Driving when you have

arthritis

■ For most people, driving represents

freedom, control and competence.

Driving enables most people to get to the

places they want or need to go. For many

people, driving is important economically

– some drive as part of their job or to get

to and from work. 

■ Driving is a complex skill. Our ability to

drive safely can be affected by changes in

our physical, emotional and mental

condition. 

■ The goal of this brochure is to help you,

your family and your health care

professional talk about how arthritis may

affect your ability to drive safely.

How can arthritis affect my

driving?

■ Having arthritis can make your joints

swollen and stiff, which can limit how far

you can bend or move your shoulders,

hands, head and neck. This can make it

harder to grasp or turn the steering

wheel, apply the brake and gas pedals,

put on your safety belt or look over your

shoulder to check your blind spot. 

■ As a result, arthritis can make it harder

for you to drive safely. If arthritis affects

your hips, knees, ankles or feet, you also

may have difficulty getting in and out of

your car. 

Can I still drive with arthritis?

■ Yes, most people can drive safely with

arthritis. It depends on which joints are

affected, and how well you and your

doctor are able to manage your

condition. Your doctor cares about your

health and safety, and will work with you

and your loved ones to manage your care. 

■ If you use medicine to treat your arthritis,

make sure it doesn’t make you sleepy.

Ask your doctor about other treatments

that can help with your pain, swelling,

and soreness – treatments that will not

make it difficult to drive safely. 

■ Arthritis can limit your movement and

strength, so try to stay fit and active.

Doing so will help you to keep driving

safely. Ask your doctor about exercises to

keep your joints strong and supple. 

What can I do when arthritis

affects my driving?

■ Your doctor can refer you to a

rehabilitation center or a specialist who

can determine if, and how, your arthritis

is affecting your driving. The specialist

may offer training to improve your

driving skills. That training may include

how to use special devices that you can

have installed in your car to make it

easier for you to drive safely. You will

need training on the use of those devices,

however, before beginning to drive with

them. 

■ Improving your driving skills could help

keep you and others around you safe. To

find a driver rehabilitation specialist near

you, go to www.aota.org/olderdriver and

look up the name of a specialist in your

state. You also can call hospitals and

rehabilitation facilities to find an

occupational therapist who can help with

the driving skills assessment and

remediation, and with choosing and

using the special devices to make it easier

for you to drive with arthritis.

Depending on where you live, you may

need to travel to nearby communities to

find these services.

What if I have to cut back or

give up driving?

■ You can keep your independence even if

you have to cut back or give up on your

driving. It may take planning ahead on

your part, but it will get you to the places

you want to go and the people you want

to see. Consider:

◆ rides with family and friends;

◆ taxi cabs;

◆ shuttle buses or vans; 

◆ public buses, trains and subways; and

◆ walking.

■ Also, senior centers, and religious and

other local service groups often offer

transportation services for older adults in

your community.
Who can I call for help with

transportation?

Call the ElderCare Locator at 

1-800-677-1116 and ask for the

phone number of your local Office on

Aging, or go to their website at

www.eldercare.gov.

■ Contact your regional transit authority

to find out which bus or train to take.

Call Easter Seals Project ACTION

(Accessible Community Transportation

In Our Nation) at 1-800-659-6428

or go to their website at

www.easterseals.com/

transportation.

Where do I find out more

about arthritis?

Your first step is to talk with your health

care professional. You also can contact the:

Arthritis Foundation

1-800-283-7800

www.arthritis.org

American Academy of Orthopaedic

Surgeons

1-800-346-AAOS

(1-800-346-2267)

www.aaos.org

National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Information Clearinghouse

1-877-226-4267

www.niams.nih.gov

You also can get a copy of the “Age

Page On Older Drivers” from the

National Institute on Aging by calling

1-800-222-2225, or by going to their

website at www.niapublications.org/

engagepages/drivers.asp

Wear your safety belt

Always wear your safety belt when you are

driving or riding in a car. If arthritis makes

it difficult for you to use your safety belt,

speak with a driving specialist who can often

help you find devices to make buckling up

much easier. Make sure that every person

who is riding with you also is buckled up.

Wear your safety belt even if your car has 

air bags.

DOT HS 809 686 March 2004

Arthritis

Driving 

When 

You 

Have