Mature Drivers

Select a new Issue:

The chart below describes the statewide driver licensing law provisions related to older drivers across the country. Use the arrows below the chart to toggle through the states in alphabetical order. To advance slowly, click the single right arrow (>). To jump to the end, click the double arrows (>>). Or use the filter by state feature to jump to a specific state.
 
Scroll down for a summary overall totals of the number of states that have specific provisions.

Laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in March 2023. Last updated in January 2024.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

4 years

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

5 years

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

Until age 60

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

Provisions for Mature Drivers

69 and over: no mail renewal

Provisions for Mature Drivers

60 and over: renewal every 5 years, mail renewal requires passage of vision exam within the prior 3 months 70 and over: no mail renewal

Provisions for Mature Drivers

70 and over: choice of 4- or 8-year renewal

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

4 years

Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

5 years

Provisions for Mature Drivers

69 and over: no mail renewal

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

Until age 60

Provisions for Mature Drivers

60 and over: renewal every 5 years, mail renewal requires passage of vision exam within the prior 3 months 70 and over: no mail renewal

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Provisions for Mature Drivers

70 and over: choice of 4- or 8-year renewal

Mature Drivers

More and more Americans are outliving their ability to drive safely. As a result of impairments in three functions that are important for driving – vision, cognition and motor function – older drivers have a higher crash risk than middle aged adults.

To address this issue, many state driver licensing laws have specific provisions for older drivers.

  • 37 States and the District of Columbia have special provisions for mature drivers. These include: accelerated renewal frequency; restriction of online or mailed renewals; vision test; road test; or reduced or waived renewal fees.

NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on mature driver laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.

Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023. Last updated January 2024.