Opinion: Older adult drivers should be required to retake the road test

As the population ages, the question of when seniors should stop driving becomes increasingly important for safety. In 2020, nearly 48 million people aged 65 and older held a driver’s license, and while older adults aren’t the most likely to cause accidents, they face higher risks due to age-related challenges. That year, nearly 7,500 seniors died in crashes, and almost 200,000 were injured.

Currently, there is no federal law specifying an age to stop driving, but states have different rules for license renewal. For example, Florida requires older drivers to renew their licenses more frequently, and Maine mandates more frequent renewals for those over 65.

However, beyond renewal periods, there’s a need for better testing, particularly for vision and road skills. Only a few states require vision tests for older drivers, and only one state mandates a road test for drivers over a certain age. Regular retesting could help assess seniors’ driving abilities, ensuring their safety and that of others.

The goal isn’t to discriminate against seniors but to ensure that those whose abilities may have declined can continue to drive safely. Some suggest that retesting should be required, not based on age, but rather on the individual’s ability to drive safely.