Illinois Eliminates Driving Test for 350,000 Drivers Aged 79-86

Illinois has removed the mandatory driving test requirement for individuals between 79 and 86 years old, a change that took effect in July and impacts around 350,000 drivers. The reform, championed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, shifts from age-based rules to an assessment of actual driving capability.

The new regulation, introduced by the Road Safety and Equity Act, means drivers aged 79 to 86 are no longer required to take annual driving exams. The mandatory testing age has been raised to 87. However, the Secretary of State's office can still request additional evaluations if concerns arise about a driver's fitness. Written exams may also be required for drivers in this age group if they have specific traffic violations on their record.

According to the statement, about 350,000 drivers in Illinois fall within the 79-86 age range. Before this reform, roughly 55,000 of them underwent annual driving tests. Giannoulias's office stated the goal was to eliminate an "obsolete requirement" based solely on age, asserting that older drivers in Illinois are among the safest on the road.

Data from the state Department of Transportation shows that drivers aged 75 and older had a lower accident rate in 2024 than younger age groups. Under the revised system, some drivers will still need to pass practical driving tests, while others will only require vision tests. Drivers aged 87 and older must still undergo annual in-person renewals, including vision and driving tests.

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Older adults in Illinois have proven to be among the safest drivers on our roads. This law removes an unnecessary burden while preserving strong safeguards to protect everyone who travels our streets.