Image of an older Asian man driving a car

The turning point: should you stop driving?

The question of surrendering our drivers licence touches on autonomy, capability and readiness. But the key consideration is safety: ours and others on the roads. 5 min read

Last updated: 11 September 2024

Sooner or later, many of us will face the decision to surrender our driver’s licences. As with other life transitions, this prospective change can trigger a host of emotions, and we may all respond differently.

For some people, no longer being able to drive may bring relief or acceptance. Other people may feel frustration and sadness, because driving can be a significant factor in our independence.

Perhaps a friend has expressed concern that you’re no longer driving safely, or a family member believes your health is impacting your driving. Giving up driving can be a challenging point in life, not just for us, but for those around us – particularly if they have been involved in the decision.

When do you have to stop driving?

There’s no official maximum age at which we must stop driving, but there are laws that relate to driving when we’re older. These vary from state to state in Australia:

ACT: Drivers over 75 must undergo an annual medical examination by their doctor. Visit Access Canberra’s ‘Medical conditions and fitness to drive’ webpage
New South Wales: Drivers over 75 must have an annual medical assessment to keep their licence. Drivers over 85 must also pass a driving test every second year. You can also choose to have a modified licence that allows you drive short distances in your local area. Visit the state government’s ‘Your licence from age 70’ webpage
Northern Territory: Drivers must report any medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive. Health professionals may also report their opinion that a person is unfit to drive. Visit Road Safety NT’s ‘Towards zero: seniors’ webpage
Queensland: Drivers over 75 must carry a valid medical certificate (renewed every 13 months) when they drive. Visit the state government’s ‘Senior drivers: safe driving’ webpage
South Australia: Drivers over 75 need to fill out a Driver Medical Assessment, which is mailed out each year a month before their birthday. Visit the state government’s ‘Fitness to drive’ webpage
Tasmania: Drivers must report any medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive. Visit the state government’s ‘Driving as you age’ webpage
Victoria: Drivers of all ages must report any serious or chronic medical condition or disability that may affect their ability to drive. There are currently no other requirements for drivers over 75. Visit the state government’s ‘Age and driving safely’ webpage
Western Australia: Drivers over 80 must have an annual medical assessment to keep their licence and may need to pass a practical test if recommended by their doctor. Visit the state Road Safety Commission’s ‘Seniors’ webpage

Why it might be time to stop driving

The question of when to stop driving may come from someone around us. We ourselves might start to think that driving is getting more stressful or difficult. Or it might become medically necessary that we surrender our licence.

Some age-related medical issues can make driving unsafe, for example:

deterioration in hearing or eyesight
onset of conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s disease
new medications that cause drowsiness or loss of alertness
stiffness in muscles or joints, or slower reaction times and reflexes

The most important consideration is safety – both ours and that of others using the roads. Even though keeping up our licence may support our independence, we all have a responsibility to ensure that if we are still driving, we’re still fit to drive.

In Victoria in 2019, almost 18% of all driver fatalities were people aged over 70.1
People aged over 70 make up 14% of the South Australian population but represent 22% of lives lost on the roads.2
If a car accident happens, an older person is generally more likely to be killed or injured than a younger person.

Assess your own driving

Even if you’re not required by law to undergo a medical assessment or test to continue driving, we are all responsible for making sure we are fit to drive.

Think back to your recent driving experiences. Did you find the roads, traffic or navigating your way more confusing, stressful or even scary? Did you have a passenger who commented on your driving? Are you avoiding driving in conditions you usually felt confident with, such as at night-time or when it’s raining?

A decision aid, such as this one from the University of Wollongong, is a great resource for assessing whether giving up driving is the right choice.

Listen to concern from others

When family, friends or care professionals express their concern about us continuing to drive, their comments may come as a surprise. We might even disagree with them completely.

It can be a difficult topic for people to bring up, so are they likely to mention it for no reason? Try to be open to hearing what they are concerned about. Have other people mentioned it as well?

How to broach the topic with an older person

While this may not be an easy conversation, it’s an important one to have if you are genuinely concerned about the older driver getting into an accident – or causing one.

It’s important not to assume that your older family member or friend should stop driving simply because of their age – what ultimately matters is how safely they drive. Many older drivers are perfectly capable of driving.

Understand that while giving up driving may not seem like a big deal to you, it is a significant change for them. Losing that function can affect their sense of independence or be a reminder of the realities of ageing.

For some older people, it may also represent the end of something that played an important part in their life (particularly for those who earned their living driving).

Try to approach the topic when everyone is calm and comfortable, ideally in a familiar environment. Avoid having the chat in the car or directly after a stressful driving experience.
Talk through your specific concerns and give examples. Focus on safety rather than any decrease in ability.
Be prepared to suggest alternatives, such as using a meal delivery service or supermarket delivery for their food shopping or getting lifts with family and friends.
If your concern isn’t well received on the first attempt, leave it for a while and bring it up again another day.

Maintaining independence

No longer driving may take some getting used to, but with some willingness, effort and support, we can find other ways to stay independent and get about.

Get to know the local public transport network.
Use taxis or ‘ride-share’ services, such as Uber. This may work out cheaper than owning and maintaining your car!
Explore your eligibility for transport support in My Aged Care.
Find out whether your local council or seniors group runs community transport programs.
Walk or ride a bicycle or tricycle, if your fitness allows, or consider a mobility scooter.
Arrange lifts with family or friends.