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May 1, 2025 — A growing push to require drivers over 70 to pass a mandatory vision test every three years is gaining traction in the United States, echoing a proposal recently endorsed by UK politician Andy Burnham. While Burnham’s plan targets British motorists, US transportation safety advocates and state lawmakers are now examining similar measures amid rising concerns about older driver crash rates.
According to a new analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers aged 70 and older are involved in 12% more fatal crashes per mile driven than those in their 40s, with vision impairment cited as a contributing factor in nearly one-third of those incidents. The data has reignited debate over whether current state renewal practices—which often rely on self-reported vision problems—are sufficient.
“The current system is broken. We ask seniors to sign a form saying they can see, but we never actually check,” said Dr. Lauren Chen, a geriatric ophthalmologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital and lead author of a 2024 study on older driver vision. “A simple, low-cost visual acuity test at the DMV every three years could prevent thousands of accidents.”
The proposal mirrors one in the UK, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called for compulsory eye checks for drivers over 70 as part of a broader road safety overhaul. Several US states, including Florida, California, and Illinois, have already introduced bills that would require vision screening at license renewal for drivers aged 75 and older. However, the new push would lower the age threshold to 70 and standardize testing intervals.
Under the draft legislation being discussed in a bipartisan House committee, drivers turning 70 would be required to pass a Snellen or similar visual acuity test at a DMV office or licensed optometrist every three years. Those who fail would be issued a restricted license, limiting driving to daylight hours and low-speed zones until corrective measures—such as new glasses or cataract surgery—are proven effective.
The bill also includes a waiver for drivers who can provide proof of a clean driving record for the past five years and a recent optometrist statement showing 20/40 vision or better. Critics argue this creates a loophole, but sponsors say it balances safety with the mobility needs of seniors.
A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 27% of drivers over 70 have undiagnosed visual impairments, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Many of these conditions progress slowly, leaving drivers unaware of their declining ability to see pedestrians, signs, or vehicles in their peripheral vision.
“Self-reporting is not reliable. People adapt and compensate without realizing they’re missing critical cues,” said Dr. Chen. “Mandatory testing catches the silent degraders.”
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that fatal crash rates for drivers aged 80 and older are about 2.5 times higher than for drivers in their 30s, though the absolute number of crashes is lower due to fewer miles driven.
Currently, only 14 states require vision tests at all license renewals, regardless of age. Another 12 states have age-specific testing, typically starting at 75 or 80. The remaining states rely on self-certification. This patchwork has led to calls for a federal standard, though transportation policy is largely left to states.
“We need consistency. A driver in New York shouldn’t face a different standard than one in Texas,” said Representative Mark Torres (D-IL), co-sponsor of the House bill. “Safety doesn’t stop at the state line.”
Opponents, including the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), argue that mandatory testing discriminates against older adults and could strip them of independence. “A one-size-fits-all test doesn’t account for the many seniors who are excellent drivers,” said AARP policy director Sarah Kim. “We support targeted screening based on medical evidence, not blanket age cutoffs.”
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to hold hearings on the proposal in June. If passed, the measure would apply to all drivers aged 70 and older when renewing their license, with the first testing cycle beginning in 2027. States would be required to implement the new rules within 18 months of enactment.
Meanwhile, several auto insurers have announced they will offer discounts to seniors who voluntarily take a vision test and pass, ahead of any legal mandate. “We believe prevention is better than accident recovery,” said Mike O’Rourke, vice president of Allstate.
For now, the debate continues. But with increasing public awareness of senior crash risks and the success of similar programs in countries like Japan and the UK, the momentum for a US-wide elderly driver vision test law appears to be building.
