SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois seniors, listen up. A state law taking effect July 1 will raise the mandatory driving test age from 79 to 87. This was one of the most popular plans that passed out of the Capitol in 2025.

Beginning next month, drivers 79 and older will be required to renew their license, but they will not have to take a driver's test for the renewal process. Anyone 75 or older with a commercial license will still need to take a driver's test to keep driving for work.

Democrats and Republicans said this is one of the biggest issues for Illinois seniors.

"When was the last time you saw a senior citizen gunning it past you checking her social media going 100 miles an hour?" asked Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. "I mean, the data and anecdotally the evidence bears out that senior citizens tend to be safe drivers."

The law gives people the ability to report their senior family members to the Secretary of State's office if they're suffering from a severe illness like dementia, have impaired vision, or dangerous driving behaviors. 

Concerned family members will fill out a form and send it to the medical board for review. The board could then ask the driver to provide them with medical documents within 30 days.

"We have had a persistent issue with discriminating against older folks in this state," said Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). "This bill goes part of the way towards resolving that, but we have further to go."

Illinois has been the only state since 2011 to require seniors to take their behind-the-wheel skills test regularly.

"The crash rate for Illinois drivers 75 or older is lower than every other age range," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "Drivers 75 and older were involved in fewer fatal crashes than any other age group." 

The Secretary of State's office has sent letters to senior drivers whose licenses are up for renewal so they understand the new law. 

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