How Old Is Too Old To Drive In Texas? You Might Be Surprised.

I was walking home yesterday and came to a crosswalk. I waited for the walk signal, checked to make sure things were clear, and then started walking. As I was about to step up onto the sidewalk, a car blew past me. They didn't even tap the brakes for the right turn they were about to attempt. They swung wide into the far line, straightened it out, and continued on their way. After getting a look at the driver I had to ask myself, how old is too old to drive in Texas? The answer was surprising.

Can You Be Too Old To Drive In Texas?

I don't want to come across as mean. I think it's a fair question. For a lot of us, the older we get, the worse our eyes get. For some of us, our reaction time slows down. In some cases, our judgment goes out the window. These things happen, and will probably happen to me. Do I still have the right to get behind the wheel if I'm a danger to myself or others by that point?

In the state of Texas, there is no limit to how old you can be and still drive. Whether you're 80 or 800, it doesn't matter. In the Lone Star State, the freedom you feel behind the wheel is something you get to feel well into your twilight years. So if someone tells you you're too old to drive, you tell that whippersnapper to shove it.

That doesn't mean, though, that there aren't some hurdles to jump in order to get there.

The Rules For Senior Drivers In The State Of Texas

Just because you believe you can drive, that doesn't mean that you automatically get to. At some point, you're going to have to prove you're still capable of operating a motor vehicle safely and responsibly. That starts when you hit the ripe old age of 79.

Between the ages of 79 and 84, when you renew your license, you receive a six-year license. Once you turn 85, you get a two-year license. When it becomes time to renew your license, you don't get to use the internet or the mail anymore. Now, you have to do it in person.

That trip to your local office looks something like this:

• Make your appointment
• Finish the application online or in person
• Actually make it to your appointment
• Wait for the specialist to look over your medical history to see if any additional testing needs to be done
• Hand over your completed application for a license, proof of U.S. citizenship (if not on record), and proof of identity
• Do your signature and thumbprint
• Try your best to take a decent photo
• Pay your fee
• And finally, this is the tough one, pass the vision exam

As long as you can do all of that, you can drive in the state of Texas no matter how old you get.

The rules changed thanks to Katie's Law, which was created after Katie was killed in 2006 by a 90-year-old driver who ran a red light. When it comes to driving, just because you think you can doesn't mean you should.