MISSOURI – With the aging of baby boomers, Missouri roads will likely see an small uptick in drivers aged 65 and older by 2025, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety said older drivers are typically more at risk for physical and cognitive disabilities that can inhibit driving. With this in mind, Missouri law does not have a maximum driving age law in place but does have restrictions for older drivers.
According to the MCRS, there was a 6 percent increase in older driver crashes, and 223 people were killed in crashes involving an older driver in 2023.
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, once a driver reaches 70 years of age or older, they must renew their license every three years. Including a road sign recognition and vision test each time they renew their license.
Common restrictions that can be placed on a person’s driver’s license include additional outside rearview mirrors, driving during daylight hours only, drivers restricted to a 25-mile radius, and driving at speeds no more than 45 miles per hour.
According to Nolo, a legal encyclopedia, the most common restriction for older drivers is to require glasses or corrective contact lenses.
The MCRS said that decisions about an older driver’s driving ability should never be based on age alone. The coalition does recommend accessing how age-related changes can impact driving and often adapting a vehicle to suit the driver’s needs.
