How Old Is Too Old To Drive In South Dakota?
If you've spent any time at the Department of Motor Vehicles lately, like I did in September, you're aware that good and bad drivers come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and questionable apparel. At least that was my observation.
But because I was there renewing my license with other people of a certain age, I began to wonder what the age limits were for older drivers in South Dakota.
Well, it turns out that there aren't any specific age limits, but as drivers age you do have to renew your license every 5 years and do it in person every 10 years, plus you also have to take a mandatory vision test.
A written test and a road test may be required at the discretion of the DMV personnel.
The most common restrictions for older drivers have to do with corrective eyewear. But there are other requirements that the DMV may impose on older drivers according to the website NOLO.com, including:
- driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission
- no nighttime driving
- no driving outside a specific geographic area
- only driving within a 50-mile radius of your home
- driving a vehicle with specified equipment
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety has a checklist for people wondering if they should still be driving:
- Do you get lost while driving?
- Are family and friends worried about your driving?
- Do other drivers seem too fast, appear out of nowhere or honk at you?
- Have you had more “near misses” or been stopped by police lately?
- Do busy intersections, left-hand turns or parking make you nervous?
Older drivers can also improve their driving skills with Aging Driver Courses through AARP and Triple-A. For more information see the Department of Public Safety.
Sources: NOLO and South Dakota Department of Public Safety
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