Illinois has made one of the biggest changes to senior driving rules in US history: from July 2026, the state's mandatory road test for older drivers shifts from age 75 to age 87. Meanwhile, permit tests across the country are quietly getting harder, with new questions on technology most learners have never thought about.
Illinois: age 75 → 87
Before
75
After (July 2026)
87
The change means hundreds of thousands of Illinois drivers between 75 and 86 will no longer face a mandatory in-person road test at renewal. Drivers aged 87 and above will still need to demonstrate safe driving ability to keep their licence.
What's new on US permit tests in 2026
Across the country, DMV knowledge tests are being updated with three major content areas:
🚗 ADAS awareness
New questions test whether you understand the limits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems — lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. States want drivers to know these are aids, not autopilot.
📱 Hands-free phone laws
Over 30 states now classify phone use while driving as a primary offence — meaning police can pull you over for the phone alone. Iowa, South Carolina, Louisiana and Pennsylvania joined the list in 2025–2026.
🌿 Marijuana DUI rules
All 24 legal-recreational states (plus DC) now include marijuana DUI questions. The standard threshold: 5 ng/mL THC for adults, zero tolerance for under-21s.
REAL ID reminder
If you're applying for your first licence, REAL ID enforcement is fully active. Bring originals proving your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, lawful status, and two proofs of address. Photocopies are not accepted.
Sources: Riverbender · Zutobi · California DMV