Older Driver Safety

Getting older does not necessarily mean a person's driving days are over. But some of the changes you experience as you get older can affect your ability to drive safely. The good news is that people who keep track of changes in their eyesight, physical fitness and reflexes may be able to adjust their driving habits so they stay safe on the road.

It is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road. NHTSA offers free materials to help you learn more about how to recognize and discuss changes in your older loved one's driving. If you think you need to have a conversation with an older driver about his or her driving abilities, remember that many older drivers look at driving as a form of independence. Bringing up the subject of their driving abilities can make some drivers defensive. So, be prepared with your observations and questions, and - if necessary - provide possible transportation alternatives.

View "The State of Aging in TN, A County-by-County Snapshot". 

Answering the following questions may help you decide if you need to initiate a conversation with an older driver about driving safely:

  • Getting lost on routes that should be familiar?
  • Noticing new dents or scratches to the vehicle?
  • Receiving a ticket for a driving violation?
  • Experiencing a near miss or crash recently?
  • Being advised to limit/stop driving due to a health reason?
  • Overwhelmed by road signs and markings while driving?
  • Taking any medication that might affect driving safely?
  • Speeding or driving too slowly for no reason?
  • Suffering of any illnesses that may affect driving skills?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to drive while taking my current medications?

Please consult your doctor or health professional. To get an idea for the interactions of some of your medicine, you can visit www.roadwiserx.com.

What is the crash rate of senior drivers compared to that of younger drivers?

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that by 2025, 40 percent of fatal crashes will be due to age-related difficulties, with visual and cognitive impairments as major contributing factors. Vision begins to decline around age 45, and some reasons can’t be corrected with eyeglasses. Medical conditions such as arthritis that can cause stiffness or pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or ankles can also reduce mobility and hinder driving abilities. The ability to think quickly and react immediately is necessary for driving, but the brain processes information more slowly with aging. To counteract these and other issues, medication that can further hinder the ability to drive is often prescribed, causing drowsiness, slower reaction times, reduced energy levels, and other effects that interfere with driving.

How are crashes involving older drivers different from those of other ages?

Seniors have fewer crashes but are more seriously injured when involved in a crash because of frailer bodies. With drivers over 75 being more likely to die in a traffic accident then younger drivers simply because they are generally more fragile and less able to withstand severe physical injuries.

How does age impact my driving ability?

As we age our vision begins to degenerate making it harder to see traffic signals, road signs, pedestrians, and on-coming traffic. Aging vision also makes it harder to see at night due to a decrease in our eyes ability to make adjustments when changing from darker to brighter, and brighter to darker environments. Physical ailments also begin to develop as we age such as arthritis that can cause stiffness or pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or ankles can also reduce mobility and hinder driving abilities. The ability to think quickly and react immediately is necessary for driving, but the brain processes information more slowly with aging. To counteract these and other issues, medication that can further hinder the ability to drive is often prescribed, causing drowsiness, slower reaction times, reduced energy levels, and other effects that interfere with driving.

No, the means of renewing your license are the same. However, effective January 1, 2013, persons age 60 or older having a non-photo driver license issued December 31, 2012 or prior to that date, are permitted to retain the non-photo driver license. Applicants who obtain age 60 on January 1, 2013 or after, will not qualify for a non-photo drivers license based on age only. Note: Under Tennessee law, a non-photo Driver License will no longer be accepted as identification for the purpose of voting effective January 1, 2013.

Does Tennessee have any age specific driving regulations?

Past the initial age restriction of 18 years of age there are no regulations based on age, and for senior drivers there are no regulations based on age alone. However, anyone the Commissioner has reason to believe would be unable to to operate a motor vehicle safely because of mental or physical disabilities.

When should I stop driving?

Only you can decide when to stop driving. Factors to consider include changes in vision, cognition, and physical function. Medical conditions are another concern, as well as the use of medications. Consult your family about how they perceive your ability to drive, and your doctor for their opinion on whether any medication you are taking may hinder your ability to drive safely. 

How can I get my driving assessed by a professional?

In-depth assessments by trained professionals are the best way to know the true level and cause of a decline in driving behavior. In some cases, a professional assessment will help a senior driver decide whether to continue driving and if so, under what conditions.

Tennessee Approved Driver Education Courses

Senior Driving Discount of America

(888) 541-5576

Go Driving Academy LLC AGN Enterprise

(931) 436-7766

Interactive Education Concepts, Inc. DBA Defensive Driving by IMPROV  

(800) 660-8908

American Safety Council Inc

(800) 771-2255

AARP Driver Safety

(202) 434-2813

AAA Auto Club Group

(866) 659-1317

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Contact: Rhiannon Chambers