From State Rep. Jeff Keicher:
Rep. Keicher, Illinois Secretary of State team up to reduce barriers to driver’s license renewal for older adults
CHICAGO, Ill. – State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) joined Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and other lawmakers at a press conference today to introduce legislation, House Bill 1226, to raise the age for mandatory road tests to 87 for older drivers renewing a driver’s license.
This new bipartisan effort builds upon a proposal Rep. Keicher introduced in 2024 to end the discriminatory practice of requiring behind-the-wheel tests for seniors based on age as the sole factor.
Rep. Keicher is Chief Co-Sponsor of House Bill 1226, which would raise the age for mandatory driving tests for older drivers renewing their license to age 87 (from the current age 79) and create a system for immediate family members to submit a request to the Secretary of State’s Office to review drivers they think have seen cognitive or medical declines that should keep them off the road, regardless of age.
Reports deemed credible could require the driver to take written, vision and behind-the-wheel tests to keep their license. If passed and signed into law, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2026.
“Illinois is the only state in the country that requires road exams based on age,” Rep. Keicher said.
“Together we will be taking long-overdue action to respect our seniors, reduce barriers and annual costs for them to maintain their driving privileges, and see each person as an individual instead of making assumptions about them because of their age.
“I am pleased to work with the Secretary of State and my colleagues across the state to bring about this important change.”
Current law requires drivers who are 79 or 80 to take a behind-the-wheel test to renew their licenses.
From age 81 to 86, they are required to take the test every two years, and every year starting at age 87.
Under Rep. Keicher’s new legislation, drivers age 79 or 80 would have to go to the DMV to renew their license and take a vision test, but not a road test.
Renewals would be required every two years from age 81 to 86.
Road tests would come with annual renewals starting at age 87.
In January 2024 Rep. Keicher filed House Bill 4431 to eliminate the road test requirement for individuals age 75 and older.
Keicher’s bill passed the Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee in April with broad bipartisan support including 48 co-sponsors, among them Republicans and Democrats from every region of Illinois.
The 103rd General Assembly adjourned on January 7 without taking final action on Rep. Keicher’s bill, necessitating the introduction of the new House Bill 1226 supported by the Illinois Secretary of State.
= = = = =
Long time Democrat Jay Hoffman is the lead sponsor this year.
