Statewide Iowa — Starting September 1st, Iowans in their 70s may be able to renew their drivers license for up to eight years rather than just every two.
Under current law, Iowans who reach the age of 72 must renew their licenses every two years. The new law Governor Kim Reynolds has just approved raises that every-two-years requirement to the age of 78. The bill passed the House unanimously in February, without debate. It easily cleared the Senate last weekend, but not before 69-year-old Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames raised objections.
(As above) “I think that the decade between 70 and 80, a more frequent review of a driving license is appropriate,” Quirmbach said.
Quirmach says many Iowans in their 70s are capable drivers, but everyone knows friends or relatives who should not be driving. According to the federal government, 86 percent of Americans who are 65 or older continue to drive and are more likely than all other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents. Iowa DOT records indicate nearly 480-thousand Iowans who were 65 or older were licensed to drive in 2018.
