Legislation that ends a discriminatory driving test requirement for older Illinois drivers passed with unanimous support in the Senate last week.

House Bill 1226 will eliminate the automatic behind-the-wheel driving test rule for drivers aged 79-87 in Illinois. Currently, drivers aged 79 and 80 must take a driving test whenever their four-year license is due for renewal. For drivers aged 81-86, they must retake the driving test every two years, and after the age of 87, driving tests are required annually.

The new measure would bring Illinois’ driving laws in line with senior driving regulations in other states. It includes the following provisions:

• Drivers aged 79 and 80 would still be required to visit a DMV facility if they need to renew their driver’s license and take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
• Drivers between the ages of 81-86 would still be required to visit a DMV facility to renew their license every two years and would have to take a vision test (and a written test if they have a driving violation on their record) but would not have to take a behind-the-wheel test.
• Rules for drivers aged 87 and older would remain the same, with a behind-the-wheel driving test and vision test required annually.

The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.