Will You Have to Retake Your Driving Test? What Retirees Must Know About State DMV Rules

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Choosing where to spend your golden years involves more than just calculating tax rates and climate; it’s about maintaining your mobility and independence. While a driver’s license often feels like a permanent rite of passage, many states introduce new hurdles for older adults, from mandatory vision screenings to actual behind-the-wheel re-evaluations.

Most states have one or more driver’s license renewal provisions specific to older drivers, like shorter renewal cycles, required vision or road testing, and in-person renewal rather than online renewal or by mail. The ages at which these additional requirements apply vary by state and can be found in the tables below.

As you look toward retirement, understanding the "milestone" ages — such as 62, 70, or 75 — at which your home or adopted state may require a return to the DMV can help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure that you're never caught off guard by a surprise expiration.

States Requiring a Road (Driving) Test

Currently, Illinois is the only state that broadly mandates a behind-the-wheel driving test based specifically on age. Illinois drivers aged 79 and older are required to pass a behind-the-wheel test to renew their licenses. However, this rule is on its way out.

As of July 1, 2026, mandatory age-based road tests for drivers aged 79-86 will be eliminated, following the passage of the Road Safety and Fairness Act (HB 1226). From that point on, the annual road test requirement will begin at age 87.

Rather than requiring road tests, most states mandate some combination of in-person renewals and vision tests for older drivers.

States with mandatory vision tests (age-specific)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You don't need perfect vision to drive, but your vision must meet a basic standard, which is why most state DMVs use vision tests. A 2018 study titled "Self-reported Eyeglass Use by US Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 65 Years or Older" found that approximately 40.5 million beneficiaries used eyeglasses for either distance or near vision correction. (In most cases, Medicare does not cover vision tests, corrective glasses, or contact lenses).

Only seven states — Alabama, Connecticut, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Vermont — do not require a vision test at renewal for any drivers.

Meanwhile, 19 states require vision testing of older drivers at every renewal, beginning at varying ages ranging from 40 years (Maine and Maryland) up to 80 years (Florida). And 24 states and the District of Columbia require vision tests of all drivers at every renewal, every other renewal, or at a set period.

Before you make an appointment for a vision test at your local DMV, check to see if you can skip the line. Many states now allow you to have your eye doctor fill out a vision report form in advance of your appointment to renew your license. In some cases, your eye care professional can report information to the authorities or an online registry.

If you don't see your state's name on this list, that means the rules for how often you must take an eye test to renew your license are the same for all drivers, regardless of age.

State	Age/How often	State	Age/How often
Alaska	69+ Must pass at every renewal.	Arkansas	65+ Must pass at every other renewal.
California	70+ Must pass at every renewal.	Florida	80+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.
Illinois	79+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal (effective 07/01/26).	Indiana	75+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal
Iowa	70+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.	Louisiana	70+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.
Maine	62+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal. (And, first renewal after 40.)	Maryland	40+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.
Massachusetts	75+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.	Nebraska	72+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.
Nevada	71+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.	New Mexico	75+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.
Ohio	65+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.	Oregon	50+ if renewing in person.
South Dakota	65+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.	Texas	79+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.
Utah	65+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal.	Virginia	75+ Must pass a vision test at every renewal

States with shorter renewal cycles

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rather than requiring a new road test, many states simply "check in" more often by shortening the time between renewals. For convenience, some states allow drivers to choose a shorter renewal period after reaching a certain age.

Some states (18) cap the age at which a person can renew a license online or by mail and instead require in-person license renewals, beginning as young as age 62 in Maine and as late as age 79 in Texas. In stark contrast, six states, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, do not offer mail or online renewals regardless of the driver’s age.

If you don't see your state's name on this list, that means the rules for renewing a license or eligibility to renew by mail or online do not change regardless of age.

State renewal periods and if they offer renewals by mail or online

State	Renewal interval	Mail or online renewal permitted?	State	Renewal interval	Mail or online renewal permitted?
Alaska	everyone- 5 years	not permitted at age 69 and older	Arizona	60+, 5 years	no online renewal for anyone
Arkansas	people 70+ can choose to renew for 4 or 8 years	no online renewal for anyone	California	everyone- 5 years	not permitted at age 70 and older without vision test; not permitted at age 80 and older
Connecticut	65+ can choose to renew for 2 or 8 years	both, every other renewal	District of Columbia	everyone- 8 years	not permitted at age 70 and older
Florida	80+, every 6 years	both, every other renewal	Hawaii	72+, every 2 years	both, limited to 2 consecutive renewals, but must appear in person at least every 16 years
Idaho	63+, every 2 years	not permitted at age 70 and older	Illinois	69-80, 4 years; 81-86, 2 years; 87 and older, 1 year (effective 07/01/27)	not permitted at age 79 and older (effective 07/01/26)
Indiana	3 years for people aged 75-84: 2 years for people age 85+	both, every other renewal	Iowa	78+, every 2 years	not permitted at age 70 and older
Kansas	65+, every 4 years	not permitted at age 65 and older	Louisiana	everyone- every 6 years	not permitted at age 70 and older
Maine	65+, every 4 years	not permitted at age 62 and older	Massachusetts	everyone- every 5 years	not permitted at age 75 and older
Missouri	70+, every 3 years	no online renewal for anyone	Montana	75+, every 4 years	both, every other renewal
Nebraska	everyone- 5 years	not permitted at age 72 and older	Nevada	65+, 4 years	both, every other renewal for people 65 and older
New Jersey	70+, can choose to renew 2 or 4 years	both	North Carolina	66+, 5 years	online, every other renewal
North Dakota	78 and older, 4 years	not permitted at age 70 and older	Ohio	65+, 4 years	not permitted at age 65 and older
Pennsylvania	65 + can choose to renew for 2 years or 4 years	both	Rhode Island	75+, 2 years	online, every other renewal
Texas	79-84 are issued 8-year licenses. At 85+, you must renew every 2 years.	not permitted at age 79 and older
Virginia	75+, 5 years	not permitted 75 and older
Washington	can choose to renew for 6 or 8 years	not permitted 70 and older

Staying behind the wheel

Ultimately, a little preparation goes a long way in navigating these age-related driving requirements. If you are considering a move to a new state for retirement, take a moment to look beyond the housing market and local amenities to see how the DMV handles senior renewals.

Understanding these regulations early allows you to integrate vision, health and mobility planning into your broader retirement strategy, ensuring that you remain in the driver's seat — both literally and figuratively — for years to come.