IllinoisOlder drivers face renewal checks; permitted dealers may offer safety courses
Starting January 1, 2027, some older drivers must renew in person or demonstrate safe driving, while permitted dealers may offer paid safety courses.
What it does
Drivers age 79 or older must renew in person. Drivers age 87 or older, and commercial drivers age 75 or older, must demonstrate safe driving.
A motorcycle dealer with a state permit may offer safety courses to eligible residents for a fee that is not refunded. Dealers cannot receive state training funds or equipment.
Grant-funded course providers and motorcycle dealers cannot control employees' clothing outside work hours or ask about it during hiring.
Argument forIn-person renewals and driving tests for some older drivers could help check whether they can safely operate a vehicle.
Argument againstSome older drivers could face extra travel or a driving test when renewing, which may make keeping a license harder for them.
More detail
Some older drivers must renew in person or demonstrate safe driving. These rules apply to people renewing an Illinois driver's license. The in-person rule applies to drivers age 79 or older. The driving demonstration applies to drivers age 87 or older, and to drivers age 75 or older who hold a commercial driver's license. The rules take effect January 1, 2027, and apply when a driver renews a license.
A motorcycle dealer with a state permit may offer safety courses for a fee. Courses must be open to Illinois residents with a valid driver's license who have turned 16 before the course begins. The Department must issue the dealer a permit to operate as a dealer provider. The courses are not eligible for state training fund money, other program funds, or equipment supplied by the Department. Dealers must meet instructor, course quality, insurance, and curriculum rules, and may not solicit product sales during registration or on course days. The law takes effect January 1, 2027; permitted dealers may offer courses throughout the year.
Some motorcycle safety course providers may not set employees' off-hours clothing rules or ask about them when hiring. The rule applies to those providers' employees, outside scheduled work hours and during job applications or interviews. The rule covers providers with a contract funded by a grant under the Act and dealer providers. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0818Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 25Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 27Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000Passed House
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 21Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 20Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 20Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 20Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 20Do Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; 011-000-000
- May 20Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 071-040-000
- May 20Motion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; Rep. Barbara Hernandez
- May 15Committee/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 15Assigned to Transportation: Vehicles & SafetyMinor
- May 15Referred to Rules Committee
- May 15First ReadingMinor
- May 14Chief House Sponsor Rep. Nicholas K. Smith
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Arrived in HouseMinor
- May 14Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- May 14Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000Passed Senate
- May 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
- May 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted; JoyceMajor
- May 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; JoyceMajor
- May 14Recalled to Second ReadingMinor
- May 14Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner
- May 14Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Erica Harriss
- May 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Be Approved for Consideration Assignments
- May 14Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes
- May 13Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
- May 13Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
- May 13Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker
- May 13Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments
- May 13Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. JoyceMinor
- May 8Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
- Apr 17Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 8, 2026
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Transportation; 017-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 15, 2026
- Apr 14Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Transportation
- Mar 12Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 12Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. JoyceMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026Minor
- Mar 11Do Pass as Amended Transportation; 019-000-000
- Mar 10Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
- Mar 10Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Donald P. DeWitte
- Mar 10Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Transportation
- Mar 5Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 5Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. JoyceMinor
- Feb 24Postponed - Transportation
- Feb 17Assigned to TransportationMinor
- Feb 3Referred to Assignments
- Feb 3First ReadingMinor
- Feb 3Filed with Secretary by Sen. Patrick J. JoyceIntroduced
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