The Takeaway
- That viral post about a federal law for drivers over 70? It’s false.
- Some states — like California and Illinois — have adjusted their senior-driver renewal laws.
- Most changes focus on safety screenings like vision tests, not cognitive exams.
- Renewal rules still vary state-by-state, not nationwide.
- Seniors should verify requirements only through their state DMV website, not social media.
It started, as so many modern rumors do, with a Facebook post (don't they all? :-]). Smart Senior Daily's already written about one new scamm'y drivers license rule and now there's another, a variation on that theme.
“New federal driving license rules for Americans over age 70 take effect November 1, 2025,” it warned. The message listed “mandatory medical screenings,” “refresher driving courses,” and “in-person renewals only.”
Sounds official, right? But there’s one problem: There is no such federal rule. None. But there are some changes on the state level.
How the rumor spread
Fact-checkers at Snopes and other watchdogs say the post has circulated for months, likely recycled from older chain emails. It preys on two things: fear and confusion.
“Older adults already worry about losing their independence,” explains transportation advocate Julie Lee of AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety, who’s studied aging and mobility. “When a message like that hits their inbox, they assume it must be real — and scammers know it.”
The fake post has since been used to sell “driver-safety courses” and “medical clearance kits” that aren’t required anywhere.
What’s really changing — state by state
While Capitol Hill hasn’t issued any national rule, some states have made tweaks aimed at balancing safety and fairness:
Drivers age 70 + must renew in person and take a vision test. As of Oct 2024, the written test was dropped for drivers with clean records.
Pro Tip: Make an appointment — walk-ins for seniors are limited at many DMV offices.
Until July 2026, drivers 75 + must take a road test at renewal. That requirement will rise to 87 +, reducing automatic retests for most older adults.
Pro Tip: If you’ve had no moving violations in 4 years, your renewal is usually quick and test-free.
All drivers age 80 + must pass a vision screening for each renewal, which can often be completed by a doctor’s report instead of a DMV visit.
Pro Tip: Bring a completed eye-exam form (HSMV 72010) from your optometrist to save a trip.
Drivers may renew online, by mail, or in person. No automatic retesting for age alone, but a vision screening is required every 8 years.
Pro Tip: If your renewal notice lists a medical review, call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet before scheduling.
No mandatory age-based retests, but all renewals require a vision check. The state encourages voluntary medical reporting for conditions affecting driving.
Pro Tip: Vision exams at DMV kiosks can be done with glasses or contacts — just bring them.
Drivers 79 + must renew in person every 6 years (5 years after 85) and pass a vision test; no written or road test unless requested by DPS.
Pro Tip: Some DPS offices offer early-morning senior-only lines — ask when booking.
Each state’s DMV sets its own policies, often in consultation with local safety boards and medical review units.
How to tell fact from fiction
If a message about driver-license “rule changes” tells you to:
- Click a link to register early,
- Pay for a safety certificate, or
- Provide personal info (Social Security number, license ID, or payment),
…it’s not news — it’s phishing.
To verify anything license-related:
- Visit your state DMV’s official website (for Kentucky, that’s drive.ky.gov).
- Check the “Renewal” or “Senior Drivers” sections.
- Call or email the DMV directly if you’re unsure — but only through official contact info listed on that site.
Here's a list of each state's DMV websites:
Official State Driver’s License Agency Links (A–Z)
(All links go to official “.gov” domains.)
Alabama – https://www.alea.gov
Alaska – https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv
Arizona – https://azdot.gov/mvd
Arkansas – https://portal.arkansas.gov/agency/dfa
California – https://www.dmv.ca.gov
Colorado – https://dmv.colorado.gov
Connecticut – https://portal.ct.gov/dmv
Delaware – https://www.dmv.de.gov
District of Columbia – https://dmv.dc.gov
Florida – https://www.flhsmv.gov
Georgia – https://dds.georgia.gov
Hawaii – https://hidot.hawaii.gov
Idaho – https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv
Illinois – https://www.ilsos.gov
Indiana – https://www.in.gov/bmv
Iowa – https://iowadot.gov/mvd
Kansas – https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html
Kentucky – https://drive.ky.gov
Louisiana – https://www.expresslane.org
Maine – https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv
Maryland – https://mva.maryland.gov
Massachusetts – https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles
Michigan – https://www.michigan.gov/sos
Minnesota – https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs
Mississippi – https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov
Missouri – https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license
Montana – https://dojmt.gov/driving
Nebraska – https://dmv.nebraska.gov
Nevada – https://dmv.nv.gov
New Hampshire – https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv
New Jersey – https://www.state.nj.us/mvc
New Mexico – https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov
New York – https://dmv.ny.gov
North Carolina – https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv
North Dakota – https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/driverslicense
Ohio – https://www.bmv.ohio.gov
Oklahoma – https://oklahoma.gov/dps
Oregon – https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv
Pennsylvania – https://www.dmv.pa.gov
Rhode Island – https://dmv.ri.gov
South Carolina – https://www.scdmvonline.com
South Dakota – https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing
Tennessee – https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services.html
Texas – https://www.dps.texas.gov
Utah – https://dld.utah.gov
Vermont – https://dmv.vermont.gov
Virginia – https://www.dmv.virginia.gov
Washington – https://www.dol.wa.gov
West Virginia – https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV
Wisconsin – https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/DMV/default.aspx
Wyoming – https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/driver_license_records.html
The bottom line
Federal regulators aren’t forcing anyone over 70 to stand in line or take reaction-time tests. But a few states are fine-tuning their renewal systems — some tightening, some easing — to match today’s longer, healthier lifespans.
So if you see a scary post about “new federal driver rules,” feel free to roll your eyes, not your car.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Licensing rules vary by state and may change without notice. Always confirm requirements through your official state DMV or transportation department before taking action.
