California Driving Laws for Seniors (2026)

When looking at elderly driving laws by state, seniors’ driving tests and regulations vary. In California, there are no special car insurance coverage requirements for seniors or California driving laws prohibiting them from driving after a certain age.

California Senior Citizen Driving Summary

However, license renewal laws help authorities decide when to restrict or revoke a senior’s driving license to keep everyone on the road safe. Read on to learn more about California driving rules, CA driver’s license age requirements for senior drivers, and see whether you’ll need to take a CA senior driving test.

Senior Driver’s License Renewal in California

What is the new rule for senior drivers in California? California drivers who are 70 or older must renew their driver’s license in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) every five years. Previously, COVID-19 was an exception to this rule, which allowed seniors to renew online.

So, do seniors have to take a written and driving test in California? As of January 2023, residents over 70 in California must renew their license in person alongside an eye exam and a CA DMV renewal test for seniors.

You may also wonder, “Do you have to take a driving test when you are 70 in California?” In some cases, the DMV may ask a driver to take a CA DMV drivers test for seniors who may have impaired vision or driving abilities.

Senior drivers must also complete the following to be eligible for a California senior driver’s license renewal: 

• Vision Test: CA DMV tests for seniors include a vision test at every license renewal. Drivers can have their vision DMV test for seniors done at the DMV or get a Report of Vision Examination within six months from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
• Written Test: Do seniors have to take a written test in California? A DMV written test for seniors in California is required for those 70 or older. You have three changes to pass the CA DMV senior written test, and you must get 21 question correct.
• Possible California Senior Driving Test: The DMV may require a driving test for seniors in California if there are concerns about a senior driver’s ability to drive safely.

If a driver meets all the senior drivers license renewal California requirements, there will be no driving restrictions or revocation. However, in some cases, a senior driver may not be able to drive safely anymore, which would result in denial of license renewal or the issuing of a restricted license. 

However, this can affect insurance rates, so read our five auto insurance buying tips for seniors. The following section will cover when a senior driver may face license revocation or restrictions from the DMV.

Restricted Driver Licenses for Senior Drivers 

Based on the CA DMV test for seniors over 70, if the DMV has reason to believe a driver no longer can drive safely, the DMV may restrict a senior driver’s license. Often, the DMV also gets notified with concerns about a senior driver’s ability to drive safely by the driver’s doctor, family, friends, law enforcement, or the driver.

After a complete examination of a driver’s ability to drive, including a doctor’s health reports or a California driving test for senior citizens, the DMV may place the following restrictions on a senior driver’s license:

• Limits on where a driver can go, such as to a grocery store or doctor.
• Requiring the driver to wear corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Requiring modifications to the car, such as outside mirrors or automatic transmission.
• Not allowing drivers to drive on the freeway.
• Not allowing drivers to drive at night.

It’s important to note that the above restrictions can apply to all drivers and aren’t geared explicitly for senior drivers. However, some age-related health conditions may result in senior drivers receiving the restrictions on their license, such as vision degradation.

If senior drivers’ conditions are more severe, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, the DMV may revoke the driver’s license, preventing the seniors from driving altogether.

Another option is that the DMV may also put a senior driver on medical probation when a driver or their doctor must regularly report on the driver’s medical condition. The DMV may also issue a limited-term license to senior drivers, where drivers have to come in every year or so for evaluation to ensure that they can still safely drive and won’t be putting themselves or others at risk. 

More About CA Drivers License Renewal for Drivers Over 70

CA driving rules don’t include any specific laws for license renewal other than requiring drivers over 70 to come in person to renew their driver’s license and complete an eye exam and DMV written test for seniors in California. Other restrictions and requirements the DMV may place on senior drivers apply to all ages, not just seniors.

As a senior driver, it’s crucial to have good auto insurance coverage in case of an accident. Our free quote comparison tool will help you find your area’s best auto insurance rates.