Losing your ability to drive, whether self-imposed or dictated, is one of the biggest blows to independence that a senior citizen can suffer.

As more people outlive the ability to drive, many states have driver licensing laws aimed at the three functions that are important for driving: vision, cognition and motor skills. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have special provisions for mature drivers. They include accelerated renewal frequency, restrictions on mail-in or on-line renewals, vision tests and road tests.

Kansas for example, shortens the renewal frequency from 6 to 4 yea...