Driver Education for Seniors

Driving is a skill that should be continually improved. A driver education course for mature drivers aims to help seniors keep their driving knowledge fresh and get the most out of their vehicle while reducing the risk to the other motorists on the road.

As drivers age, they should know and understand how to adjust for weaker vision, slower reflexes, and other changes. A driver education course for seniors helps them extend their safe driving careers by giving them pointers on safe driving practices which they might have already forgotten. 

The driver education course for seniors is commonly referred to as the Mature Driver Improvement Course. It provides instructions on defensive driving and the state’s motor vehicle laws. The course provides information on updates on rules of the road, the effects of medication, alcohol, fatigue, visual or auditory limitations on a person’s driving ability.

In many states, such as in California, mature drivers who are 55 years old or older, who successfully completed an approved Driver Improvement Course is entitled to reduced motor vehicle insurance premiums. Insurance companies determine the percentage of premium reduction. However, an insurance carrier may refuse to give a reduced rate to mature drivers who have poor driving records. 

Course instructions are available in a classroom or online setting. Actual classroom time should be at least 400 minutes of instruction for the initial course and 240 minutes for the instruction for the renewal course. The time does not include registration time, breaks, lunch periods, and the issuance of completion certificates.

A completion course for the initial course is valid for three years from the date of completion. The certificate is renewable by successfully completing a subsequent renewal mature driver improvement course within one year of the expiration of the certificate, or if more than one year has elapsed since the expiration. The initial course and renewal course must be separate classes, to be held at separate times.

The completion of a Mature Driver Improvement Course will be beneficial if a mature driver who is over 70 years of age is required to renew his or her license upon request of a family member, emergency technician, police officer, or doctor that the senior driver be re-examined.  A re-examination may also be needed as a result of your application or your driving record requires an evaluation. The DMV of your state is responsible to give you the Reexamination.

A senior driver will be able to retain his driver’s license as long as he takes the reexamination process seriously and able to demonstrate an ability to drive safely. There is no such thing as a “higher standard” for senior drivers, but many adults drivers will not to pass a driving test if they will use their usual driving techniques, which is why they can benefit a lot from some training.

If it has been more than a decade when you take your last driving course, you must take the time to re-learn to be a safe driver. A senior will need a valid license, or a special license, to take driving lessons. There is no minimum number of lessons that a senior has to take.

Vision test

A senior driver must ensure that he gets his eyes checked before the test. He must update his vision prescriptions before taking the DMV’s vision test.  The examiner will test your vision by requiring you to read letters on a chart that is about 20 feet away from you. Failure to read the chart, the examiner will have to use a machine to further evaluate your vision. If you fail to pass the test, an examination will be required by your vision doctor and, probably, get a new prescription. 

Written test

You need to take first the senior driving course before you take the written test. This is an inexpensive course that helps refresh your basic driving skills. 

The DMV test is offered in different languages, or as an audio or video test. Once you pass the written test, the DMV will administer the Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation. It is similar to a regular behind the wheel test but it contains additional driving elements that are designed to evaluate your cognitive functions.