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House Bill 5049 passed both chambers on the final day of last
week's veto session.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said seniors will now be
required to take an annual driving test starting at 79, rather
than 75, based on an executive order from the Illinois Secretary
of State.
“So what this would do, it would extend that ... for four years,
79, you wouldn’t have to take it every year,” Hoffman said. “So
seniors wouldn’t have to go and take the driver’s license test
every year. It would extend that to Oct. 1, 2023.”
The measure also requires the office to study the issue further.
Hoffman said the aim is to not reduce the age at which older
drivers need to test annually, but to permanently codify the
policy since it's only in effect until next October.
“So, I think what we’ll do is hopefully this will extend it for
10 months, the fact that they don’t have to take the test every
year, and then we’ll extend it further after that study,” he
said.
Data from the Federal Highway Administration with the U.S.
Department of Transportation shows a total of 8.5 million
licensed drivers in Illinois in 2019. Of that, more than 573,000
were older than 75. Around 299,000 were between the age of 75
and 79.
The measure also creates a new specialty license plate.
“In addition, it authorizes the issuance of a retired
constitutional branch officer license plate,” Hoffman said.
That means outgoing Secretary of State Jesse White will be
eligible to get a specialty plate after his term ends next
month.
After being signed by the governor, the measure is now in
effect.
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and
other issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of
award-winning broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning
Newsfeed out of Springfield.
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