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Is There an Age Limit for Driving in Florida?

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A Legal Perspective from a Miami Car Accident Lawyer

The question of whether there should be a maximum age for driving in Florida tends to resurface every time a serious accident involves an elderly driver.

Like a blinking red light that never goes off, it’s a conversation filled with legal gray areas, emotional weight, and difficult personal choices.

What Does the Law Actually Say?

Florida law does not establish a specific age limit for when someone must stop driving. However, once a driver turns 80 years old, there are additional legal requirements:

  • Driver’s licenses must be renewed every six years (instead of eight).
  • A vision test is mandatory when renewing a license.
  • The test can be taken at a DMV service center or through a licensed medical provider.

If the exam reveals visual impairments, a more thorough medical evaluation may be required. Physicians are also authorized to recommend driving restrictions, such as driving only during daylight hours, or even deny renewal if they determine the person is not safe to drive.

What If a Loved One Should No Longer Be Driving?

Talking to a loved one about giving up driving can be extremely sensitive. Many seniors associate their driver’s license with independence, but safety —both personal and public— must come first.

Florida law allows anyone (a family member, doctor, or agency) who is aware of a physical or mental condition that could affect a person’s ability to drive safely to file a confidential Medical Referral form with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

These referrals can lead to medical reviews, driver re-testing, or legal limitations on that person’s license.

Why This Matters: The Data Behind the Risk

  • Florida leads the nation in fatal crashes involving elderly drivers, with 767 cases reported in a single year.
  • According to the CDC, over 7,500 adults aged 70 or older were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2020.
  • Nearly 200,000 older adults were treated in emergency rooms for crash-related injuries that same year.
    That breaks down to 20 deaths and 540 injuries every single day.

Bottom Line: It’s Not About Age — It’s About Ability

A calendar can’t determine whether someone is fit to drive — but their health, vision, and reflexes can.

As a Miami car accident lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand how tragedies could have been avoided if a difficult —but necessary— decision had been made earlier to stop driving.

If you’re concerned about someone’s ability to drive safely, don’t wait for a tragedy to happen. Start the conversation. And if you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident in Miami, we’re here to help.

Call The Perazzo Law Firm at 888-PERAZZO for a free consultation 24/7.
We’re committed to helping you navigate your rights and recover what you deserve.

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