Driver's license renewal alternatives.

Existing law requires an application for renewal of a driver's license to be made at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles by the person to whom the license was issued. Existing law also requires renewal of a license to be under the terms and conditions prescribed by the department. This bill, until January 1, 2035, would authorize the Director of Motor Vehicles to establish a program to evaluate the traffic safety and other effects of renewing driver's licenses by virtual or other remote processes. The bill would prohibit the program from granting such a renewal to a person who is 70 years of age or older without a test of the eyesight of the applicant. The bill would also prohibit the department from renewing a license by virtual or other remote processes when the license has been previously renewed by that method or by mail 2 consecutive times for 5-year periods or if the applicant is 80 years of age or older. The bill would authorize the director to terminate the renewal by virtual or other remote processes at any time. The bill would require the department to provide a report on the program to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2034.