Can you be too old to drive in Kentucky? Here’s how the state licenses mature drivers
If you live long enough, or have an aging parent, it’s likely you’ll have to have “The Talk” at some point — a conversation about whether or not it’s safe to continue driving as you age.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, drivers older than 65 made up 20% of licensed U.S. drivers as of 2021. The number of fatalities involving older driver has also increased in recent years, NHTSA data shows, though “the older population has grown at a rate faster than the increase in fatalities involving older drivers.”
Asking a loved one to stop driving is tough and makes for a difficult transition, one in which they’ll have to be more dependent on others to get around. It might leave you wondering what you can do if your elderly loved one simply will not give up their keys.
Here’s what to know about mature drivers in Kentucky, licensing requirements and restrictions, and possible next steps.
Does Kentucky place license renewal restrictions on older drivers?
All drivers in Kentucky, no matter their age, are required to renew their license every eight years.
Many states require older drivers to renew their licenses more frequently or take more frequent vision or road tests. Kentucky is not among them, however, according to the legal information website Nolo.
Still, that doesn’t preclude driving authorities from placing restrictions on a driver’s license. For older drivers, the most common one is requiring glasses or corrective licenses, Nolo notes.
Others restrictions can include the following:
No freeway driving
No driving at night
Must drive with an additional right-hand mirror
No driving during rush hour
Must have adequate support for proper driving posture
Restrictions against driving in certain areas
According to the Western Kentucky law firm Rhoads and Rhoads, Kentucky drivers who are 70 years or older at the time their license expires must renew their license in person at a local driver license office.
They’ll be asked a few general health questions, and the law firm recommends answering truthfully. When renewing their license, older drivers can be asked to take a vision test, as well as a written test.
Can the state take away an older driver’s license?
While it’s generally preferable for an older driver’s loved ones to set boundaries, there is a way to report unsafe drivers to the Kentucky Medical Review Board.
According to Rhoads and Rhoads, the law firm, making a report to a state board may seem drastic, but in some cases it may be the only way to avoid an accident and keep older drivers from putting themselves or others at risk.
The medical review board’s membership includes doctors from various fields and can evaluate older drivers if needed. The board can require drivers to meet with a physician and undergo an evaluation. If the physician determines the driver has a serious physical or mental condition, the driver will be required to attend a driver reexamination.
Making a report requires submitting a medical review board affidavit, which must be sent to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. In the case of an individual making a report, the affidavit requires two signatures along with a notary’s signature.
What can you do to maintain your driving skills as you age?
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers several tips to make sure you are sharp and focused while driving. Here are five to keep in mind:
- Vision: As a person ages, it becomes more difficult to distinguish details and the ability of the eyes to focus weakens. A 60-year-old driver, for example, needs twice as much time for their eyes to adjust to changes in lighting as a teenager, and three times as much light to see properly. Get regular eye exams and be mindful about wearing your glasses, if you need them. Keep your mirrors and windshield clean, and make sure your mirrors are adjusted so you can use them effectively. Sit high enough in your seat so you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car. Use a seat cushion if you need it. In the glare of oncoming traffic, look down and to the lower right side of the road to avoid being blinded.
- Physical fitness: Driving is a physical activity that we often take for granted because we do it so often. It takes a certain amount of strength, coordination and flexibility. As you get older, focus on developing and maintaining a fitness routine that targets these skills. Consider strength training with light weights or resistance bands, trying tai chi and going for regular walks.
- Attention and reaction time: You can reduce strain on your attention by driving during the day and avoiding rush hour traffic or bad weather, if possible. When you are driving, be alert to sounds outside your car by limiting background noise (such as the radio). Be alert to flashing lights and obey the speed limit. Look to the sides of the road, as well as directly ahead at intersections.
- Medication: Be mindful of what medication you’re taking and understand its side effects. Some medications can make you drowsy and distract you while driving. To minimize this risk, talk to your doctor about your medications, read warning labels and generally know how you react to new medications before you drive.
- Be aware and honest with yourself: Understand you have limitations and listen to feedback from your loved ones. Be open to driving less and using alternatives more often. Driving less doesn’t have to mean giving up your freedom all at once. If you’re proactive and looking at viable alternatives, it can actually be a way to hold onto your independence as you age.
Do you have a question about the law in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.