By admin 
It’s estimated almost a quarter of South Carolina’s drivers are 65 and older.
Do they face state laws that add more requirements for holding a driver’s license?
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No, although 37 states and the District of Columbia have special provisions such as more frequent renewal, restriction of online or mailed renewals, vision or road tests, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Surveys show older drivers tend to be the safest, involved in 13% of all crashes in 2023, the Nolo law firm says. But increasingly, more elderly drivers are involved in fatal crashes.
The Governor’s Association says problems plaguing elderly drivers run the gamut from not being able to see clearly, cognition and motor function.
“According to the American Medical Association, mature drivers have a higher risk of traffic fatalities not only because they tend to be involved in more motor vehicle crashes per mile driven than middle-aged drivers, but also because they are more physically fragile than their younger counterparts,” the Governor’s Association said.
South Carolina changed its laws on elderly drivers in 2018. Once, if you were 65 and older you had to renew every five years. When Real ID was implemented, the law changed to eight-year-renewal for everyone except non-US citizens, CDLs with hazmat; special licenses like payment plan licenses and beginner permits.
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The application for a driver’s license does have a series of questions regarding health that apply to all drivers such as whether the applicant has had a recent head injury, heart attack or stroke.
If they answer yes they are given a medical packet to complete with a medical provider.
DMV can place restrictions on interstate driving, not to exceed 50 mph, and day driving only. These restrictions are also at the discretion of a physician and apply to drivers of any age.
What can you do if you think a family member’s age is affecting driving?
You can contact the DMV, but South Carolina does not have a formal procedure for family members or friends to report unsafe driving. That distinction is left up to the courts, police officers, and DMV personnel.
South Carolina is in the minority among states when it comes to family reporting.
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