To promote road safety and ensure that drivers maintain the physical and cognitive ability to safely operate motor vehicles as they age, Nevada has laws in place for older drivers. If the Department of Motor Vehicles determines that a senior is unfit to continue driving, the driver’s license may not be eligible for renewal.
License Renewal Rules
Any driver over the age of 65 must renew his or her driver’s license in person at the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). While younger drivers are only required to renew their licenses in person once every eight years in Nevada, drivers ages 65 and older must renew every four years.
The shorter driver’s license renewal cycle for senior citizens in Nevada allows the DMV to check on the health and ability status of an older driver more frequently. If an elderly driver receives a full-page license application with a renewal notice sent by the DMV, he or she may be eligible for renewal by mail or fax.
Vision Tests
At each driver’s license renewal, drivers over the age of 65 in Nevada are required to pass a vision exam. This test can take place at the DMV by one of its personnel for free or drivers can choose to have an eye exam performed by an outside physician or optometrist.
If they choose the latter, a doctor must conduct the exam within 90 days of the license renewal request and complete an Eye Examination Certificate. If the driver does not pass the eye exam, this could lead to restrictions or conditions being placed on the driver’s license, including a requirement to wear a telescopic lens while driving.
Additional Tests Requirements on a Case-by-Case Basis
At the time of renewal, the DMV may order additional evaluations aside from the vision test to check for any physical or cognitive changes that could impact driving safety. The DMV has the authority to request a written knowledge and/or a road test at an older adult’s license renewal appointment or in between renewal dates.
The goal of these tests is to evaluate whether an older driver possesses the necessary skills and capabilities required for safe driving, such as physical strength, reflexes, reaction times and cognitive abilities. Medical exams may also be ordered annually or every six months if a doctor indicates that this is reasonable based on a medical condition.
Driving Privilege Restrictions or Conditions
If any potential issues that could affect safe driving are detected, the DMV may impose special driver requirements or restrictions, such as no driving on the freeway, daylight-driving only or driving no faster than 45 miles per hour. The DMV may also require modifications to an older driver’s vehicle to accommodate medical conditions, such as an additional right side mirror, a left foot accelerator or an automatic transmission.
Unsafe Driver Investigations
If a concerned family member or a law enforcement officer or a representative from a state agency believes an older driver to be potentially unsafe, the Nevada DMV will accept a request to conduct an unsafe driver investigation. During this investigation, the DMV will assess the driver’s abilities and may order the driver’s license to be restricted, suspended or revoked.
If you or a loved one gets into a crash involving an elderly driver, explore your legal options during a free consultation with a car accident attorney in Las Vegas at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP.