By Susan Lindsey
Staff Reporter

Articles circulating around the internet about new senior drivers licensing regulations prove that not everything that poses as news is real news.

Recent articles state a new federal rule from the United States Department of Transportation requires drivers over the age of 70 to undergo eye exams, cognitive tests and road tests to maintain a drivers license. The articles claim drivers 70 to 80 will have to renew their drivers license every four years; ages 81 to 86 must renew every two years; and drivers 87-years of age and older must renew yearly with a mandatory road test.

The articles began circulating on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook in June. They claimed the new rule was to take effect July 1.

Recently updated versions state the effective date is August 1.

“I’m seeing this is a rumor and there’s been no federal law that’s requiring drivers to do what this post says,” stated Sgt. Ethan Sartor, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman.

A search of Snopes, a website dedicated to fact-checking and debunking misinformation, also confirmed.

According to Snopes, the articles are likely generated by artificial-intelligence and clickbait.

See next week’s issue of the Tribune for more on this story.