AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Older Drivers 

At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s a good driver, 

and she would like to stay that way. But lately, 

she has been in minor accidents. Sheila 

wonders how she can stay safe behind the 

wheel. Will taking a class for older drivers help?

You may have asked yourself this 

question, or maybe a family member 

or friend has asked about your driving. 

Getting older doesn’t make you a bad 

driver. But you should know there are 

changes that may affect driving skills 

over time.

Your Body

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and 

your muscles may weaken. This can 

make it harder to turn your head to 

look back, turn the steering wheel 

quickly, or brake safely. 

What you can do:

F	 See your doctor if you think that 

pain or stiffness gets in the way of 

your driving.
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Older Drivers 

At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s a good driver, 

and she would like to stay that way. But lately, 

she has been in minor accidents. Sheila 

wonders how she can stay safe behind the 

wheel. Will taking a class for older drivers help?

You may have asked yourself this 

question, or maybe a family member 

or friend has asked about your driving. 

Getting older doesn’t make you a bad 

driver. But you should know there are 

changes that may affect driving skills 

over time.

Your Body

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and 

your muscles may weaken. This can 

make it harder to turn your head to 

look back, turn the steering wheel 

quickly, or brake safely. 

What you can do:

F	 See your doctor if you think that 

pain or stiffness gets in the way of 

your driving.

F	 If possible, drive a car with automatic 

transmission, power steering, power 

brakes, and large mirrors.

F	 Be physically active or exercise to 

keep and even improve your strength 

and flexibility. 

Your Vision

Your eyesight may change as you get 

older. At night, you may have trouble 

seeing things clearly. Glare can also be 

a problem—from oncoming headlights, 

street lights, or the sun. It might be 

harder to see people, things, and 

movements outside your direct line of 

sight. It may take you longer to read 

street or traffic signs or even recognize 

familiar places. Eye diseases, such as 

glaucoma, cataracts, and macular 

degeneration, as well as some medicines, 

may also change your vision. 

What you can do:

F	 Have your vision checked every 2 to 

4 years if you are age 40 to 64 and 

every 1 to 2 years if you are 65 or 

older, as recommended by the 

American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

There are many vision problems your 

doctor can treat.
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Older Drivers 

At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s a good driver, 

and she would like to stay that way. But lately, 

she has been in minor accidents. Sheila 

wonders how she can stay safe behind the 

wheel. Will taking a class for older drivers help?

You may have asked yourself this 

question, or maybe a family member 

or friend has asked about your driving. 

Getting older doesn’t make you a bad 

driver. But you should know there are 

changes that may affect driving skills 

over time.

Your Body

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and 

your muscles may weaken. This can 

make it harder to turn your head to 

look back, turn the steering wheel 

quickly, or brake safely. 

What you can do:

F	 See your doctor if you think that 

pain or stiffness gets in the way of 

your driving.

F	 If possible, drive a car with automatic 

transmission, power steering, power 

brakes, and large mirrors.

F	 Be physically active or exercise to 

keep and even improve your strength 

and flexibility. 

Your Vision

Your eyesight may change as you get 

older. At night, you may have trouble 

seeing things clearly. Glare can also be 

a problem—from oncoming headlights, 

street lights, or the sun. It might be 

harder to see people, things, and 

movements outside your direct line of 

sight. It may take you longer to read 

street or traffic signs or even recognize 

familiar places. Eye diseases, such as 

glaucoma, cataracts, and macular 

degeneration, as well as some medicines, 

may also change your vision. 

What you can do:

F	 Have your vision checked every 2 to 

4 years if you are age 40 to 64 and 

every 1 to 2 years if you are 65 or 

older, as recommended by the 

American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

There are many vision problems your 

doctor can treat.
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Older Drivers 

At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s a good driver, 

and she would like to stay that way. But lately, 

she has been in minor accidents. Sheila 

wonders how she can stay safe behind the 

wheel. Will taking a class for older drivers help?

