SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam is spearheading a measure alongside the Illinois Secretary of State and AARP to reduce barriers seniors face when looking to renew their driver’s licenses.

“Our senior drivers are proven to be the safest drivers on the road, yet they are continuously burdened with some of the strictest driving test requirements in the nation,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We need to ensure that processes, such as renewing a license, continue to be accessible to all, especially for those who pose the least amount of risk to other drivers.”

In 2022, Villivalam spearheaded a measure that instructed the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to conduct a study on age-related changes which might affect safe driving. This study concluded that Illinois seniors are among the safest drivers on the road and raising the age requirement for the senior driving test has benefited seniors and reduced wait times at driver services facilities.

Building upon this study, the measure would raise the age for mandatory, in-person renewals for driver’s licenses from 75 to 79. It would also raise the driving test requirement from age 79 to 87, or 75 and older if the individual holds a commercial driver’s license, to demonstrate their ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Villivalam’s bill would also expand the list of individuals who may submit information to the Secretary of State relative to the medical condition of a driver, if the driver’s condition interferes with their ability to safely operate a vehicle, to include immediate family members such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or child.

“This measure will align Illinois’ senior driving standards with the rest of the nation while increasing safeguards so we continue to demonstrate leadership in road safety,” Villivalam said. “It’s time to adjust this unnecessary and burdensome requirement unfairly placed on our state’s safest drivers.”

House Bill 1226 passed the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday.