Michigan Senate Proposes Mandatory Driving Tests for Seniors 75 and Older

Democratic state Sen. Rosemary Bayer is introducing legislation that would require Michigan drivers aged 75 and older to pass regular in-person driving tests to keep their licenses, sparking debate over road safety versus senior independence.

Senate Bill 847, introduced on March 18, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, would fundamentally change how older drivers renew their licenses. The proposal targets drivers at different age thresholds with increasing testing frequency.

What the Bill Would Require

Under SB 847, the testing requirements escalate with age:

• Drivers aged 75 to 84 would need to renew their license in person at least every four years
• Drivers aged 85 and older would need to renew every year in person

Each renewal would require passing three tests:

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

Currently, many license renewals can be completed online or by mail, depending on the driver's circumstances. This bill would mandate more frequent, in-person evaluations specifically for older drivers.

The Tragedy Behind the Proposal

Sen. Bayer said the bill was inspired after an incident in which a 94-year-old driver hit and killed a constituent of hers.

"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."

The lawmaker said the bill addresses a common challenge many families face with older drivers who may not recognize their own declining abilities.

Community Reactions Are Divided

Residents in Michigan counties where the bill is being discussed show mixed opinions about the proposal.

Some seniors express concern about being unfairly targeted:

"I don't know if I'm too happy about this," said Pea Gee, who is almost 70. "It is not the older people that generate a lot of these accidents, it's the younger drivers."

Gee added that she and others in her age group "see well, we hear well, we can drive, and we're mentally focused because we're not texting."

Stephen Rogers agreed that testing might be appropriate for some drivers, but questioned whether annual testing for those 85 and older was necessary.

"I think that would be overkill," Rogers said. "I think that's quite a bit too much. I don't agree with that."

Sharon Mann, another older driver, said testing should not be based on age alone.

"I think that if they want to pass that type of bill, it should be passed for everybody," Mann said. "It should not be based on a particular person's age but maybe on their physical or mental abilities, which would be assessed by a professional."

However, some seniors support the idea. Linda Burge, 87, backed the proposal.

"I think it's a good idea," Burge said. "I would rather somebody tell me I wasn't able to drive than have an accident and be responsible for it."

AARP Opposes Age-Based Testing

The American Association for Retired People Michigan is not on board with the proposal.

"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.

The Safety Debate: Do Seniors Cause Most Crashes?

A common question raised by readers and community members is whether older drivers are responsible for the majority of traffic accidents.

The answer is nuanced. Younger and middle-aged drivers account for a larger share of total crashes nationwide. However, traffic safety data is often analyzed in different ways, including crashes per mile driven and crash severity.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that fatal crash rates per mile driven rise for drivers beginning around age 70 and increase more sharply after age 75. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that older drivers have higher crash death rates per mile traveled than middle-aged drivers, in part due to increased physical vulnerability and age-related changes in vision and reaction time.

This means older drivers tend to have lower total crash numbers but higher fatal crash rates per mile traveled. Other factors like alcohol, drugs, and distraction remain major contributors to crashes overall.

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 potentially amend the bill before it reaches a vote in the full Senate.

"I'm trying to bring a discussion with some balance to it keeping in mind the diversity of the state of Michigan," said Sen. Roger Victory, who noted the bill may change moving forward as some seniors felt unfairly targeted.

The principal of testing will remain the same, Victory said, but the bill could be adjusted based on feedback from across the state.

For now, the proposal remains just that — a proposal — and public input could play a role in whether it advances.

The Broader Context

Michigan has long required certain drivers to undergo medical evaluations if a medical professional, family member, or law enforcement officer files a request. For drivers over 70, reexamination requests increase significantly, often triggered by minor accidents or physician reports after medical events.

SB 847 would expand this framework by establishing age-based thresholds that mandate regular testing regardless of whether a specific incident has occurred.