I’ll never forget the evening we followed behind my 90 year old dad as he drove through the rain, weaving in and out of his lane. When we got to our destination, my husband gently suggested driving his car home. At that point, dad had been able to renew his drivers license successfully, but his macular degeneration had left him with poor eyesight and he was due for another renewal, which would require a driving test. He voluntarily gave up driving several days later, after realizing he could really hurt someone. It was a tough decision for him to make, since the car had offered a sense of freedom for him.
No one wants to go to the DMV right now despite their claims they have disinfected all the surfaces. But if you have a license that needs to be renewed, your choice is to let it expire, take advantage of an extension or check out the requirements for renewal. After you turn 70, the Department of Motor Vehicles in California starts requiring you to appear in person at the DMV to renew your license. (Other states may have other rules — check that out here. ) California has been extending the period of time needed to renew, but at some point you will have to show up. No internet or online renewals are allowed. When you show up, you have to take a written test, an eye test, get fingerprinted and have a photo taken. The vehicle code gives the DMV the right to require a driving test if you have a history of convictions or collisions, and physicians are required by law to notify the DMV if the physician believes a patient cannot operate a vehicle safely. Family members, friends or law enforcement can also notify the DMV if they feel you cannot drive safely, and in those cases the DMV has a variety of options including requiring you to take a driving test.
The hardest part to me about getting your license renewed, other than the prospect of a driving test, is the written test. The DMV suggests you read the DMV Handbook and the practice tests before you take the test. But believe me, I have studied and studied these practice tests and I always miss at least one or two. If you have missed more than three out of eighteen questions, you have failed the test and have to retake it. Depending on your State, you can retake the test three times. If you fail all three tests, you have to wait 30 days to take it again.
You also have to have a vision test, either via a wall chart or a vision testing machine. You may wear your glasses during the test, but if you do need glasses to read the chart adequately, there will be restrictions on your license. The vision standard is 20/40, and if you don’t meet that, you have to visit a vision specialist and bring that report back to your next appointment.
Giving up a drivers license is a traumatic event. We get so used to having the ability to drive anywhere we want, but as we age, if we are being honest with ourselves, we notice our reaction time or ability to drive at night has changed. With the advent of Lyft or Uber, it has been much easier to get around on a moment’s notice, although the Coronavirus made that more difficult. Staying home is definitely cheaper than owning and running a car or, when the time comes, taking a Lyft or an Uber.
Whatever you do, when your license is ready to renew, check out if you are eligible for an extension. But do NOT wait until the last minute to ask these questions. In case you need a vision re-examination or fail your test, you will eventually have to renew your license if you ever want to drive again!