Does My Aging Parent Need a Drivers License?

Transcript of Interview: “The Drivers License Dilemma”

Mike Barnes:

You know, in some ways it’s kind of an oxymoron about having a driver’s license. If you’re not driving anymore, why do you need one? Sometimes you do. If you don’t have a driver’s license, do you actually need an ID? What’s the purpose of it as you get older and you aren’t driving or maybe aren’t out and about as often? We get a lot of questions about this, so we are bringing in Driver License Division Chief Sheri Gipson from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Thank you so much for being with us.

Sheri Gipson:

Thank you for having me.

Kim Barnes:

We get so many questions about this because even as our parents get older, do they need that kind of identification if you will? A lot of people have a lot of comfort, even if they’re not driving, about having that driver’s license. So, let’s start with, do they need a driver’s license or do they need just an ID if they’re not driving?

Sheri Gipson:

It really depends on the family and the needs of the family. While there are certain aspects where an expired driver’s license is okay for identity purposes, there may be banking, financial, land acquisitions, or medical issues that may require a valid ID. If the person is no longer driving, we do recommend that they get an identification card so they will have that for those purposes.

Kim Barnes:

Just in case, and that way you’ve got all of that. I remember looking up when my mom’s driver’s license expired that she could still vote. I forget, there’s an age at which if it expires, you’re still able to vote, right?

Sheri Gipson:

Yes, for voting purposes, driver’s licenses and identification cards are both acceptable forms of ID. They can be expired up to four years and still be used for voting up until the age of 70. From 70 and above, the expiration date no longer matters. So, once you’ve hit 70, you can use that expired card for voting purposes the entire time. There is a website, vote.texas.gov, which has a complete list of documents and things that can be used for voting.

Kim Barnes:

Okay, gotcha. That was a big issue for my mom because she wanted to make sure she could still vote. But then, as we’ve sort of let that slide and it’s expired now, I’ve started thinking about the fact that she might need to have a valid ID for some other purposes as well.

Mike Barnes:

Like my mom, she’s in memory care. She doesn’t drive anymore, she doesn’t vote anymore, but she might still need an ID. Two questions: what do we do about getting an ID? And, because of being in memory care or assisted living, is there a better process than having to take them somewhere if that’s hard to do?

Sheri Gipson:

There are a couple of options depending on their circumstances. We can’t do homebound visits for all individuals due to staffing limitations, but for those who cannot come to the driver license office for health reasons, we coordinate with a local driver license office to have someone go to the memory care facility and process the identification card there. On the DPS website, dps.texas.gov, there’s a button on The Driver License Services page that says “Assistance for People with Disabilities.” You can submit a request there, and we will get you in contact with someone at a local office who will either make arrangements for you to come to the office at a convenient time or, if they qualify, do a homebound visit.

Kim Barnes:

That’s a great option for people who it would be traumatic to bring in, or they’re homebound or have significant mobility issues.

Sheri Gipson:

Yes, correct.

Mike Barnes:

Can you switch from a driver’s license to just an ID easily, even online, if the driver’s license isn’t expired yet?

Sheri Gipson:

Right now, switching from a driver’s license to an ID has to be done in the driver license office. The department is looking at options to use our online processes for this in the future, but as of now, it must take place in the driver license office.

Kim Barnes:

Does an ID have an expiration on it? Do you have to renew those as well?

Sheri Gipson:

Yes, the ID has an expiration of six years. It has the same renewal processes as a driver’s license. You have to come in at that sixth year, but you are allowed every other renewal period to renew it online. For those with mobility issues, we try to work it out so they can renew through the mail.

Mike Barnes:

Is there any type of fee to switch from a driver’s license to an ID?

Sheri Gipson:

Yes, there is a card fee. For a driver’s license, it’s $33, and for an ID card, it’s $15.

Kim Barnes:

Because you mentioned that after the age of 85, the driver’s license only lasts for two years, but the ID lasts for six. So, it’s almost smart if they’re not going to drive to switch to the ID because it lasts longer.

Sheri Gipson:

Correct.

Mike Barnes:

If we are making the trip to a DPS office to bring our parent to either renew their driver’s license or switch to an ID, what’s the simplest way to do it? How do we make sure we’re bringing all the information we need to make it a seamless process?

Sheri Gipson:

The department has gone to an appointment solution, so all offices offer appointments for transactions now. If you need to make an accommodation, the local office will help you get an appointment at the correct time. We’re in a transition period since we started issuing real ID-compliant cards in 2016, which requires us to get certain documents and keep those on file. For now, if you’re coming in to convert from one card to another, you need to bring an identity and lawful presence document, like a certified copy or original birth certificate or a valid US passport. You also need a social security card and proof of residence—two documents. The list of those documents is available on our website.

Kim Barnes:

Since we’re speaking about the older population, what happens if someone was born at home and never got a birth certificate?

Sheri Gipson:

We have a real ID exception process. When you contact the local driver license office, they will help you through that process. There’s no specific list of documents to bring because we try to use what they have. It may be a family Bible, census records, employment records, or a combination of different things to meet the real ID identity and lawful presence requirements.

Kim Barnes:

Does it make a difference if your driver’s license is still current versus expired when you come in to switch to an ID?

Sheri Gipson:

For now, if we already have your documents on file, you wouldn’t need to bring them in again. If not, we would need them. We recommend bringing in all the documents you may need to save you the trouble of having to come back.

Mike Barnes:

Is there an easy way to find out if the documents are already on file?

Sheri Gipson:

The easiest way would be to send an email using our customer contact, explaining what you want to do, and someone will assist by looking at your record and telling you what you need.

Mike Barnes:

We live in Texas, but we have people in the group from all over the country. Do you have a suggestion for what people should do in different states to find out about their driver’s license or ID card?

Sheri Gipson:

I recommend going to the state’s website that issues driver licenses and ID cards. Most of them will have a customer contact option. If you can’t find the information readily, fill out the customer contact information and submit it. They will get back to you with the specifics.

Kim Barnes:

Thank you for clearing up so much confusion.

Sheri Gipson:

You’re welcome.

Kim Barnes:

It is good to know. The family just has to decide if Mom or Dad actually needs a valid ID or if they can do the things they need without it. It’s nice to know there are options.

Mike Barnes:

Yes, it’s a personal decision. If you have any other topics you’d like us to discuss, let us know. Parenting Aging Parents.

*This transcript is auto-generated. Please excuse any typos or mistakes.