Is 65 the New Sweet 16 When it Comes to Driving?

Nadia Wade –

Many professionals – Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, Lawyers – must renew their licenses in order to continue practicing within their profession. The risk of malpractice rises as we age, as motor skills, sharp memory tactics, and quick thinking skills do not always last us a lifetime. In order to protect patrons of the services they provide, professionals must go through a process to keep their certifications once obtained. Though this practice of renewing a license through testing certification currently lies within the professional aspect of one’s life, there were two delegates from Clarksville Academy that thought the license renewal process was needed in one more aspect of everyday life.

The inseparable pair stood before the House and Presented Bill: RHB/22-2-4. Their bill was titled, “An Act to Require Residents Above The Age Of Sixty-Five to Renew Their Driver’s License In Person By Taking The Driver’s Test And Vision Test Every Five Years.” If passed, their bill would require licensed drivers over the age of 65 and older to retake both driver’s test and vision test in order to keep their license. The two delegates included that if an older person fails this renewal test, they will have 30 days to retake the test. They have stated that mail-in renewal and online renewals are no longer an effective way to keep other drivers safe, and hope their bill will change this safety issue.

On Saturday Morning, The delegates presented their bill before the house and blazed through all of the Pros, Cons, and follow-up questions of the assembly. Throughout the day, their bill passed through both the House and the Senate committee, and now they are awaiting Governor Comfort’s approval. They explained their $30 cost for older citizens having to retake the test and explained that state funding was not necessary for the implementation of their bill. An interesting part of their bill is that it is expected to generate revenue without state funding.

This bill raises one important question. If implemented, would 65 become the new 16 when it comes to driving? 

Learn more:

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