As a senior, I was unhappy when I received a notice in the mail that it was time to renew my driver’s license. 

“Oh, no!” I thought, “Am I in good enough shape to pass the vision and written tests one needs to take when one is over seventy?” 

I made an appointment at the optometrist to upgrade my glasses, got a copy of the DMV handbook, and began studying. I knew I was a competent driver, but age had also caused some deterioration.

As most seniors do, I felt dependent on my car to get me to the grocery store, doctor and dentist appointments, and the activities I enjoy, such as yoga and senior dance. Although buses, taxis, and even shuttles are available, not having your license means a loss of independence and dependence on others. 

As I studied the DMV book, I realized it was good to review the driving laws, as some had changed and others had been forgotten, as you drive mechanically without thought. I realized it was necessary to have periodic renewals, as they force you to keep up to date on the traffic laws and to visit the optometrist you had put off. (Allow yourself plenty of time for new glasses, as there could be a glitch, as there was with mine.) It’s all about standards to protect ourselves and others on the road. As mentioned in the book, since 2010, more than 30,000 people have been killed and another 100,000 seriously injured on California roads.

There was even a place where seniors’ problems were addressed, suggesting it may be time to stop driving the freeways or at night and stick to familiar travel routes near your home. Driving at appropriate times was also recommended to avoid the glare around sunrise and sunset and the heavy rush hour traffic. And they cautioned to be sure to keep your windshield clean!

Making wise decisions about your driving was just as important as knowing the rules of the road and having good vision, and here was where seniors often had an advantage. Youthful drivers with less experience frequently took chances, while seniors with years of experience were generally more careful on the road.

When I went to take my test, I did so not with the trepidation I initially felt when I got my notice in the mail but with confidence that I had done my utmost to prepare and would accept whatever the outcome. I’m happy to say I passed both tests and received a new license, which I plan to use with discretion. I am grateful for the privilege of being able to continue to drive.