You may have asked yourself this 

question, or maybe a family member 

or friend has asked about your driving. 

Getting older doesn’t make you a bad 

driver. But you should know there are 

changes that may affect driving skills 

over time.

Your Body

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and 

your muscles may weaken. This can 

make it harder to turn your head to 

look back, turn the steering wheel 

quickly, or brake safely. 

What you can do:

F	 See your doctor if you think that 

pain or stiffness gets in the way of 

your driving.

F	 If possible, drive a car with automatic 

transmission, power steering, power 

brakes, and large mirrors.

F	 Be physically active or exercise to 

keep and even improve your strength 

and flexibility. 

Your Vision

Your eyesight may change as you get 

older. At night, you may have trouble 

seeing things clearly. Glare can also be 

a problem—from oncoming headlights, 

street lights, or the sun. It might be 

harder to see people, things, and 

movements outside your direct line of 

sight. It may take you longer to read 

street or traffic signs or even recognize 

familiar places. Eye diseases, such as 

glaucoma, cataracts, and macular 

degeneration, as well as some medicines, 

may also change your vision. 

What you can do:

F	 Have your vision checked every 2 to 

4 years if you are age 40 to 64 and 

every 1 to 2 years if you are 65 or 

older, as recommended by the 

American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

There are many vision problems your 

doctor can treat.
8 9 

If you answered yes to any of these 

questions, it may be time to think about 

whether or not you are still a safe driver. 

How Will You Get Around?

Are you worried that, if you stop driving, 

you won’t be able to do the things you 

want and need to do? You’re not alone. 

Many people have this concern, but 

there may be more ways to get around 

than you think. For example, some 

areas offer free or low-cost bus or taxi 

service for older people. Some communities also have carpools that you can 

join without a car. Religious and civic 

groups sometimes have volunteers who 

will drive you where you want to go. 

Your local Area Agency on Aging can 

help you find services in your area. Call 

800-677-1116, or go to www.eldercare.gov 

to find the nearest Area Agency on Aging.

You can also think about taking taxis. 

Sound pricey? Don’t forget—it costs a 

lot to own a car. If you don’t have to buy 

a car or pay for insurance, maintenance, 

gas, oil, or other car expenses, then you 

may be able to afford to take taxis or 

other public transportation. You can 

also help buy gas for friends or family 

who give you rides. 

F	 Update your driving skills by taking 

a driving refresher course. (Hint: 

Some car insurance companies may 

lower your bill when you pass this type 

of class.)

Is It Time To Give Up Driving?

We all age differently. For this reason, 

there is no way to set one age when 

everyone should stop driving. So, how 

do you know if you should stop? To help 

you decide, ask yourself:

F	 Do other drivers often honk at me?

F	 Have I had some accidents, even if 

they are only “fender benders”?

F	 Do I get lost, even on roads I know?

F	 Do cars or people walking seem to 

appear out of nowhere?

F	 Have family, friends, or my doctor 

said they are worried about my 

driving?

F	 Am I driving less these days because 

I am not as sure about my driving 

as I used to be? 

F	 Do I have trouble staying in my lane?

F	 Do I have trouble moving my foot 

between the gas and the brake 

pedals, or do I confuse the two?
8 9 

If you answered yes to any of these 

questions, it may be time to think about 

whether or not you are still a safe driver. 

How Will You Get Around?

Are you worried that, if you stop driving, 

you won’t be able to do the things you 

want and need to do? You’re not alone. 

Many people have this concern, but 

there may be more ways to get around 

than you think. For example, some 

areas offer free or low-cost bus or taxi 

service for older people. Some communities also have carpools that you can 

join without a car. Religious and civic 

groups sometimes have volunteers who 

will drive you where you want to go. 

Your local Area Agency on Aging can 

help you find services in your area. Call 

800-677-1116, or go to www.eldercare.gov 

to find the nearest Area Agency on Aging.

You can also think about taking taxis. 

