Illinois Senior Driver Rules: Road Test at 87 Since July 2026
Do seniors in Illinois still take a road test at 79?
No. Since July 1, 2026, Illinois drivers 79 to 86 do not take a routine road test based on age. They still renew in person every four years with a vision test. Drivers 87 and older take a road test at each renewal and renew every year. A license costs $5 at 79 to 80, $2 at 81 to 86, and nothing at 87 and older.
Where these rules come from
This guide uses the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) page on the Road Safety and Fairness Act, the law in 625 ILCS 5/6-109 and the SOS basic fees page. It also uses the SOS Drivers FAQ and the SOS driver's license renewal page (as of 2026). Confirm the rules with the Illinois Secretary of State (ilsos.gov) before you drive.
What changed on July 1, 2026
The Illinois Road Safety and Fairness Act took effect on July 1, 2026. It changes license renewal for older adults and looks at whether a person can drive safely, not at age alone. Before the change, the routine road test started at 79. The 2025 edition of the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook still gives that old age, so follow the 2026 rules on this page. Today, 79 is the age at which you must renew in person, and 87 is the age for a road test at each renewal.
Illinois license renewal by age
| Your age | How often you renew | How you renew | Road test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 79 | Every four years | Online or in person | No |
| 79 to 86 | Every four years | In person, with a vision test | No routine road test |
| 87 and older | Every year | In person, with a vision test | Yes, at each renewal |
Why Illinois kept the road test at 87
The SOS says age alone is not a reliable measure of driving ability. In 2024, drivers 75 and older had a crash rate of 25.54 per 1,000 licensed drivers, lower than every age group from 16 to 74. Illinois has limited safety data for drivers 87 and older, so lawmakers kept the existing road test for that group. The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/6-109) now sets 87 as the renewal age for an actual driving demonstration.
Which rule applies to you
Written test and vision screening still apply
A driver with traffic convictions must take a written test at least once every 8 years. Everyone who renews at a facility has their vision screened. The only exception is online renewal, which only drivers under 79 can use. To see the result that meets the usual Illinois vision standard, try our free practice question on standard vision screening benchmarks.
How to get ready for a renewal visit
- 1Check your renewal date
A 4-year license for ages 21 through 86 expires on your birthday, and you can renew it up to one year before it expires. At 87 and older, you renew every year, and you can renew up to 6 months before the license expires.
- 2Watch for the renewal letter
The SOS mails a letter 60 to 90 days before your license expires. The letter is not required to renew, so you can renew without it.
- 3Bring acceptable identification
You need acceptable identification to renew. The fee depends on your age (see the fee table below).
- 4Plan the road test if you are 87 or older
At 87 and older, you take a drive exam at each renewal. Bring proof of liability insurance for your vehicle. Our free practice question on proof of liability insurance covers how Illinois drivers must carry it.
- 5Keep the paper license
After a renewal at a DMV, you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 90 days.
Family members can report a concern
The Act lets immediate family members report concerns if they believe a loved one's medical condition or driving ability may make that person unsafe to drive. Ask the Illinois Secretary of State how to submit a report.
Illinois license fees for older drivers
| Age | Driver's license fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 21 to 68 | $30 |
| 69 to 80 | $5 |
| 81 to 86 | $2 |
| 87 and older | Free |
Other fees for older drivers
A corrected license or permit costs $2 at ages 81 to 86 and is free at 87 and older. A duplicate license or permit is free for a person 60 or older whose license was lost or stolen. A CDL renewal costs $50 at age 69 and older. A State ID card is free at 65 or older. For fees at other ages, see our Illinois license and permit fees guide.
Key Takeaways
- Since July 1, 2026, drivers 79 to 86 have no routine road test based on age.
- Drivers 79 and older renew in person. At 87 and older, you renew every year and take a road test each time.
- A license that expired before July 1, 2026 still needs a driving test at 79 to 86 when you renew.
- A license costs $5 at 69 to 80, $2 at 81 to 86 and nothing at 87 and older.
- Next step: practice the rules of the road on our free Illinois Class D practice test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a written test to renew my Illinois license at 80?
Not always. Drivers 79 to 86 renew in person and pass a vision test, and depending on their driving record, they may also take a written knowledge test. Any driver with traffic convictions must take a written test at least once every 8 years, and an accident on your record can lead to a written or road exam.
How often do seniors renew a license in Illinois?
Drivers 21 through 86 hold a license that is valid for 4 years and expires on their birthday. You can renew it up to one year before it expires. From age 79, you must renew in person. At 87 and older, you renew every year.
Can a 79-year-old renew an Illinois license online?
No. Illinois law requires every renewal applicant 79 or older to renew in person. Online renewal is open only to drivers under 79. At the facility, your vision is screened and you show acceptable identification. At 87 and older, you also take a road test.
Is an Illinois driver's license free for seniors?
A driver's license is free at 87 and older. It costs $2 at ages 81 to 86 and $5 at ages 69 to 80. A State ID card is free at 65 or older, and a duplicate license is free at 60 or older when the license was lost or stolen.
How early can I renew my Illinois license at 87 or older?
At 87 and older, you renew every year, and you can renew up to 6 months before the license expires. The SOS mails a renewal letter 60 to 90 days before expiry, but you do not need it to renew. Each renewal includes a road test, so bring proof of liability insurance for your vehicle. The license is free.
Do commercial drivers take a road test at 75?
Yes. The Act does not change commercial driver's license rules. A CDL holder takes a road test beginning at age 75, while a regular license holder takes one at 87. A CDL renewal costs $50 at age 69 and older.
Practise for your Illinois Class D Written test
5 free practice tests with 100 questions, answers and explanations.
Start free Practice Test 1Share or ask AI about this article
Continue the conversation or send this guide to someone who needs it.
Related guides
How to Get a Class 7 Learner's Licence in Alberta (2026 Steps)
You can apply for an Alberta Class 7 learner's licence at 14. See the four steps, the knowledge test fee, the temporary licence and what you may drive.
Florida Learner's License at 15: Requirements, Hours and Rules
How to get a Florida learner's license at 15: the tests, the course, parental consent, who must ride with you, when you can drive and what comes next.
Can International Students Drive in Michigan? License Rules
Yes, if you are temporarily in the U.S., you may drive on your home license, with a translation or IDP if it is not in English. See the F-1 and J-1 documents.