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VirginiaM835501
Contributor ⭐
October 22, 2026
Question

Illinois driver licenses

I am 85 years old and still in command of all of my senses.  And yet the state of  Illinois will require me to take a full driving test in order to renew my license in another year. I have passed  these stupid driving tests every year for the past six,  and I don’t see any legitimate reason that  I am required to take them.  People in my  demographic have many fewer accidents than do those in their teens and twenties, and yet they can renew their licenses ONLINE!

AARP’s “Safe Driver” classes do nothing for me!  I know how to drive a car (manual transmission even). Why won’t AARP bring some pressure on Illinois to stop discriminating on the basis of old age???

    4 replies

    SereneSeagull
    SereneSeagull
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    October 23, 2026

    ​@VirginiaM835501 , I’m glad you are obviously very active and have a strong command of things.  I actually think all states should do this, and I don’t take it personally, I take it as a matter of safety for everyone, including the driver.  
     

        Since you are obviously a capable person, I would think you wouldn’t need to worry or feel slighted about it, since you’ll pass.  The amount of seniors I hear about in the news with accidents, when they have been at fault, tends to be where they’ve hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, getting confused.  Just the other day up the road, a senior drove through a building, almost missed my friend’s husband inside. 

    SummerOnTheWay1
    SummerOnTheWay1
    October 22, 2026

    Hi Virginia ​@VirginiaM835501 , as a senior myself, I understand what you are saying. But keep in mind that alot of us do have issues with dementia & other issues that "may" cause an accident. Wow, I am impressed you are still driving. I am 68 & dreading when the state of Virginia takes away my license. I know of one senior so far here who did. She was in her 80's too. Her doctor made her stop driving. Dementia & hip issues. Whereas another senior also in her 80's just passed her driver's testing. To be honest, I hope I will be able to pass the test. Take care, Nicole!

    VirginiaM835501Author
    Contributor ⭐
    October 22, 2026

    I think it’s quite reasonable when a driver’s license  is removed because of a doctor’s diagnosis of physical or mental disability.  My sister-in-law lost her license because of an diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  But that is quite different from assuming that I cannot drive safely just because of  my age!!

      SummerOnTheWay1
      SummerOnTheWay1
      October 22, 2026

      Virginia ​@VirginiaM835501 , I am probably wrong, but maybe they are concerned about our "failing" eyesight more than anything else.  Take care, Nicole!

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