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California Driving Laws for Seniors

California Senior Citizen Driving Summary
CA Senior Citizen Driving FactsSource
DMV does not take away your driver license just because you reach a certain age.dmv.ca.gov
Due to COVID-19, license holders 69 and younger qualify for online renewal.dmv.ca.gov
License holders over the age of 70 have their license validations extended by one year. dmv.ca.gov
Your driver license can only be revoked due to mental/physical condition or inability to follow traffic laws.dmv.ca.gov
California's DMV will test eye sight to qualify for a license.dmv.ca.gov
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What are the driving rules for senior citizens in California? California auto insurance can be fairly tricky as it does not always carry the same traffic laws as other states.

We want to make it easy to keep driving as a senior citizen in California. We’ll go through the California driving laws for seniors step by step so you can stay on the right side of the law. Age is one of the factors that affect auto insurance rates, and it’s important to know the rules.

Get a good start by typing your ZIP code into our free and helpful tool above to find affordable California senior auto insurance quotes today.

Table of Contents

California Senior Citizen License Renewal

The senior citizen drivers license renewel process in California is a bit different when a resident reaches a certain age.

For senior drivers in California, is there an age limit? There’s no age at which you have to stop driving, but renewal changes. When a driver reaches the age of 70 (or older), they are required to renew their license in person.

Do senior drivers in California need a road test? No, but they will need to pass a vision test as well as a written test in some cases. To study for the written test, a driver can use the California drivers handbook for senior drivers or the practice DMV written test on Quizlet. The vision test is the only real difference.

There is no special California senior citizen drivers license or California DMV seniors drivers test.

Do California seniors need a REAL ID?

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV), a REAL ID will be required beginning on October 1, 2021 to board a domestic flight or enter secure federal facilities. This is applicable to seniors just as it is to anyone else.

Do seniors pay for a REAL ID? Yes, and it costs $35 just like a regular California driver’s license. Let’s take a look at a video showing the steps you will have to take to get a REAL ID in California.

The REAL ID is the primary concern in 2020. Originally it would be required to board a domestic flight as of October 2020, but due to COVID-19, the deadline has been delayed by a year.

The bottom line is, just remember that seniors are entitled to the Real ID just like anyone else. If you do not plan on boarding any domestic flights, you most likely will not need the REAL ID however and it will not result in the revoking of an elderly driver’s license in California.

How do I report an elderly driver in California?

There is no reason to do so unless the driver (regardless of age) is driving recklessly. Report a reckless driver by recording their license plate and informing the authorities.

The California DMV will investigate and may require a doctor to confirm the driver’s ability to drive safely.

We can help you to buy California senior auto insurance today. Type your ZIP code into our helpful and free tool below to see California senior auto insurance rates now.

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Frequently Asked Questions: California Driving Laws for Seniors

We know the car insurance industry is confusing, so if we haven’t answered all of your questions today, fear not, because we’re going to wrap up with an FAQ section.

#1 – At what age should an elderly person stop driving?

There is no specific age. It is all dependent upon mental and physical health.

#2 – When do you have to retake your driving test in California?

Licenses are to be renewed once every five years until the age of 70.

#3 – Will California senior ID be the same as the drivers license was?

The senior ID is not in and of itself permission to get behind the wheel.

References:

  1. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/identification-id-cards/

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