What Age Is Too Old To Drive In Texas?

Getting your license renewed is generally a pretty simple procedure. Texas will review your driving record, and if you don’t have suspensions or revocations, your new license will be issued. Most states require renewal applicants to appear in person and to pass a vision test, though some allow renewal electronically or by mail.

In the state of Texas the length of a regular renewal is every six years. There is no way to check whether the driver has caused motor vehicle accidents. It would be great if there was, as car wrecks are a top killer of Texans every year.

Renewal procedures for older drivers in Texas, state that mail or electronic renewal is not available to people 79 or over and if you are over the age of 85, you must renew your license every two years. They may even require you to take vision and road tests that are not routinely required of younger drivers. These special renewal procedures for older drivers can apply in addition to the license renewal procedures that exist in all states for dealing with licensed drivers of any age who no longer meet the standards for licensure because of physical or mental infirmities.

Too Old To Drive?

If a person's continued fitness to drive is in doubt (due to the person's demeanor at renewal or because of a history of crashes or violations and reports by physicians or police), Texas licensing agencies may require renewal applicants to undergo physical or mental examinations or retake the standard licensing tests (vision, written and road). In cases of doubt, states typically have medical review boards composed of health care professionals who advise on licensing standards and on individual cases.

After reviewing a person's fitness to drive, Texas DMV may allow the person to retain the license or it may refuse to renew it. It can also suspend, revoke or restrict the license. Typical restrictions include prohibiting nighttime driving, requiring the vehicle to have additional mirrors, restricting driving to specified places or limiting how far an older person can drive from home.

Though motorists older than the age of 70 drive far less frequently than other age groups, they already account for a large proportion of accident fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The death rate per mile traveled for drivers over 85 is four times that of the 30-59 age group. Additionally, more than one in five licensed drivers will be 65 or older within the next 15 years compared to 1 in 8 today. According to studies senior drivers have trouble judging speed and distances, which causes an inordinate number of rear-end and left-hand-turn accidents.

If you have additional questions or concerns regarding Texas laws on older drivers, contact the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or go online and fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

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