Vella Backs Road Safety and Fairness Act, Creation of Fairer Road Test Requirements for Older Adults

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A plan making its way through Springfield backed by state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, would modernize road test requirements and raise the age in which older adults must take a behind-the-wheel driving test from 79 to 87.

“When you look at the state’s crash statistics, drivers age 75 and older do better than any other range of drivers,” Vella said. “With the backing of Illinois AARP and other advocates, we’re delivering a needed update that reflects real-world data and will make our driving rules fairer for older adult motorists.”

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, Vella sponsored and voted for 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 the 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 – dubbed the Road Safety and Fairness Act – passed the House with bipartisan support and is currently under consideration in the Senate.

For more information, please contact RepDaveVella@gmail.com.