How Often Senior Drivers Must Take a License Test

_{August 14, 2025 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Education}

How often do senior drivers have to take a license test? Learn how frequently senior drivers are required to take a license test. This guide outlines age-specific regulations, testing intervals, and tips for maintaining driving eligibility safely.

Table of Contents

How often do senior drivers have to take a license test?

The frequency at which senior drivers must take a license test depends on the state or country where they are licensed. Generally:

Vision Tests: Most U.S. states require drivers over a certain age (commonly 65 or 70) to pass a vision test every renewal period.
Written or Knowledge Tests: Some states may require older drivers to retake written or knowledge tests periodically, though this is less common.
Driving/Skill Tests: A few states require on-road driving tests for senior drivers at specific ages or if there are concerns about driving ability.
Renewal Intervals: Many states shorten the license renewal period for seniors. For example, instead of renewing every 8 years, seniors might need to renew every 4–6 years.

Example:

In California, drivers aged 70+ must renew in person every 5 years and pass a vision test.
In Florida, drivers 80+ must renew in person and pass a vision test every 6 years.

So, while there’s usually no automatic full driving test every year, seniors often have more frequent renewals and vision checks.

Here's a state-by-state overview of senior driver license renewal requirements in the U.S., focusing on age-based renewal intervals, vision testing, and in-person renewal mandates. Please note that this information is based on the latest available data and may be subject to change.Life Lanes+3ElderLawAnswers+3Mandelbaum Barrett PC+3

Senior Driver License Renewal Requirements by State

State	Age 70+ Renewal Interval	Vision Test	In-Person Renewal Required	Notes
Alabama	4 or 8 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Alaska	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Arizona	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Arkansas	4 or 8 years	No	No	Online renewal available
California	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Colorado	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Connecticut	2 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Delaware	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Florida	6 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Georgia	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Hawaii	2 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Idaho	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Illinois	2 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Indiana	3 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Iowa	2 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Kansas	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Kentucky	4 or 8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Louisiana	6 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Maine	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Maryland	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Massachusetts	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Michigan	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Minnesota	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Mississippi	4 or 8 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Missouri	3 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Montana	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Nebraska	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Nevada	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
New Hampshire	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
New Jersey	2 or 4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
New Mexico	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
New York	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
North Carolina	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
North Dakota	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Ohio	4 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Oklahoma	4 or 8 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Oregon	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Pennsylvania	2 or 4 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Rhode Island	2 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
South Carolina	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
South Dakota	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Tennessee	8 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Texas	2 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Utah	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Vermont	2 or 4 years	No	No	Online renewal available
Virginia	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Washington	6 or 8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
West Virginia	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Wisconsin	8 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required
Wyoming	5 years	Yes	Yes	Vision test required

Key Observations

Vision Tests: Most states require senior drivers to undergo vision tests during license renewal.
In-Person Renewals: A significant number of states mandate in-person renewals for drivers aged 70 and above.
Online Renewal Availability: Some states allow online renewals for seniors, while others do not.

Specific Information for Washington State

In Washington, drivers aged 70 and older must renew their licenses in person at a licensing office. This includes passing a vision screening and possibly taking a new photo. Online renewal is not permitted for drivers in this age group

How often are senior drivers required to renew their license?

The renewal frequency for senior drivers varies by state and often depends on age. While some states have the same renewal period for all drivers, many shorten the renewal cycle for older drivers. For example, in Arizona, drivers age 60 and older must renew every 5 years, compared to 12 years for younger drivers. In Florida, a Class E license must be renewed every 8 years for drivers under 80, but every 6 years for those 80 and older.

Do all states have the same license renewal requirements for seniors?

No, license renewal requirements for senior drivers are not uniform across all states. Each state has its own specific regulations regarding renewal frequency, required tests, and whether renewal can be done online, by mail, or must be done in person. Some states, like Illinois, require a road test for drivers over a certain age, while others have no such requirement.

At what age do special requirements for driver's license renewal begin?

The age at which special requirements begin varies greatly by state. There is no single age that applies nationwide. For example, special requirements may start as early as 60 in some states (like Arizona) or as late as 80 in others (like Florida).

What are the requirements for renewing a driver's license for drivers 70 and older?

For drivers 70 and older, common requirements include:

In-person renewal: Many states, such as California, Idaho, and Washington, require drivers in this age group to renew their license in person.
Vision tests: A vision test is frequently required at every renewal for drivers 70 and older.
Shorter renewal periods: The license renewal period is often shortened for this age group. For example, in Missouri, drivers over 70 must renew their license every 3 years.
Additional testing: Some states may require additional tests, such as a knowledge or road test. For instance, in Illinois, drivers 75 and older must take a road test.

Is an in-person test always required for senior drivers?

An in-person test is not always required, but it is much more common for senior drivers. Many states mandate an in-person visit for renewal at a certain age, often requiring a vision test at the time of renewal. While some states allow older drivers to submit a vision report from their own doctor to renew online, others, like California for drivers 80 and older, do not permit online or mail-in renewals. The requirements for an in-person test, particularly a road test, vary widely by state.