At what age do seniors have to take a driving test in california

Renewal Cycle

5-year renewal cycle (may be mail-in for no more than 2 sequential cycles)

Tests

Vision test and written knowledge test required.

Vision Tests

Minimum visual acuity is 20/200 (best corrected) in at least one eye, as verified by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Bioptic lenses are permitted for driving, but may not be used to meet 20/200 acuity standard.

Special Requirements

No renewal by mail at age 70.

Accelerated Renewal

none

OtherProvisions

At age 70, mail renewal is prohibited; no more than two sequential mail renewals are permitted, regardless of age.

DMV Website

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

Senior Website

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior_top.htm

What to do if you think a Senior should not be driving: Caregiverlist's Safe Driving Checklist

AARP Driver Safety Courses: as car features and driving laws change, this is an effective way to polish up on defensive driving techniques. Visit AARP's website to find a senior driver safety course near you.

If you are having difficulty addressing safe driving with your parents or grandparents or senior loved one, know that you are not the first to have this challenge. We share the humor of South Park with you from this television show's episode, called "Grey Dawn".

Geriatric Care Managers: you may want a third-party senior care professional to assist you with addressing the issue of driving with your senior loved one. Geriatric Care Managers (GCM's) are trained in how to manage issues around aging with seniors and their family members to achieve a positive outcome.

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All... Full Bio →

Written by Feature Writer

Dan Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has been working in his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. He reviews content, ensuring that ex... Full Bio →

Reviewed by Daniel Walker Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Jun 21, 2022

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UPDATED: Jun 21, 2022Fact Checked

Things to Remember

• Seniors must renew their driver’s license in person every five years 
• The DMV may require a driver’s test if there are concerns about a senior driver’s safety
• The DMV may revoke or restrict a driver’s license if the driver can no longer drive safely

When looking at elderly driving laws by state, seniors’ driving tests and regulations vary. In California, there are no special car insurance coverage requirements for seniors or California driving laws prohibiting them from driving after a certain age. 

However, license renewal laws help authorities decide when to restrict or revoke a senior’s driving license to keep everyone on the road safe. 

More: Do Teens Need Auto Insurance if They Have a License but No Car?

Read on to learn more about California driving rules and CA driver’s license age requirements for senior drivers.

• Senior Driver’s License Renewal in California
• Restricted Driver Licenses for Senior Drivers 
• The Final Word on California Driving Laws for Seniors 

Senior Driver’s License Renewal in California

California drivers who are 70 or older must renew their driver’s license in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) every five years. However, due to COVID-19, there is an exception for senior driver’s license renewal in California. Currently, the DMV in California allows eligible senior drivers to renew online instead of in person.

Senior drivers must also complete the following to be eligible for a California senior driver’s license renewal: 

• Vision test. CA DMV tests for seniors include a vision test at every license renewal. Drivers can have the test done at the DMV or get a Report of Vision Examination within six months from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

• Written test. Senior drivers must complete a multiple-choice, 18-question test at the time of renewal. Drivers have three chances to pass and can get up to three questions wrong.
• Possible road test. If there are concerns about a senior driver’s ability to drive safely, the DMV may require the driver to pass a road test.

More: Do I need proof of insurance when buying a used car?

If a senior driver meets all the license renewal requirements, there will be no driving restrictions or revocation. However, in some cases, a senior driver may not be able to drive safely anymore, which would result in denial of license renewal or the issuing of a restricted license. 

However, this can affect insurance rates, so read our five auto insurance buying tips for seniors. The following section will cover when a senior driver may face license revocation or restrictions from the DMV.

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Restricted Driver Licenses for Senior Drivers 

Suppose the DMV has reason to believe a driver no longer can drive safely, which has nothing to do with a California driving age maximum but rather serious health or mental issues. In that case, the DMV may restrict a senior driver’s license. Often, the DMV gets notified with concerns about a senior driver’s ability to drive safely by the driver’s doctor, family, friends, law enforcement, or the driver.

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After a complete examination of a driver’s ability to drive, including a doctor’s health reports or a driving test, the DMV may place the following restrictions on a senior driver’s license:

• Limits on where a driver can go, such as to a grocery store or doctor.
• Requiring the driver to wear corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Requiring modifications to the car, such as outside mirrors or automatic transmission.
• Not allowing drivers to drive on the freeway.
• Not allowing drivers to drive at night.

It’s important to note that the above restrictions can apply to all drivers and aren’t geared explicitly for senior drivers. However, some age-related health conditions may result in senior drivers receiving the restrictions on their license, such as vision degradation.

If senior drivers’ conditions are more severe, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, the DMV may revoke the driver’s license, preventing the seniors from driving altogether.

More: What does a DWI mean?

Another option is that the DMV may also put a senior driver on medical probation when a driver or their doctor must regularly report on the driver’s medical condition. The DMV may also issue a limited-term license to senior drivers, where drivers have to come in every year or so for evaluation to ensure that they can still safely drive and won’t be putting themselves or others at risk. 

The Final Word on California Driving Laws for Seniors 

CA driving rules don’t include any specific laws for senior driving and license renewal other than requiring senior drivers to come in person to renew their driver’s license and complete a vision and written test. Other restrictions and requirements the DMV may place on senior drivers apply to all ages, not just seniors.

As a senior driver, it’s crucial to have good auto insurance coverage in case of an accident. Our free quote comparison tool will help you find your area’s best auto insurance rates.

More: Texas Driving Laws For Seniors

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All... Full Bio →

Written by Rachel Bodine Feature Writer

Dan Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has been working in his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. He reviews content, ensuring that ex... Full Bio →

Reviewed by Daniel Walker Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

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