Gill Backs Secretary of State Effort to Update Senior Driving Test Rules

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, is joining an effort led by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to update road test requirements and raise the age in which older adults must take a behind-the-wheel driving test from age 79 to 87.

“This update would bring us in greater alignment with standards across the country, and would reflect our state’s crash date which indicates the crash rate for drivers age 75 and older is lower than any other age range,” Gill said. “Our existing practices are unusually restrictive, which is why we should pursue more reasonable rules that better respect drivers while still maintaining necessary safeguards.”

Gill is cosponsoring House Bill 1226 which would eliminate the age-based driving requirement for drivers age 79-86, as well as create 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.

According to the Secretary of State, Illinois is the only state that requires a behind-the-wheel test for seniors based on age.

Additional information from the Secretary of State’s office on the proposal can be found at https://www.ilsos.gov/news/2025/january/250114d1.pdf.

“We should not disproportionately hassle older adult drivers, especially when there’s clear data,” Gill said. “Let’s choose to work together to make our roads safer with responsible, proven strategies.”

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