In summer 2025, a rumor spread that the U.S. Department of Transportation was set to implement new rules for driver's license renewal for people 70 and older, imposing a baseline for vision, cognition and physical ability.
For example, a July 20, 2025, post on X relayed the claim, adding that alleged new rules amounted to "federal overreach" (archived):
Further, an article on a blog filled with advertisements also reported on the supposed new guidelines.
This was not the first time the claims had emerged. The rumor appeared in a June 23, 2025, post on X that seemed to warn users about the new rule (archived). The rumor appeared several times on X, as well as on Facebook. Further, Snopes readers emailed and searched the site seeking confirmation that this was true. The posts and emails linked supposed news stories from two different outlets, one named The Licking News and the other named Sheffield Stories from the Pandemic. The featured images for both articles included photos of President Donald Trump.
However, the story was fictional. No reputable news outlet had reported such an announcement, according to a Google search and a Google News search (archived). Further, Snopes ran both stories through artificial-intelligence content detectors, which confirmed both were likely the products of AI software.
In short, the claim appeared to be made up for the purpose of gaining clicks or views online.
However, it is correct that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that drivers 70 and older are more prone to car accidents. Further, many states have established rules for elderly drivers, including vision tests after a certain age — though that age varies from state to state.
The rumor spread in June 2025 as Illinois announced it would increase the age of a mandatory driving test for those seeking to renew a license from age 79 to age 87. If Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signs it, the bill will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
For further reading, Snopes previously reported on many other AI-generated stories, including one that claimed tech magnate Elon Musk had given $5 million to build affordable housing.