Legislation that ends a discriminatory driving test requirement for older Illinois drivers passed with unanimous support in the Senate on Thursday. With the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives in April, House Bill 1226 now heads to the Governor for final action. State Senator Don DeWitte (R- St. Charles) is the Chief Senate Co-Sponsor of the bill.
HB 1226 will eliminate the automatic behind-the-wheel driving test rule for drivers aged 79-87 in Illinois. Currently, drivers aged 79 and 80 must take a driving test whenever their four-year license is due for renewal. For drivers aged 81-86, they must retake the driving test every two years, and after the age of 87, driving tests are required annually.
“Illinois is the only state that still has this kind of antiquated law on the books, and it was a pleasure to work on a bipartisan basis to bring this important legislation across the finish line,” said DeWitte. “I cannot tell you the number of phone calls I received in my office from seniors— some of them in tears— who felt they were being unfairly targeted and discriminated against when they had stellar driving records.”
DeWitte and State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) were the Chief Sponsors of the original legislation to end the discriminatory practice last year, and this year, the two Republicans partnered with Democrat colleagues to expand support for the measure.
Jeff Scott, AARP Illinois Associate Director of Advocacy and Outreach, applauded the bill’s passage and the efforts taken over the last two years to ensure the legislation’s broad support in the Senate and House. “AARP Illinois is profoundly grateful to Senator Don DeWitte for his leadership and commitment to fairness and road safety in championing the Road Safety and Fairness Act. His advocacy has been instrumental in moving this critical legislation forward, offering hope and renewed independence to thousands of older drivers who have been unfairly impacted,” Scott said.
According to DeWitte, the provisions of HB 1226 would bring Illinois’ driving laws in line with senior driving regulations in other states. It includes the following provisions:
- Drivers aged 79 and 80 would still be required to visit a DMV facility if they need to renew their driver’s license and take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
- Drivers between the ages of 81-86 would still be required to visit a DMV facility to renew their license every two years and would have to take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
- Rules for drivers aged 87 and older would remain the same, with a behind-the-wheel driving test and vision test required annually.
“By passing this bill, we are removing an unnecessary burden from millions of motorists who have spotless driving records,” said DeWitte. “I am extremely proud to deliver this ‘win’ to AARP and the older residents of my district.”