As people get older, their driving abilities tend to decline. By age 75, there are normal age-related changes that can affect driving skills. However, age alone does not determine driving ability. While some 75-year-olds may need to stop driving for safety reasons, many seniors can continue driving safely into their late 70s, 80s and beyond.
What are the driving requirements for seniors?
There is no universal mandatory retirement age for driving. Driving laws and requirements for seniors vary by state in the U.S. Some states require more frequent license renewals or medical exams for older drivers. But most states do not have special driving tests or restrictions based solely on age. Instead, the focus is on the individual’s fitness to drive safely.
All states require vision testing for license renewals. Most require in-person renewals starting at age 65-80. Some states require road tests for seniors with concerning medical conditions or traffic violations. But age itself does not trigger driving restrictions or testing in most states.
How does aging affect driving abilities?
Normal aging brings physical and mental changes that can gradually impair driving skills. Common age-related issues include:
- Reduced vision – Declining eyesight, glare sensitivity, reduced peripheral vision.
- Physical limitations – Stiff joints, weaker muscles, reduced flexibility and range of motion.
- Slower reflexes and processing speed – Difficulty reacting and making quick decisions.
- Hearing loss – Problems detecting emergency sirens and car horns.
- Medical conditions – Illnesses like arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease.
- Side effects of medications – Many prescription drugs cause drowsiness.
These kinds of functional declines can start to interfere with driving abilities like:
- Turning your head to check blind spots
- Pressing the brake pedal quickly
- Reacting appropriately to stop signs and signals
- Judging gaps in traffic
- Maintaining proper lane position
- Seeing pedestrians, cyclists and road signs
The good news is there are often ways to adapt and compensate. For example, getting a stronger eyeglass prescription, taking a refresher driving course, avoiding risky driving situations, or making vehicle modifications can help counteract age-related declines.
What are the statistics on senior drivers?
Here are some key statistics on older drivers in the U.S. from studies by the IIHS and NHTSA:
| Age Group | Number of Licensed Drivers | Annual Vehicle Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 70-74 | 18.7 million | 7,646 miles |
| Ages 75-79 | 13.5 million | 6,747 miles |
| Ages 80+ | 9.4 million | 5,359 miles |
Some key takeaways:
- Over 40 million licensed drivers in the U.S. are aged 65+.
- Almost 10 million are 80+ yet still driving.
- Annual mileage tends to decline with age due to retirement, relocation, limiting driving situations, or voluntarily surrendering licenses.
Crash rates
In general, fatal crash rates increase starting around age 75 and are highest among drivers 85+. However, rates vary significantly depending on factors like:
- Health, functional ability, and driving habits of the individual
- Amount of driving experience
- Familiarity with the local area
- Type of roads driven on (interstate vs local streets)
- Time of day driven
- Weather conditions
Interestingly, when mileage is taken into account, overall crash rates for senior drivers 70+ are lower than for teenage drivers. But fatal crash rates are higher due to seniors’ increased fragility.
| Age Group | Fatal Crashes Per Mile Driven |
|---|---|
| Ages 16-19 | 4.5 per 100 million miles |
| Ages 70-74 | 3.1 per 100 million miles |
| Ages 75-79 | 3.7 per 100 million miles |
| Ages 80+ | 4.1 per 100 million miles |
Common types of accidents for seniors
While accident causes vary greatly, some types seen more often among older drivers include:
- Failure to yield – Misjudging gaps in traffic, often at intersections or left turns.
- Lane deviation – Wandering out of lane due to drowsiness, confusion, poor vision.
- Backing up – Limited vision and flexibility make reversing challenging.
- Parking lot accidents – Difficulty judging distances, seeing pedestrians.
- Medical impairments – Blackouts, seizures, strokes, or uncontrolled diabetes.
- Medication side effects – Dizziness, slowed reactions, confusion.
Many accidents also involve factors like poor road conditions, excessive speed, or alcohol impairment – issues not unique to older drivers.
Warning signs that driving skills may be declining
Family and friends can help spot red flags that an older adult’s driving abilities are declining. Warning signs include:
- Having more fender benders or “close calls”
- Scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage
- Trouble seeing road signs in time to respond
- Moving very slowly or impeding other traffic
- Other drivers often honk horns
- Issuing tickets for running stop signs, speeding, or causing crashes
- Always driving well under the speed limit
- Avoiding driving on highways, at night, or in bad weather
- Seeming overwhelmed by traffic
- Becoming confused on familiar, routine routes
- Forgetting how to make turns or work the pedals
- Not noticing pedestrians, cyclists, or red lights
Any difficulties that seem new or worsening over time should prompt a conversation with the doctor. Many times it just requires adjustming to new limitations.
How family can help older drivers
Instead of demanding they stop driving, family can help older drivers adapt:
- Ride with them to evaluate and offer feedback
- Refresh skills with a mature driver course
- Discuss limiting driving (nighttime, highways, bad weather)
- Arrange alternative transportation options
- Update vehicle with assistive devices like swivel cushions, steering knobs, or pedal extenders
- Visit the eye doctor and update prescriptions
- Review all medications with the doctor
- Treat any medical/physical conditions affecting driving ability
- Suggest voluntary additional testing through the DMV
Most older drivers want to drive safely and will listen to constructive feedback from loved ones. The key is broaching the topic tactfully, focusing on concern for their well-being.
How doctors assess driving fitness in seniors
Doctors have a duty to report patients who are unsafe to drive due to medical impairments. Assessment tools include:
- Vision tests – Visual acuity, peripheral vision, night vision.
- Hearing test – Ability to hear horns and sirens.
- Cognitive exam – Judgment, reaction time, memory, reasoning.
- Physical exam – Muscle tone, range of motion, flexibility.
- Medical history – Any conditions or medications affecting driving fitness.
- Driving history – Recent incidents, limitations, or family concerns.
Doctors may refer at-risk patients for a formal driving evaluation, OT therapy to improve skills, or vision/hearing aids to better compensate for deficits.
Options if driving must be stopped
When driving is no longer safe, here are some alternative transportation options:
- Rides from family, neighbors, friends
- Public transportation (buses, trains, paratransit)
- Senior shuttle services
- Taxis, ride-hailing services like Uber/Lyft
- Volunteer driver programs
- Walkable community design features
Losing the ability to drive is a difficult transition. Support and understanding from family and healthcare providers can ease the process. Exploring alternative options to retain mobility and independence is crucial for quality of life.
Conclusion
Age alone does not determine driving ability. While some functional declines are normal with aging, many 75-year-olds and older can drive safely by adapting their skills and habits. Warning signs of unsafe driving should be addressed through conversations with doctors and family. With support, many seniors can continue driving well into old age – but options exist if giving up the keys becomes essential.