Q. Anyone over the age of 70, to renew their driver’s license, must take the written test. I’m sure other seniors feel this is offensive. I personally have been driving for 60 years, no tickets or accidents and I’m in good health, so why am I required to take a written test? Even some of the questions on the test are ridiculous. All my senior friends feel the same way. Any idea why they feel compelled to punish us seniors?
– Terri Glaser, Simi Valley
A. Well, let’s just say Honk knows the Department of Motor Vehicle’s stance on all of this.
The DMV says age isn’t considered as to whether you can be behind the wheel, but ability is – and that some senior citizens lose that ability for one reason or another, with the implication that age can certainly play into it.
And, yes, drivers 70 and older are scrutinized more than younger ones. They are required to head into a DMV office every five years, at least, instead of the typical 15, getting an eye and knowledge (or written) test each visit (Although if the application is started online, the test can be taken there or an online course taken instead).
In fairness to the DMV, its employees are just carrying out what they are told to, upholding laws the state Legislature has in place.
So your beef, Terri, is with members of California’s Senate and Assembly. The decision regarding the 70-year-old threshold has been in place for years and years.
Q. Honk: As a notary public I wanted to add some thoughts to John “Jack” Baker’s inquiry (Honk had to tell him the DMV won’t add “Jack,” his preferred first name, on his license). While the law may state that a California driver’s license should include the customer’s true full name, in reality many do not. I frequently see California licenses with only a first and last name, or first name, middle initial and last name. This can create significant problems when notarizing a document. For example, if a customer comes in with a document for John Quincy Public to sign and notarize, but his driver’s license says “John Q. Public,” I can’t identify him as John Quincy Public and notarize the document. The “Q” could just as easily stand for “Quentin.” I have no way of knowing. The point is, whether the law requires it or not, the best practice is to use your full, true name on any identification including a driver’s license or a passport.
– Jack Crawford, Saugus
A. Thanks, Jack.
HONKIN’ FACT: In 1913, there were 33 motor-vehicle deaths for every 10,000 vehicles registered in the United States, according to the National Safety Council. In 2021, the latest statistic available, that death rate had nosedived to 1.66. By the way, back in ’13 there were 1.3 million registered vehicles, compared to 282 million in ’21.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
