![]() ![]() You can visit the license renewal procedures state laws webpage external icon on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s website for up-to-date information on in-person license renewal policies, requirements, and laws by state. 1,9 A few states also require written or road tests. 8Īn in-person license renewal requirement for older adults is accompanied by shorter renewal cycles and a vision test in many states. Both staff and older adult drivers were supportive of the policies because they believed the policies had a positive impact on the safety of older adult drivers. 8 One study investigated driver licensing policies (such as in-person renewal, shorter renewal intervals, and vision tests) in four states with relevant policies through discussions with state-level licensing staff and older adult drivers who recently completed the in-person renewal process. Policies designed to identify unsafe older drivers are acceptable to both staff and older adult drivers. 7 However, it is unknown whether the reduction in fatal crashes was due to the removal of unsafe older adult drivers through in-person license renewal or the drivers themselves retiring prematurely from driving instead of renewing their licenses. 6 Another study using 1986–2011 FARS data found lower fatal crash involvement rates for drivers aged 85 and above in states requiring in-person license renewal. 5Ī study using 1985–2000 state-level crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) found that in-person license renewal reduced fatalities among drivers aged 85 and above. 4 A study of Iowa drivers age 70 and older who were renewing their licenses during 2006–2008 found that drivers who were referred for additional testing were older and had more prescription medications and mobility limitations than drivers who were not referred by licensing staff for additional testing. 4 Office staff noted concerns including balance issues and confusion. 3 In an examination of drivers reported as potentially medically unfit to drive during 2001–2005 in Missouri, approximately one quarter were identified by license office staff. According to a 1995 survey of license examiners, in-person renewals allow for observations of and interactions with older adult drivers that can identify potential impairment. 1,3 Effectiveness and Use of In-Person License RenewalĮvidence from several sources suggests that potential driving impairment can be identified through the renewal process. Requiring older adult drivers to appear in person for license renewal helps examiners identify impairments that might interfere with safe driving, an opportunity particularly helpful for older adult drivers whose driving abilities might change between renewals. One of the interventions in MV PICCS is to require that all drivers over age 70 renew their driver’s licenses in person at a department of motor vehicles instead of using mail-in or online renewal. 1 Changes in driving habits, such as increased driving on local roads with more traffic, and fragility as a result of advancing age put older adult drivers at an increased risk for injury or death. 1,2 With advancing age, older adults experience reduced physical and cognitive capabilities and increased use of drowsiness-inducing medications, both of which can influence crash risk. Drivers aged 70 and above have higher fatal crash rates per mile traveled than most other age groups. ![]()
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