Washington, IL seniors 79 to 86 no longer need road tests
Illinois changed senior renewal rules July 1: Washington, IL drivers 79 to 86 no longer need a road test, but in-person renewal and vision checks stay.
Washington, IL residents helping an older driver renew should know Illinois changed its senior license rules on July 1. Drivers ages 79 through 86 no longer need a behind-the-wheel test solely because of age.
The Illinois Secretary of State still requires in-person renewal and a vision screening for that age group. Drivers 79 to 80 renew every four years, while drivers 81 to 86 renew every two years. A written test can still be required if a driving record calls for it.
What happens at 87 and older
Drivers 87 and older still renew every year in person and still take both a vision test and a road test.
One important caveat: if a license expired before July 1, 2026 and the driver waited until after that date to renew, the state says a driving test is still required for drivers ages 79 through 86.
For the latest details, check the Illinois Secretary of State’s driver guidance and FAQ before making a DMV trip.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State news release on senior driver road tests
- WTTW / Capitol News Illinois report on the new driving-test rules
- NPR Illinois report on the July 1 senior-driver change
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