Pennsylvania Driving Laws for Seniors and Older Drivers

About 25% of Pennsylvania's 9.1 million drivers are 65 or older, and the number is growing every year. And as the number of older drivers grows, the risk of age-related impairments and serious injury in traffic crashes may rise.

Although Pennsylvania drivers over 65 are involved in fewer traffic accidents than younger drivers, like seniors across the country, they're more vulnerable to serious injury or death. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that drivers 75 and older have a higher traffic fatality rate than any other age group.

While the many rules and regulations enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) apply to drivers of all ages, the state imposes some special requirements and restrictions on older drivers. Many of these rules focus on identifying and handling older drivers who've become unsafe. Specifically, Pennsylvania requires:

• a random selection of drivers 45 and older to submit vision and physical exams to prove fitness for driving, and
• doctors and other medical practitioners to report patients diagnosed with conditions that could make them unsafe drivers.

Pennsylvania License Renewal Rules for Older Drivers

Older drivers in Pennsylvania have different renewal options and can face additional screening or testing depending on their age and health.

When Do Pennsylvania Driver's Licenses Expire?

Pennsylvania driver's licenses generally expire on the day after the driver's birthday every four years. But drivers 65 and older can choose to renew their licenses for just two years at a reduced fee.

Pennsylvania's Mature Driver Re-Examination Program

Pennsylvania operates a unique program in which nearly 2,000 drivers 45 and older (chosen at random each month) must have vision and physical exams to renew their driver's licenses. The state notifies selected drivers seven months before their licenses expire.

You can have your regular health care provider perform the medical examination. A private health care provider can also complete the vision exam, or you can take a free vision test at any PennDOT Driver's License Center.

When Must Older Pennsylvania Drivers Retake Written or Driving Tests?

If you're selected for medical and vision testing, PennDOT might require you to retake the written exam and pass a road test, depending on your results. You might also need to retest if your health care provider reports to PennDOT that you have a medical condition that could affect your driving.

Possible License Restrictions for Older Pennsylvania Drivers

Pennsylvania law allows the Department of Transportation to place restrictions or conditions on your driver's license whenever PennDOT has "good cause." (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1512.)

The most common restriction for older Pennsylvania drivers is requiring corrective lenses (glasses or contacts). Other common requirements PennDOT can impose on older drivers include limiting driving to:

• vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions
• vehicles equipped with mirrors on both sides
• vehicles with special equipment (like hand brakes or a left-side gas pedal)
• while wearing a hearing aid
• daylight hours only (sunrise to sunset)
• roads other than freeways, or
• a specified geographic area or route.

How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania DOT will accept information from health care providers, police and accident reports, family members, and others concerned that a driver might have become unsafe behind the wheel. After receiving such a report, PennDOT will investigate and can require the driver to undergo medical, vision, or licensing tests.

To request a review of someone's driving qualifications, send PennDOT a detailed letter explaining your observations and any known medical impairments the driver has. Include your name and contact information. PennDOT doesn't accept anonymous reports, but it does keep reports confidential unless they become evidence in a public court proceeding.

Mail your letter of concern to:

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Driver Qualifications Section
P.O. Box 68682
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-8682

PennDOT provides additional information on the state's medical reporting website. If you have questions about the medical reporting process or your case, you can contact the Bureau of Driver Licensing by calling 717-787-9664 or emailing [email protected].

Mandatory Reporting for Doctors

Pennsylvania is one of only a few states that requires medical practitioners to report anyone who is diagnosed with a condition that could impair his or her ability to drive. (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1518(b).) All of the following health care providers are subject to this rule:

• physicians
• chiropractors
• physician assistants, and
• certified registered nurse practitioners.

Written reports must be filed within 10 days of the diagnosis and include the driver's full name, address, and date of birth.

For detailed information on the requirements of medical reporting, as well as downloadable forms, see PennDOT's medical reporting FAQs.

Pennsylvania Driver Improvement Programs

Drivers can improve their skills by taking an education and training class specifically developed for older drivers. And if you're 55 or older and complete the Basic Mature Driver Improvement Course, Pennsylvania law entitles you to at least a 5% discount on your vehicle insurance. (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1799.2.)

Refresher courses and basic driver improvement courses are available across the state. Learn more and find a PennDOT-approved mature driver improvement course near you.

How to Get a License Reinstated

For information on how to get your license back after it's been suspended or revoked in Pennsylvania, you can request your driver's license restoration letter online. The letter will tell you what you need to do to get your driving privileges back, including any fees you might need to pay. Be sure to save or print a copy, as PennDOT won't mail it to you.

You can also get information about restoring your suspended license by contacting your local PennDOT Driver License Center.

How to Get Parking Placards or License Plates for a Disabled Driver

PennDOT will issue disabled person parking placards and license plates to drivers with impaired mobility if a licensed medical practitioner certifies the condition. To qualify for a parking placard and plate, the person with the disability must:

• be blind
• not have full use of one or both arms
• be unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
• be unable to walk without the use of a cane, crutch, brace, prosthetic device, or wheelchair
• be severely restricted by lung disease
• use portable oxygen
• have a severe cardiac condition, or
• be severely limited in the ability to walk by an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

PennDOT will also issue disability parking placards and plates to drivers responsible for the life and care of someone with one of the conditions described above (like a spouse or parent).

To get a person with disabilities parking placard or plate:

• Complete and sign at least one of the following application forms:
• MV-145a (Person With Disability Parking Placard Application)
• MV-145 (Application for a Person With a Disability or Hearing Impaired Registration Plate or a Person With a Disability Motorcycle Plate), or
• MV-180 (Assignment of PennDOT Request for Temporary Persons With Disability Parking Placard).
• Have a licensed health care provider complete the certification portion of the form.
• Submit your completed application and any required fee (as stated on the form):
• in person at the Riverfront Office Center (ROC) in Harrisburg, or
• by mail to PennDOT, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68268, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268.

Veterans with a service-related disability rating of 100% can get a special severely disabled veteran parking placard from PennDOT. Learn more about getting a disability parking placard in Pennsylvania.

Learn More About Pennsylvania Driving Rules for Seniors

The PennDOT website has a wealth of information for Pennsylvania drivers, including licensing and vehicle registration requirements.

Of special interest to seniors is the Resources for Mature Drivers page, which includes driving safety tips, information on mature driver improvement courses, and information for retired and disabled veterans.