Sound pricey? Don’t forget—it costs a 

lot to own a car. If you don’t have to buy 

a car or pay for insurance, maintenance, 

gas, oil, or other car expenses, then you 

may be able to afford to take taxis or 

other public transportation. You can 

also help buy gas for friends or family 

who give you rides. 

F	 Update your driving skills by taking 

a driving refresher course. (Hint: 

Some car insurance companies may 

lower your bill when you pass this type 

of class.)

Is It Time To Give Up Driving?

We all age differently. For this reason, 

there is no way to set one age when 

everyone should stop driving. So, how 

do you know if you should stop? To help 

you decide, ask yourself:

F	 Do other drivers often honk at me?

F	 Have I had some accidents, even if 

they are only “fender benders”?

F	 Do I get lost, even on roads I know?

F	 Do cars or people walking seem to 

appear out of nowhere?

F	 Have family, friends, or my doctor 

said they are worried about my 

driving?

F	 Am I driving less these days because 

I am not as sure about my driving 

as I used to be? 

F	 Do I have trouble staying in my lane?

F	 Do I have trouble moving my foot 

between the gas and the brake 

pedals, or do I confuse the two?
8 9 

If you answered yes to any of these 

questions, it may be time to think about 

whether or not you are still a safe driver. 

How Will You Get Around?

Are you worried that, if you stop driving, 

you won’t be able to do the things you 

want and need to do? You’re not alone. 

Many people have this concern, but 

there may be more ways to get around 

than you think. For example, some 

areas offer free or low-cost bus or taxi 

service for older people. Some communities also have carpools that you can 

join without a car. Religious and civic 

groups sometimes have volunteers who 

will drive you where you want to go. 

Your local Area Agency on Aging can 

help you find services in your area. Call 

800-677-1116, or go to www.eldercare.gov 

to find the nearest Area Agency on Aging.

You can also think about taking taxis. 

Sound pricey? Don’t forget—it costs a 

lot to own a car. If you don’t have to buy 

a car or pay for insurance, maintenance, 

gas, oil, or other car expenses, then you 

may be able to afford to take taxis or 

other public transportation. You can 

also help buy gas for friends or family 

who give you rides. 

F	 Update your driving skills by taking 

a driving refresher course. (Hint: 

Some car insurance companies may 

lower your bill when you pass this type 

of class.)

Is It Time To Give Up Driving?

We all age differently. For this reason, 

there is no way to set one age when 

everyone should stop driving. So, how 

do you know if you should stop? To help 

you decide, ask yourself:

F	 Do other drivers often honk at me?

F	 Have I had some accidents, even if 

they are only “fender benders”?

F	 Do I get lost, even on roads I know?

F	 Do cars or people walking seem to 

appear out of nowhere?

F	 Have family, friends, or my doctor 

said they are worried about my 

driving?

F	 Am I driving less these days because 

I am not as sure about my driving 

as I used to be? 

F	 Do I have trouble staying in my lane?

F	 Do I have trouble moving my foot 

between the gas and the brake 

pedals, or do I confuse the two?
8 

F	 Update your driving skills by taking 

a driving refresher course. (Hint: 

Some car insurance companies may 

lower your bill when you pass this type 

of class.)

Is It Time To Give Up Driving?

We all age differently. For this reason, 

there is no way to set one age when 

everyone should stop driving. So, how 

do you know if you should stop? To help 

you decide, ask yourself:

F	 Do other drivers often honk at me?

F	 Have I had some accidents, even if 

they are only “fender benders”?

F	 Do I get lost, even on roads I know?

F	 Do cars or people walking seem to 

appear out of nowhere?

F	 Have family, friends, or my doctor 

said they are worried about my 

driving?

F	 Am I driving less these days because 

I am not as sure about my driving 

as I used to be? 

F	 Do I have trouble staying in my lane?

F	 Do I have trouble moving my foot 

between the gas and the brake 

pedals, or do I confuse the two?