Does Minnesota Have Laws Against Older Drivers? We Found Out

I won't lie, there have been plenty of times that I've gotten upset about someone who 'doesn't know how to drive'. And sadly, many times it's an older person behind the wheel.

I feel bad! I hope that when I'm older I'm still able to get myself around and go do things, drive to have coffee with friends, that sort of stuff. But there are also some people who, unfortunately, just aren't able to safely drive anymore.

Does that mean there are age limits placed on a driver's license? Should there be extra tests done before an older person is able to renew their license? I learned today that it's different in every state.

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Is There an Age Maximum for a License?

It seems unfair to give a blanket age that people aren't allowed to have a license anymore. Thankfully, that's how it is in the law across the country. There is no specific age where you are no longer allowed to have a license anymore.

However, each state has its own rules in place, and some are stricter than others.

For example, in Illinois between the ages of 81 and 86, you're required to renew your license every 2 years. But age 87+ you have to renew your license every year, according to World Population Review.

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In Florida anyone who is 80+ needs to renew their license every 6 years (typically it's every 8 years). Not only that but anyone 80+ also needs to take a vision test every year, according to Senior Safety Advice. Others in Florida don't need to do the vision test each year.

And one more example, in Iowa if you are 72+ you need to renew your license every 2 years and take a vision test every year if you're 70+, according to Senior Safety Advice.

Does Minnesota Have an Age Limit for Getting a License?

In Minnesota, everyone must renew their license every 4 years and do a brief vision test as well. As for people who are older, Minnesota has no other special rules or laws. Everyone does the same renewal procedure until you don't pass or decide you aren't able to drive anymore.

However, Minnesota does sometimes decide they want you to take a written knowledge test before renewing your license, according to The Zebra, but that has nothing to do with age. There are many states that do the same thing.

I may be biased, but I feel like we've got it right here in Minnesota. It makes sense to me to make everyone, regardless of age, take the vision test each time you renew your license. The only change I can think of is maybe once someone hits 80 you have them renew every 2 years instead of 4, but I don't make the rules around here.