Is advancing age a reason to stop driving? Not necessarily. Getting older is “... not the sole predictor of driving ability and safety,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Many people can continue to drive safely into their later years. However, the NHTSA does note that age-related changes to things like vision, hearing, and reflexes can have a negative effect on driving skills. And these changes could increase the risk of a crash.

Is your loved one at risk?

It’s not always easy to determine whether your loved one is still able to drive safely. After all, they’re not likely to tell you they’re having issues—especially if they think they’ll have to give up the independence of driving. In fact, they may even try to hide any problems they’re having.

You can get a firsthand sense of how they’re doing by going for a drive with them. Try to make it a regular practice so you can stay aware of any changes. If you aren’t able to go with them yourself, ask friends or relatives what they’ve observed.

10 questions to ask

The NHTSA has a list of 10 questions that can help you determine whether it’s time for you to talk with your loved one about driving. Can you answer yes to any of these questions?

• Are there new dents or scratches on their car?
• Have they had a near-miss or a crash recently?
• Do they speed or drive too slowly for no reason?
• Have they gotten a ticket for a moving violation?
• Have they received a ticket for impaired driving?
• Are they getting lost on familiar routes?
• Do they get overwhelmed by road signs and lane markings while they’re driving?
• Could their medications affect their ability to drive safely?
• Do they have an illness or medical condition that could affect driving skills? 
• Has a health care provider advised them to limit or stop driving because of health issues?

Next steps

If you notice any of these issues, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your loved one’s safety.

Have a conversation with your loved one about your concerns, keeping in mind that the topic of driving is often a sensitive one with older adults. When you talk to them about driving, it’s important to let them know that:

• You value their independence as much as they do.
• Safety is your focus, for them and for others on the road—especially since distracted driving is more common across all ages of drivers.
• Your goal is to create a plan with them that will support their quality of life.

Once you’ve started the discussion with your loved one, you might recommend that they talk to their primary care provider (PCP). There may be underlying health reasons for the changes in their driving ability. Addressing these health issues may make driving safer for your loved one—and may not require any intervention on your part.

You might also suggest that your loved one have a driving assessment. These programs provide objective evaluation of vision and spatial awareness, as well as physical and mental reaction time. Once completed, your loved one will receive recommendations like whether a refresher course or adaptive equipment could help them continue driving safely.

Resources

• NHTSA: www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers
  A section of the NHTSA website that’s dedicated to road safety and older drivers.
• Massachusetts RMV: www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-rmv-information-for-older-drivers
  Webpage focused on older drivers with information about safe driving workshops and warning signs of unsafe driving, as well as resources for caregivers.
• AAA’s Senior Driver Safety & Mobility webpage: exchange.aaa.com/safety/senior-driver-safety-mobility/
  Includes information about evaluating driving ability, changing vehicle technology, and mobility beyond driving.

Second post in this 2-part series: How to talk about problems with driving

Posted: November 2019
Updated: November 2025

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