LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan lawmakers are revving up debate with a new proposal that could put drivers 75 and older back in the testing lane – whether they like it or not.
A tune-up for senior drivers.
Senate Bill 847 would require drivers 75+ to pass vision, written, and road tests every four years to keep their licenses. Hit 85? Buckle up – those tests would come annually. Supporters say it’s about safety, pointing to concerns over crashes and a growing population of older drivers on the road.
Some seniors say pump the brakes.
However, not everyone is eager to take another spin through driver’s ed. Some seniors say the bill unfairly targets age instead of ability.
“It is not the older people that generate a lot of these accidents, it’s the younger drivers,” senior Pea Gee, 70, told WDIV-Local 4, arguing many older drivers remain sharp – and less distracted than younger, phone-glued motorists. Groups like AARP are also waving a caution flag, warning the policy could discriminate based on age rather than actual driving records.
Some say better safe than sorry.
Still, some older drivers are signaling support. Linda Burge, 87, told WTVG, “I think it’s a good idea. I would rather somebody tell me I wasn’t able to drive than have an accident and be responsible for it.”
Adult children of elderly drivers are also voicing support, saying it’s easier to let the state step in than to take the keys away themselves and risk a family showdown.
Older drivers lead, but teens trail close behind.
According to 2024 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts data, older drivers are involved in more crashes overall, but the gap isn’t as dramatic as some might expect. Drivers 65 and older were involved in 279 fatal crashes and more than 11,000 personal-injury crashes, compared to 116 fatal crashes and just over 9,000 injury crashes for drivers ages 16 to 20 – showing that while seniors account for higher totals, younger drivers still make up a significant share of serious crashes.
The bill was introduced on March 18 by State Senator Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield). Bayer told WKAR that her office started working on the issue shortly after a fatal car accident in 2024. A Novi woman died after being run over by a 94-year-old Milford Township driver.
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“Her husband called us,” Bayer said. The man “basically begged us to put some legislation in place” to prevent future incidents and protect others from people who are too old to drive. “So, we did,” Bayer said.
Out of pocket cost.
In Michigan, a mandated road test for seniors won’t just test their driving — it’ll hit their wallets, too. Unlike some states, Michigan outsources driving tests to private companies, meaning there’s no standardized fee and no free option. Most road tests run around $70 to $80, and that’s each time a test is required – or retaken after a failure. For seniors on fixed incomes, those repeat fees can add up quickly, turning a safety measure into yet another out-of-pocket expense just to stay on the road.
Where this road leads.
For now, the bill is still in the shop in Lansing – the one called the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. But whether it moves forward or stalls out, one thing’s clear: Michigan is heading into a high-stakes merge between safety concerns and personal freedom. Nobody wants to be forced out of the driver’s seat without a fight, especially seniors – a group lawmakers ignore at their own political peril.
