areas with few people can also ask for a restricted license that lets them drive only in certain areas. Talk to a nearby driver’s license office for more information.
How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation in Illinois
In contrast to most state license offices, the Illinois Secretary of State will only take information from police officers about drivers who might be dangerous.
But an Illinois law says that doctors have to tell their patients that they need to tell the Secretary of State about any medical conditions that could make them lose awareness or make it unsafe for them to drive within 10 days of learning about those conditions.
People who need to report medical problems as drivers must also fill out a Medical Report Form every time they renew their licenses.
Illinois Driver Improvement Programs
By taking an education and training class designed just for older drivers, people in Illinois can improve their skills and trust as drivers. Rules of the Road Review Courses are the name of local courses.
How to Get a License Reinstated
In Illinois, you can get information on how to get back a license that has been suspended or taken away by calling the local driver’s license center.
How to Get Parking Placards or License Plates for a Driver with a Disability
If a licensed doctor, advanced practice nurse, optometrist, or physician’s assistant confirms the condition, drivers who have trouble moving around can get parking placards and license plates.
- You can also get the plates and signs if you have:
- bad lung or heart disease
- a determined illness or condition that makes it hard to use the lower limbs
- having to carry gas tanks around
- limited mobility to walk without help or stopping, or
- when you lose or can not use a hand or arm.
- To get a plate or sign for disabled people:
- Fill out and sign the “Persons with Disabilities Certification for Parking Placard/License Plates” form.
- The Medical Eligibility Standards part of the certification should be filled out by a qualified doctor, advanced practice nurse, optometrist, or physician’s assistant.
- Add a $29 fee for a disability plate (placards are already free).
- Send the original form to the address shown on the form.
