A big change is coming to Illinois, especially for older drivers. Currently, seniors in Illinois must retake a road test at age 79 to renew their license. However, with the new Road Safety & Fairness Act, that age limit will increase to 87 starting July 1, 2026.
Why the change? The goal is to support independence among senior citizens, giving them the ability to continue driving safely for longer without the burden of frequent testing. Illinois is known for having some of the strictest license renewal rules for older drivers, and this law is a significant update that balances safety with freedom.
New changes are coming to Illinois driving laws, especially for older drivers, as part of a major effort to make the roads safer while also removing age-based rules that many saw as outdated or unfair. The new law, called the Road Safety & Fairness Act (HB 1226), was recently signed by Governor JB Pritzker and is set to take effect from July 1, 2026.
Big Changes for Senior Drivers in Illinois
For decades, Illinois has been the only state in the U.S. that required seniors to take a behind-the-wheel driving test based solely on their age. But that will soon change.
Here’s what’s new under the Road Safety & Fairness Act:
- The age for mandatory road tests has increased from 79 to 87.
- Seniors will still need to renew their licenses more frequently and take vision tests, but most will no longer need to retake the driving test unless required due to a violation or health concerns.
- Only drivers aged 87 and older will need to take a driving test every year.
Updated License Renewal Rules for Seniors
To make things easier to understand, here’s a quick summary of how license renewal will work under the new law:
| Age | Renewal Frequency | Online or In-Person | Vision Test | Driving Test | What’s Changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 79 | Every 4 years | Online | Yes | No | No changes |
| 79–80 | Every 4 years | In-person | Yes | No | Driving test removed |
| 81–86 | Every 2 years | In-person | Yes | No | Driving test removed, shorter cycle |
| 87+ | Every year | In-person | Yes | Yes | No changes |
Why This Law Matters
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, older drivers are not the biggest risk on the road. In 2023, crash data showed that drivers aged 75 and older had a lower crash rate than any age group between 16 and 74. This data helped influence lawmakers to rethink how driving ability should be judged.
Instead of using age as the main factor, the new law focuses more on medical conditions and driving history.
Family Members Can Now Report Unsafe Drivers
Another major change introduced by the law is a new reporting system. For the first time, immediate family members in Illinois will be allowed to report concerns if they believe a loved one has medical or cognitive issues that make them unsafe to drive.
This makes Illinois one of the last states to adopt such a system, joining 45 other states that already allow this kind of reporting.
Support from Leaders and Seniors
The law received strong bipartisan support:
- Over 70% of lawmakers co-sponsored the bill
- Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias called the law “common-sense” and “fair”
- AARP Illinois, which represents 1.7 million members in the state, praised the law for removing “discriminatory practices” and respecting “individual ability over age”
Many seniors also spoke out during the lawmaking process, sharing stories of how they felt unfairly targeted even with perfect driving records. Lawmakers said their voices played a huge role in getting this law passed.
Illinois is now aligning its driving laws with the rest of the country by removing strict, age-based driving tests and focusing more on safety and fairness. With real data showing older drivers are generally safe, and new ways for families to report concerns, the Road Safety & Fairness Act balances independence for seniors with safety on the roads.
If you’re a senior driver in Illinois, this is good news—it means fewer tests and more respect for your years of safe driving, while still protecting the public through smart safeguards.
FAQ:
Q1. When does the new Illinois driving law take effect?
The Road Safety & Fairness Act will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Q2. What is the new age requirement for a road test in Illinois?
Only drivers aged 87 and above will need to take a road test. Previously, this was required starting at age 79.
Q3. Do seniors still need to go to the DMV in person?
Yes, seniors 79 and older must still renew their license in person, with vision tests and sometimes written tests, depending on driving records.
Q4. Can family members report unsafe drivers now?
Yes. The new law allows immediate relatives to report cognitive or medical concerns to the state for review.
Q5. Why was this change made?
Crash data shows older drivers have lower accident rates than younger drivers. The law aims to remove unfair, age-based rules while keeping roads safe.
