Missouri driving age restrictions

At 55 both my eyes went south almost overnight. The right eye retina started detaching. Surgeries over 4 years kept my general vision in that eye, but central vision is a no go because of a screwed up macula from any one of the surgeries. The left eye had a tear and to prevent a detachment I got 600+ laser hits. Over the years, the flotters in the left eye have dispersed and are a constant inconvenience to reading and sometimes driving during low light like dusk. The left eye is my only usable eye for near (w/reading glasses) or far vision. When my DL came up for renewal 4 years ago, I brought in a DMV form filled out by my ophthalmologist and had to take a road test, which I passed perfectly. The examiner, who had 0-5 year options for my next renewal, gave my a 5 year. Next year I have to go thru the same deal again. I don't resent this. It's the DMV's job try to keep unsafe drivers off the road. Many of us can be in denial about our shortcomings, especially age related. My brother, a year older, has it worse, with both eyes that had detachments. He went to the DMV before his renewal ad memorized the hanging eye charts. Must have worked for him this time, but since the Alzheimer's gene is also in the family, next time memory may not cut it. Don't know what I'd do if my eyesight gets so bad I can't drive anymore. I have no friends or family support, Southern California has no usable public transportation, and public services are non-existent for single males. Cities with the best public transportation, like NY, Chicago, SF, and Honolulu are all more expensive than SoCal, and 2 1/2 are just too cold.

KA4EBU wrote:
68/70 are too young.
Until they make it harder for the young the need to leave the more mature alone.

https://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/gdlfaq.shtml. There, that was easy.

About time. Honestly...anyone driving a motorhome should PROBABLY be required to have a DOT medical card.

In MO. an eye exam is required each time you renew. I renewed my CDL last Oct. and had to prove I needed it and now it is only good for three years. I don't know if it has any thing to do with it but I am over 70 now.

ReVoker wrote:
I just heard that Missouri is considering passing driving age restrictions which would require citizens over the age of 68 to have an eye exam every two years and a supervised road test starting at age 70 every two years as well. I'll post more about this as I find out what is actually going on.

Congrats to MO!

I would be required to take the test/s if I was in MO.

Doesn't sound out of line.

Common sense - and no big deal.

Kinda like the folks (of any age) that believe they don't need any special license or testing to prove they're capable of driving a 40+ ft MH, or tow a 40 ft 5th.:S

~

TOMMY47 wrote:
Well, who's going to volunteer to drive these folks around? Their children and grandchildren? Not likely. Or will they be forced into government housing so they can be kept out of cars?

That's not the issue here. I guess they will have to find alternatives to driving themselves. It's inconvenient I agree but better that than half blind and crippled people trying to drive decently and not realizing they cannot do it anymore.

Before I retired I sold auto insurance for many of the large companies. I do not remember the exact age but I think it was 70, the rates start to increase. The rate increase was based on accident statics. There are senior driving lectures that will decrease your rates a little.
When you renew your license in Florida everybody has to do a eye test.
Don

When I drive my car I do the speed limit. I am always passed by the younger generation. I am 64 and have no tickets and no chargeable accidents. When the police are around everyone drives like they should. No police, and Katie bar the door. I could never count the amount of times I have been tail gated by people trying to get me to speed up. In my Dp I do 62 which is my sweet spot. As far as merging onto a interstate very few know how or if they do know they ignore it. Same thing with a merge on other highways, they wait till the very last second and then they get upset when you do not slow down. Today is the me generation and dam to anyone that gets in my way. Police officers are just as guilty. I see them speed with no lights or sirens. They also fail to use their turn signals, yet they turn around and give us tickets for the same thing they are doing.

So it's okay for impaired drivers to keep driving if they don't have any other way to get around? Isn't that like saying it's okay for the drunk drive to drive himself home since he doesn't have a ride?