Senior driving test age change bill passes out of House, heads to Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House unanimously passed a bill Wednesday to raise the mandatory senior drivers test age from 75 to 87.

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

Sponsors said older drivers are some of the safest people out on the road.

"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."

This legislation also 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 and should not drive. Concerned family members would fill out a form and send it to the medical board for review. The board could then ask the senior driver to provide them with medical documents within 30 days.

Democrats and Republicans have frequently said this is one of the biggest issues for seniors in their districts. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is championing the effort as the House Bill 1226 moves to the Senate.

"Age alone does not necessarily determine if someone should or should not have a drivers license," Giannoulias said. "I know plenty of people who are 87 and above who are great drivers. I know plenty of people that are younger than me who are terrible drivers. Driving ability and medical health should serve as the main determining factors."