Michigan Senate Bill Would Require Regular Driving Tests for Seniors 75 and Older

New Legislation Targets Road Safety as Seniors Age

LANSING, Mich. — A new bill introduced in the Michigan Senate would require drivers aged 75 and older to pass regular in-person driving tests to keep their licenses, sparking debate over road safety, senior independence, and how the state should address aging drivers.

Senate Bill 847, introduced on March 18, 2026, by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-13, Farmington Hills, Novi) and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, would change how often older drivers must renew their licenses and what they must do to keep them.

The bill has not yet been voted on and remains in the early stage of the legislative process.

What the Bill Would Require

Under SB 847, the requirements escalate with age:

Drivers aged 75 to 84 would have to renew their license in person at least every four years. Each renewal would require passing:

• A vision test
• A written knowledge test
• A driving skills test

Drivers aged 85 and older would have to renew every year in person, with the same three tests required at each renewal.

Currently, Michigan drivers renew their licenses every four years but can generally do so online, by mail, or at kiosks without taking additional tests, provided they have a good driving record. There are no age-based requirements under current law.

The Tragedy Behind the Proposal

Sen. Bayer said the legislation was inspired by a constituent whose wife was struck and killed by a 94-year-old driver in 2024.

Christopher Thexton, whose wife Sarah Jane Thexton was killed in the Novi crash, told CBS Detroit that he called Bayer's office to advocate for changes to the law.

"It seemed like a kind of a hole in the system that older drivers were allowed to kind of drive unchecked," Thexton said.

The crash occurred on October 3, 2024, on South Wixom Road. Phyllis Stafford, 94, failed to stop and struck Thexton's vehicle, which hit the car in front of her. Thexton exited her car and was standing near the driver's door when Stafford's vehicle accelerated and ran over her. The 95-year-old Stafford pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in relation to the incident last year.

The Numbers Behind the Safety Concerns

As of 2024, 26% of Michigan drivers were 65 years of age or older, according to data compiled by Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.

Those drivers over age 65 — more than 1.9 million — made up:

• 12.2% of all drivers in crashes in 2024
• 18.7% of drivers in fatal crashes that year

The report also noted that the number of crashes involving drivers 65 and older represented just over 59,000 crashes, a 22% increase since 2015. Fatal crashes involving those 65 and older jumped nearly 71% over the same period.

Supporters See a Logical Solution

Thexton, who pressed Bayer to act on the issue, said he is happy to see the bill.

"I applaud them," Thexton said. "It's a good and logical thing to do."

Sen. Bayer noted that most individuals have elderly family members whose decision to continue driving is a concern. She herself has had difficult situations with loved ones who should have given up their keys.

"I've heard so many stories now since I started talking about it; it's everywhere," Bayer said. "It's really hard for a person to get their parent to stop driving. It's so hard."

Bayer emphasized that the state shouldn't wait for a crash to show up on an elderly person's record before acting.

"You shouldn't wait until someone gets run over or gets in a crash or kills somebody and then take away the license," Bayer said. "It's not a terribly inconvenient thing to go into the office."

AARP Michigan Opposes the Legislation

The American Association for Retired People (AARP) Michigan expressed opposition to the legislation, arguing it targets drivers solely on the basis of age without consideration of an individual's ability.

"Michigan should focus on individualized, evidence-based approaches — such as reviewing driving records or addressing specific medical concerns — rather than policies that restrict independence, limit access to essential services, and discriminate against older residents," said Jason Lachowski, associate state director for AARP Michigan.

Current Law and Alternatives

Under current Michigan law, drivers take a vision test when they receive their first license and whenever they renew a license at a branch office. Drivers can largely renew online, by mail, or at kiosks, but must renew in person every 12 years.

The Secretary of State's Office has the authority under the Michigan Vehicle Code to reexamine drivers and can restrict, suspend, or revoke driving privileges based on the results. A request of driver evaluation form can be submitted to the department by law enforcement, medical professionals, adult protective services, concerned citizens, friends, or family.

However, age cannot be the basis of those requests for driver evaluation under current law.

Bayer's bill would have the state bear the cost of the additional tests at the secretary of state's office to ease the renewal process for elderly drivers.

Samantha May, a spokeswoman for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office, said the Department of State has not taken a position on the legislation.

Other States Have Similar Requirements

Under Bayer's bill, requirements for elderly drivers in other states vary. Roughly 20 other states have some form of requirements specific to elderly drivers. Some have shorter renewal periods for elderly individuals, others have vision or road test requirements, and others require elderly individuals to renew only in person, according to Americans for Older Driver Safety.

What Happens Next

SB 847 will now be considered by the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Lawmakers may hold public hearings, hear testimony from experts and residents, and/or amend the bill.

If it passes committee, it would then move to the full Senate for a vote.

Bayer said she's uncertain whether the bill will advance in the current divided Legislature, but she was hopeful the bill would at least start a conversation around the issue.

"All it's going to cost you is a little bit of your time," Bayer said. "If you're still perfectly fine to drive, you don't lose your license."