In a major move for older drivers, those who are age 70 and beyond will no longer be required to take a knowledge test to renew their licenses, the California Department of Motor Vehicles announced on Monday, Sept. 30.
All drivers had been required to take the knowledge test once their license expired after turning 70, which had been a policy but not a law, DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a press release. In recent years, they could have opted for an eLearning session instead, which also is no longer required.
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“We are eliminating the written knowledge test for those without traffic violations on their record to improve customer service,” Gordon said in a statement. “If thousands fewer people need to visit the DMV, or can spend less time in an office, the people who need to take care of their business in one of our offices can be better served.”
An office visit is still required for a vision exam and an updated photo for those 70 and older who are renewing a driver’s license.
First-time drivers must still take a knowledge test, which for years had been called the written test. So will newcomers to California who want a license.
For all renewing motorists with poor driving records, there is a requirement to again take the test. At least some can opt for the DMV’s eLearning course, which the driver largely can’t fail.
All drivers are still required to take the knowledge test, or eLearning, if their records meet any of the following conditions:
Two or more accidents during the two years immediately preceding the expiration of the license
Three or more accidents during the three years immediately preceding the expiration
A DUI suspension during the two years immediately preceding the expiration date
Two or more violation points within the two years immediately preceding the expiration
Some older drivers with expiring licenses may have already received renewal notices that indicate a knowledge test is required but are eligible to not take it. In those cases, the test will be waived during in-office visits.
DMV officials are encouraging customers to start their applications online to lessen the amount of time they are in a DMV office.
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Statistics show the crash rate decreases as drivers age, with the exception of drivers 75 and older who had the highest death rate involving a collision.
According to the National Safety Council, a nonprofit safety-advocacy organization, drivers who were 16- to 19-year-olds in 2022 represented 3.6% of licensed drivers but accounted for 9.1% of drivers in all crashes and 6.1% of drivers in fatal crashes.
Those stats include those at fault and those just involved in the collisions.
Motorists 65 to 74 accounted for 13.4% of licensed drivers while representing 7.1% of drivers in all crashes and 8.8% of drivers in fatal crashes, the council said.