When men and women grow older, it is often common for hearing ability to decrease and for vision to weaken. These and many of the other symptoms of old age may affect a senior’s driving ability. That is why seniors who turn 70 are automatically required to renew their license in person at the DMV. Normally, people can renew their licenses online or over the phone, but most state Departments of Motor Vehicles like to make sure that senior drivers are still safe and responsible drivers before they send them back out on the roads.
In most states, you will want to make an appointment shortly after your 70th birthday to come into the DMV. This way, you will be able to arrive shortly before your appointment and avoid waiting in the dreaded DMV line. After you have made your appointment, you may want to review your state Drivers’ Handbook. There’s a possibility that you will need to take a written test just to make sure that you still have an apt comprehension of your local traffic laws. You can ask about whether or not you will have to take this test when you call the DMV to make your appointment.
These tests have only 18 questions, and there is only one correct answer. The tests are available in a variety of languages, so make sure to specify which language you would like to take the test in when you arrive. You can also get the tests in a larger print if you are challenged at reading small lettering, If you fail this test, don’t be discouraged! You will have two more chances to take the best before you have to reapply for your license. You should also remember to bring your renewal notice to the appointment, so that you won’t have to complete another application form.
If you wear eyeglasses, then you will want to bring them with you and make sure that you still have your most current prescription. You may need to meet with your eye doctor before your DMV appointment so that you can get an updated prescription, especially if you haven’t had your eyes checked in two years or think that your eyesight has deteriorated since your last renewal. If you are nervous about taking a vision test at the DMV, then you can talk to a DMV employee and explain your concerns.
Your eyesight will be tested with a wall chart that will measure you visual acuity. This is to make sure that you can operate a vehicle and be readily aware of what is ahead. If you don’t pass the eye exam, all is not lost. A DMV employee will probably give you a report of vision examination so that you can visit an optometrist and get glasses. Then, your eye doctor will have the final say on whether or not you can drive safely with the aid of glasses.
After these in-building tests, the DMV may want to give you a driving test before they reissue your license. If they express this desire, then you shouldn’t worry! The DMV just wants to assess your mental and physical capacity and make sure that you will be a safe drive and not a hazard out on the road. If you have to take the driving test, it is usually because you did not pass the vision requirements, or have been referred from a Driver Safety office because of a condition or lack of driving skill. Also, a police officer, relative, or friend who is concerned about you may have asked the DMV to check your driving ability. If you can pass the driver’s test, then you will be granted a license regardless of your age.
The DMV simply wants to ensure that you are a safe driver and won’t cause the risk of a crash out on the road. In May of 2007, USA Today released an article that announced that the death rate of senior drivers is almost parallel to that of teen drivers. About 11 percent of all crashes in involve an older driver. Many times, these older men and women have slower reflexes and limited cognitive ability as they age. About three seniors are involved in serious accidents every single day in America because of an inability to notice traffic signals or respond to another driver’s mistakes. If you were involved in a car accident, then it may cause law enforcement to recommend that you head to the DMV for a license renewal.