Stay safe and mobile

The Iowa DOT’s Office of Driver Services has developed the series of booklets and videos Choices Not Chances - The Road to Driving Safer and Longer to help Iowans remain safe and mobile as they age. Included in the program are the following materials:

• Older Drivers and Risk explores key facts about safety and risks for older drivers. To view a copy, click here.
• Driving Retirement provides guidance to assist families in planning safe transportation options. To view a copy, click here.
• A Practical Guide for Senior Drivers assists seniors in refreshing their knowledge of safe driving rules and practices. To view a copy, click here.

All the publications can also be found on the Office of Driver Services' Web site at http://www.iamvd.com/ods/senior.pdf.

Licensing

The Choices Not Chances program also includes valuable information for seniors on driver licensing provisions. In Iowa a person must renew their license every 5 years on their birthday. For individuals age70 and older, the license must be renewed every 2 years.

A decline in driving skills does not necessarily mean your driving days are over. The Iowa DOT's Office of Driver Services makes every effort to enable older drivers to continue driving when and where it is safe to do so. 

Driver’s license examiners will assess a person’s driving skills in an area that is familiar to the driver. For many older Iowans, this process results in a license that allows them independence and mobility, while restricting them to driving only in certain areas, "daylight only" driving privileges, driving at certain times of day when traffic is less congested, or speed limit restrictions. More information on driver licensing and restricted licenses can be found in the following 2 Choices Not Chances publications:

• Driving with Diminished Skills provides information about driving with normal aging changes and driving with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. To view a copy, click here.
• Driver’s License Renewal in Iowa explains the renewal process including the vision screening, medical requirements, driving tests, and also includes the Iowa driver’s license station addresses and hours of operation. To view a copy, click here.

These publications can also be found on the Iowa DOT's Office of Driver Services' Web site at http://www.iamvd.com/ods.