Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus. The state of Illinois has taken action to protect senior drivers during the COVID pandemic.
As a temporary COVID precaution, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced on August 24 that the driver’s license expiration date for Illinois drivers age 75 years or older has been extended for a period of one year for all licenses that expire in 2020. This move is to protect senior drivers in Illinois so they do not have to visit a DMV to renew their driver’s license while there is a global pandemic.
Illinois has approximately 147,000 drivers age 75 whose driver’s license has expired or will expire in 2020. Letters are being sent to qualified drivers. Drivers should keep the letter with their driver’s license as proof of their extended expiration date.
Many U.S. travelers use their driver’s license as their form of identification. REAL ID is part of the 9/11 Commission’s travel safety recommendations to the federal government and requires a new driver’s license with the REAL ID-compliant mark.
The original deadline date was October 1, 2020, to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, US passport, US military ID or other accepted identification to fly within the United States has been delayed due to the coronavirus. The new deadline is October 1, 2021, a one-year extension from the previous date.
An automatic driver’s license extension of one year may not be good news for children of elderly parents. Often family members are uncomfortable confronting a senior driver about their ability to continue driving. Sometimes, they cross their fingers and hope nothing happens and they fail their next driver’s license exam. If you are concerned about the ability of an elderly driver to continue driving but don’t want to confront them, there are steps you can take says AgingCare.com – but be aware of potential consequences:
1. Anonymously Notify the DMV
2. “Lose” Their Car Keys
3. Notify The Police
4. Talk To Their Physician
5. Notify An Elder Law Attorney
Do you need to protect an elderly loved one in Illinois? Our experienced elder law attorneys in Lombard, Illinois, understand applicable laws and advise you on the best options to protect an elderly or disabled person. Contact the Estate & Probate Legal Group at 630-687-9100.
