Safe Driving for Older Adults

Gretchen Heuring | ElderThink | 04.06.09

 

Recently, John Breaux was riding his bicycle to pick up trash along a road near where I live. It was his commitment to the community to help in this way. He was about ten feet from the side of the road when Mary Jo Anne Thomas swerved toward him and killed him with her car. Mary Jo has Alzheimer's and is 62. Tragically, her life is over too. >>More


AARP Driver Safety Course

 

Upon completing the AARP Driver Safety Program classroom course or the AARP Driver Safety Online Course, you will receive a course completion certificate.

 

Depending on the state where you live and your insurance company's policies, you may be eligible for an automobile insurance premium reduction or discount.

 

Available in your community. Register online. >>More


AAA Foundation Traffic Safety

SeniorDrivers.org

 

This valuable resource includes videos on Left Turn, 2-Way Stop, Yield, and Merge. >>More


ACT Older Drivers Handbook

Australian

Council on Aging

 

This valuable handbook provides insights, communication tips, plus words that speak directly to older drivers. >>Download PDF


When Dad Should Stop Driving

Carol Sorgen | CNN.com | 01.18.08

 

Marion Somers may be an expert on caring for elderly people, but that didn't mean it was a cinch persuading her father to quit driving.

 

Have transportation alternatives planned before talking with elderly parent.

 

"It was one of the most serious and complicated issues that I've had to deal with," says Somers, author of "Elder Care Made Easier."

 

Taking the keys away from an aging parent means navigating tricky issues of independence and role reversal. But the decision is too serious to ignore.

Drivers over 75 have the second-highest rate, after teenagers, of fatal crashes per mile driven. >>More


 

A Must-Have Book

The Driving Dilemma: The Complete Resource Guide for Older Drivers and Their Families

 

 

 

Driver's License Renewals for Older Persons by State

 

Alabama None
Alaska After 69 must renew in person
Arizona After 70 must renew in person
Arkansas None
California After 69 must renew in person
Colorado After 66 must renew in person unless a licensed physicial or optometrist certifies a passed vision text within 6 months.
Connecticut None
Delaware None
DC After 69 a vision test is required and a reaction text may be required. A statement from a practicing physician certifying physical and mental competency to drive is also required.
Florida After 79 a vision test is required
Georgia After 63 a visiion test is required
Hawaii After 71 renewal is shortened to 2 years
Idaho After 62 renewal is shortened to 4 years
Illinois After 74 a road test is required. After 80 renewal is shortened to 2 years. After 86 renewal is shortened to 1 year.
Indiana After 74 renewal is shortened to 3 years.
Iowa After 69 renewal is shortened to 2 years.
Kansas None
Kentucky After 70 must renew in person and take vision test. Written test may be required.
Louisiana After 69 must renew in person
Maine

After 40 vision test required every second renewal (12 yrs) After 61 vision test required each time and renewal is shortened to 4 years

Maryland After 39 vision test required every renewal (5 yrs)
Massachusetts None (discrimination due to age prohibited)
Michigan None
Minnesota None (discrimination due to age prohibited)
Mississippi After 71 must renew in person and take vision test. Written test may be required.
Missouri After 69 renewal shortened to 3 years
Montana After 74 renewal shortened to 4 years and every other renewal must be in person
Nebraska None
Nevada After 69 a medical report is reqired
New Hampshire After 74 a road test is required
New Jersey None
New Mexico After 74 renewal shortened to 4 years
New York None
North Carolina After 53 renewal shortened to 5 years and not required to parallel park in the road test after 59
North Dakota None
Ohio None
Oklahoma None. Fee is reduced after 61 and waived after 65.
Oregon After 49 vision test required every 8 years
Pennsylvania None
Rhode Island After 74 renewal shortened to 2 years
South Carolina After 64 renewal shortened to 5 years and vision test required
Tennessee After 50 fees reduced and after 64 there is no expiration
Texas After 78 must renew in person and after 84 renewal reduced to 2 years
Utah After 64 vision test required
Vermont None
Virginia After 79 vision test required
Washington None
West Virginia None
Wisconsin None
Wyoming None