Hoffman Advances ‘Road Safety and Fairness Act’ with Secretary of State

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An initiative from state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to modernize road test requirements and raise the age in which older adults must take a behind-the-wheel driving test from age 79 to age 87 passed the Illinois House Wednesday with bipartisan support.

“With the support of Illinois AARP and other advocates, we’re one step closer to making our driving rules fairer for older adults,” Hoffman said. “Our state’s crash rate data for drivers age 75 and older is better than any other range of drivers, and I’m proud to partner with Secretary of State Giannoulias to deliver responsible updates that reflect this data and align us with the rest of the country.”

According to the Secretary of State, Illinois is the only state in the country that requires a behind-the- wheel driving test for seniors based on age. After hearing from impacted residents and advocates, Hoffman and Giannoulias introduced House Bill 1226 to eliminate the age-based driving test requirement for drivers age 79-86, as well as establish a process for immediate family members to report when they believe a loved one is no longer safe to drive.

Under Hoffman’s measure, drivers age 87 or older, as well as those who possess a commercial driver’s license age 75 or older, would be required to do a driving demonstration in order to maintain their license.

House Bill 1226 – known as the Road Safety and Fairness Act – passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the Illinois Senate for consideration. For more information, please contact
RepJayHoffman@gmail.com.