A recent national poll by the University of Michigan has found that while most adults aged 65 and older continue to drive regularly, less than half have made plans for when they may no longer be able to drive safely due to health changes. The survey, conducted by the U-M National Poll on Healthy Aging with input from experts at the U-M Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), highlights gaps in preparation among older drivers as their driving abilities evolve.
According to the poll, 84% of people age 65 and above drive at least once a week, and 62% do so most days. However, only about 54% have considered or developed a plan for eventually giving up driving. