Florida Driving Laws for Seniors

Number of Senior Citizens in Florida

Florida is the third most populace state in the U.S. with 21,477,737 residents. 20.9 percent are people age 65 or older.

Florida senior citizens are a large part of the population, making their health and safety of chief importance to the state. By 2030, the number of senior citizens in Florida is expected to reach around nine million.

What age is considered elderly in Florida?

In the state of Florida, 60 is considered to be senior age. Florida senior citizens can begin familiarizing themselves with specific rules. If you’re interested in exploring these rules, check out the DOEA (Department of Elder Affairs) Florida website.

Senior Citizen Driver’s License Renewal in Florida

The Florida DMV does not have many special rules for elderly driver’s license renewals. The rules are the same with two notable exceptions.

First, most drivers in Florida are required to renew their driver’s licenses every eight years. For senior drivers over 79, that is changed to six years.

Second, Florida senior driving rules require that at each renewal, a senior driver must pass an eye exam. The exam can be issued by the DMV, a doctor, or an optometrist. That is the only Florida driver’s license renewal test. There is no written or driving component.

Do seniors have to take a driving test in Florida?

No, there is no elderly driver’s license renewal test. However, they do have to pass a vision test. If a person can’t pass the vision test, their license can be revoked. Restrictions can also be put in place, like no night driving or only being allowed to drive with prescription glasses.

Another factor for senior drivers is auto insurance. Older drivers tend to get cheaper car insurance rates than younger drivers. More experience usually means less chance of an accident.

This table shows the average annual auto insurance rates for 60-year-old drivers in Florida.

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The average cost of car insurance for someone 60 or older is $235 per month. That’s much cheaper than the state average of $390 per month. Use our free rate tool to find out who has the best auto insurance rates in Florida for seniors.

When you’re renewing your driver’s license, consider getting a REAL ID. A REAL ID will be needed to board an airplane or access government facilities starting in 2020. It’s intended to help cut down on ID fraud.

Watch this video for more information about the REAL ID.

When you receive your REAL ID, you’ll be issued a new license and turn in your old Florida driver’s license.

Car Insurance Companies in Florida for Seniors

There are several insurance companies available to Florida seniors, including Allstate, Geico, Liberty Mutual, Allied P&C, Progressive, State Farm, and USAA. The table below displays the average annual rates for these companies.

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The best car insurance in Florida for seniors is one that provides minimum coverage requirements at an affordable rate. As a bonus, your insurer could accept senior discounts from accredited driving courses. Be sure to contact your insurer to check first.

Do car insurance companies charge more for senior citizens in Florida?

Good question. Seniors enjoy a variety of discounts in most areas of their lives, and auto insurance is no different. In fact, those age 60 and older have the added benefits of accrued credit and homeownership.

Auto insurance for seniors in Florida can cost less if you choose the right company.

The table below shows the average costs of auto insurance – by company – for all age demographics in Florida.

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Florida seniors pay, on average, $717 less than 35-year olds, $1,155 less than 25-year olds, and $6,877 less than teenagers.

The best auto insurance rates for seniors in Florida are USAA. The second-cheapest rates are through State Farm. These rates reflect the average liability limits, which may or may not include add-ons.

Get FREE Florida senior auto insurance quotes, and all the information you need, today by using our tool below.

Minimum Liability Insurance

What about the minimum requirements for auto insurance in Florida? It goes without saying that maintaining at least minimum liability insurance in Florida is a must.

If you don’t, you could be subject to the medical and property damage costs of another driver. Why?

Florida ranks number one for the most drivers without insurance. If you get into an accident with one of the 26 percent driving without insurance, you may be footing the bill.

So, make sure you have adequate insurance at least.

The table below shows the minimum liability requirements for drivers in Florida.

As you can see, one in Florida must have at least $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) and $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP).

If you’re looking to gain more insights on what your Florida senior auto insurance rates might be, check out our FREE rate calculator! All we need is your ZIP code.

Florida Car Insurance for Seniors Over 80

What’s so different about driving over the age of 80? First of all, drivers of this age demographic have more vision and cognitive issues than younger drivers.

The greater chance of being in an accident can also lead to higher rates for older Floridians.

According to American Automobile Association (AAA), older drivers’ fatality rates are 17 times higher than 25- to 64-year-olds’.

The high fatality rates of over-60 drivers is largely due to the fragility of this population. As we age, our bodies become increasingly ‘fragile,’ leading to more damage to the body after a car accident.

These risk factors should be taken seriously, but are not the whole picture. Older drivers do not have more accidents than younger drivers, even though vision and cognitive decline are prevalent.

Florida driving rules for seniors mandate that drivers age 80 and older must pass vision assessments at every renewal of their drivers’ licenses.

Medical Conditions that Affect Driving

As we age, we are all faced with significant medical challenges. Some of these diseases also affect our ability to drive.

As a senior on the road, you may be faced with the following medical issues:

• Vision: Cataracts, Age-related Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma
• Cognition: Dementia and strokes
• Movement: Arthritis, hip replacements, and knee replacements

Remember, old age does not always signal the presence of ‘older driver problems.’ These problems can present themselves at any age.

Nevertheless, insurance companies in Florida may require their drivers to take vision tests or submit a doctor’s note at license renewals.

Does Florida require repeat road tests for senior citizens?

No, Florida senior drivers are not required to pass routine road tests.

For the older population, mail and online renewal options are available to all drivers. Older drivers don’t have to get their vision checked at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) location.

Of course, their doctor can do it instead. The driver and doctor must fill out and send in a Florida DHSMV Mature Driver Vision Test form within one year of a license renewal request to fulfill the renewal process.

Drivers under 80 years old must renew their license every eight years. Under-80 drivers only need a vision assessment when renewing their license in person.

However, drivers over 80 must renew it every six years and test for adequate vision during every renewal. The table below explains.

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As you can see in the table, drivers over age 80 are required to have vision tests every time they renew their license – every six years.

If you’re afraid your loved-one is losing their touch for driving, The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles allows family members to conduct unsafe driver investigations.

Some restrictions the Florida Dept. may place on seniors, such as “no driving at night” or “wear hearing aids on the road.” They also offer driver improvement courses for senior drivers.

Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the affordable Florida senior auto insurance by entering your zip code below.

Government Program in Florida for Senior Car Insurance

If you are a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient in Florida, you may be surprised at the many ways you can lower your rates.

According to the Social Security Administration, an individual can receive up to $738 per month through SSI. For some, this monthly payment becomes supplemental to their normal income.Many people depend on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the United States. It is a monthly benefit that helps augment income for those who are qualified (limited income is a requirement for applicants). Individuals who receive SSI can include:

• Those who are disabled
• Those who are blind
• Those who are over the age of 65

If you’re an elderly adult, SSI can easily become your only form of income. If this is the case, you can take measures to reduce your car insurance rates. Some ways to lower your rates include:

• Bundling your home and auto insurance policies
• Improve your credit score
• Take advantage of discounts (The Florida Mature Driver Insurance Discount Course is one)

When combining discounts, be sure to consult your insurance agent. Getting the maximum benefits will require communication and maintenance.

Find great Florida senior auto insurance today by using our FREE tool below. Get started now.

Florida Driving Test for Senior Insurance Discount

As we mentioned in the previous section, Florida drivers age 65 and older can earn auto insurance discounts through a driver course.

The steps to complete the course, accredited through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) are listed below:

• Login and take the course (6 hours)
• Check your email for the certificate
• Contact your insurance company for a three to 10 percent discount
• Your insurance provider must validate the discount

When taking courses to gain a discount, be sure to notify your insurance provider. The mature driver discount in Florida will last three years.

You could, however, lose your discount for a moving violation or are cited as being at-fault for an accident.

The Florida GrandDriver Program

The Florida GrandDriver program helps older drivers refresh safe driving skills or transition into no longer driving. This can be done along with other classes like a Defensive Driving Course or a Mature Driver’s Course.

Thank you for sharing this auto insurance guide to the rules for senior citizens in Florida. Relay this information to family and friends, or use the information for yourself. Anything we missed?

Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Senior Citizen Driving Rules

Rules surrounding senior drivers can be confusing. Keep reading for answers to some commonly asked questions about senior drivers in Florida.

#1 – What is the new rule for senior drivers in Florida?

The new rule is that if you are over age 79, you must renew your driver’s license every six years instead of every eight years.

#2 – At what age should an elderly person stop driving?

There is no set age that a person should stop driving. That will be determined by the skill of the driver. If you are concerned about an elderly driver in Florida, you can submit a confidential form to have them reevaluated.

#3 – Do senior citizens have to test for a driver’s license in Florida?

No, a senior citizen does not have to test for a driver’s license in Florida. The only test that must be passed is an eye test.

#4 – How do I revoke an elderly driver’s license in Florida?

At some point, many older drivers will need to have their driving skills reevaluated. Florida senior driving rules say that any person can submit a confidential request to have a driver’s skills reassessed.

Just because a Medical Reporting Form is submitted, however, doesn’t automatically mean an elderly driver’s license will be revoked.

An assessment will be done. If the driver is deemed to be unsafe, they will have to forfeit their license.

If that happens, a driver can always appeal to get their Florida driver’s license reinstated as a senior citizen.

Ready to buy Florida senior auto insurance? Feel free to explore rates now using our FREE online tool! Just enter your ZIP code to receive quotes immediately.