A new University of Iowa study, published in Injury Epidemiology, examined the effects of driver license renewal policies on motor vehicle crashes and injuries among older drivers in 13 states over two decades.

The study found that states generally moved towards loosening licensing policies for older drivers. Policies investigated included renewal period, in-person renewal frequency (versus online), vision testing, knowledge testing, on-road drive testing, and mandatory physician reporting related to fitness to drive. 

Longer renewal periods and/or less frequent in-person renewal were associated with increased crash and injury rates for older drivers.

Read the full IPRC blog post

Media Coverage

Research shows relaxing driver’s license renewal laws for older drivers leads to more crashes (KCRG)