Starting July 1, 2026, the new rule for senior drivers in Illinois ends the automatic behind-the-wheel road test for most people renewing a license between ages 79 and 86. Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 1226 into law on August 15, 2025, making it Public Act 104-0169 and raising the age at which a road test is mandatory from 79 to 87.1Illinois General Assembly. Bill Status of HB1226 Illinois had been the only state that required a driving test based purely on age.
What Changed for Drivers 79 to 86
Under the old rule, every driver renewing at 79 or older had to pass an actual road test. The new law removes that requirement for drivers 79 through 86 who have clean driving records. You qualify for the exemption if your record is free of traffic violation convictions and free of any offense that would trigger a mandatory license revocation at the time of renewal.2Illinois General Assembly. Full Text of HB1226
If you do have violations on your record, you still skip the road test, but you’ll be asked to pass a written knowledge test in addition to the standard vision screening. The written test covers Illinois traffic laws and road signs. The Secretary of State’s free Rules of the Road Review Course, offered at libraries and senior centers across the state, is a reasonable way to prepare.
Who Still Has to Take a Road Test
Drivers 87 and older must still take the behind-the-wheel road test every time they renew, which happens annually at that age. That part of the law did not change.2Illinois General Assembly. Full Text of HB1226
Drivers 75 and older who hold a commercial driver’s license also still face the road test requirement, regardless of their personal driving record.
How Often You Have to Renew
Illinois shortens the renewal cycle as you age, and in-person renewal becomes mandatory once you turn 75. Online and mail-in renewals aren’t an option after that, even with a spotless record.
- Under 75: four-year cycle, with online or mail renewal possible if you’re eligible.
- 75 to 80: four-year cycle, but you have to renew in person at a Driver Services facility.
- 81 to 86: in-person renewal every two years.3Illinois General Assembly. 625 ILCS 5/6-115 – Illinois Vehicle Code
- 87 and older: in-person renewal every year, including the behind-the-wheel test.3Illinois General Assembly. 625 ILCS 5/6-115 – Illinois Vehicle Code
The shorter cycles at older ages mean you’re never far from your next vision screening, which functions as a built-in safety check.
Vision Screening Still Applies
Every in-person renewal includes a vision screening. The standards are:
- Visual acuity of 20/40 or better using both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.
- Peripheral vision of at least 140 degrees measured with both eyes open.
- If you need glasses or contacts to meet the acuity standard, a restriction goes on your license requiring you to wear them while driving.4Cornell Law School. Illinois Admin Code Title 92, 1030.70 – Driver’s License Testing/Vision Screening
If you’re concerned about the facility’s screening machine, you can submit a Vision Specialist Report completed by a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or physician before your appointment.5Illinois Secretary of State. Medical and Vision Conditions That can help if a well-managed condition might produce a borderline result on the standard test.
Reporting a Driver Who Is No Longer Safe
The new law creates a formal way for family members to raise concerns about a relative whose cognitive or medical decline is affecting their driving. The report is kept confidential, so the driver will not be told who filed it.
A report doesn’t automatically trigger any license action. The Secretary of State’s office reviews the concern and decides what to do, which can range from no action to additional testing, restrictions, suspension, or revocation after a medical review. Possible restrictions include daytime-only driving, specific vehicle modifications, or limits on where you can drive.
Illinois does not require doctors to report patients whose medical conditions might affect driving, but physicians are encouraged to discuss the risks and remind patients of their own duty to notify the Secretary of State’s office if a condition could impair safe driving.
What to Bring to Your Renewal Appointment
Showing up without the right paperwork is one of the most common reasons seniors leave the facility without a renewed license. Bring originals or certified copies; photocopies and phone images are not accepted.6Illinois Secretary of State. Driver’s License/ID Card Renewal Checklist
- Your current Illinois driver’s license, which must be current or expired less than one year.
- One signature document, such as a major brand credit or debit card, Social Security card, Medicare card, or valid U.S. passport.
- Proof of address if yours has changed, such as a bank statement, utility bill, lease agreement, or insurance policy dated within 90 days of your visit.
- Name change documentation if applicable, such as a certified marriage certificate or court order. If your name has changed more than once since your last renewal, bring a document for each step in the chain.