License Renewal for Seniors in Arizona. In the period preceding a license renewal, it guides adults to know what they are doing, when they should do it, and what they need to be doing. Here is everything Arizona adults need to know regarding their driver’s license renewal in this blog.
When Do Seniors Need to Renew Their Licenses in Arizona?
People below the age of 65 years in Arizona can get licenses that remain valid even up to the age of 65, but they are required to renew the photo every 12 years. However, things become a little different when somebody turns 65.
After attaining 65 years, seniors are compelled to re-register every five years. This is to enable the Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, to validate the driver’s health status and eyesight, among other factors necessary to drive safely on roads.
What Are the Renewal Conditions?
When they reach 65 years, senior drivers are expected to re-register their cards every five years. A procedure for this includes a number of steps:
Vision Test: Older drivers have to pass a test in order to be able to read. You can fulfill this by attending the nearest Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office or provide a report from your eye doctor or optometrist’s test.
Driving is dangerous for elderly people if they have poor eyesight.
Photo Update: Seniors will be required to have a new photo in their driver’s license each time they renew it. This is in an effort to ensure the picture attached to the license currently represents the person.
Other Identification and Residency Proof: Seniors would have to present identification such as a passport or birth certificate and also proof of residency, such as a rental agreement, bills, or others.
To verify the identity of the driver and residence, these documents are required.
Do the Older Adults Renew License Online?
The majority of drivers in Arizona can renew their licenses online. However, not every driver can renew license online. In case a senior driver requires an eye test or a new photo, they need to appear in the MVD office.
However, if you don’t require a vision test and your photo is valid, you can renew your license even online. However, before doing so, it’s best to go the ADOT page to check if you’re eligible for renewal.
Medical Conditions and Reporting
In Arizona, the older driver is expected to inform the police of any health issue that may endanger them and others on roads. Someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, or a serious case of diabetes is not likely to be sound or react in time while driving.
Moreover, the doctors in Arizona are recommended not to inform if they feel that their patients can no longer drive safely; however, these physicians have the right to inform.
If the MVD believes a medical condition would cause it to become unsafe for the driver to drive, the MVD can also require the driver to seek medical treatment or retake parts of the driver’s test.
To avoid road accidents, seniors and their families should discuss these matters candidly.
Safe Driving for Older Adults
Drive freedom is the choice of many adults. However, as an individual ages, vision, hearing, and reflexes will change, so adults need to have regular checks on how well they drive.
Family members can help their elder family members by checking that they are having regular check-ups and taking care of the problems, such as hearing aids or prescription glasses.
In Arizona, there are also driver’s refresher classes that are specifically designed for the older generation.
AARP’s Driver Safety Course, as well as similar ones, educate the drivers about new laws of driving, defensive driving principles, and how to live with physical changes associated with aging.
Langley describes the worst-case scenario associated with such lapses in license renewal.
What If License Expires?
Before your license runs out, you should update it. If an older driver lets their license expire, they might have to take more tests when they finally update it.
Depending on how long the license has been suspended, this could mean taking the written or driving part of the test again.
What Are the Fees for Renewal?
Renewal fees aren’t too pricey for seniors in Arizona. In the future, renewing a pass will be around $10 in 2024. Note that fees are subject to change. As you prepare to renew, check the ADOT page and see what the rate is at that point.
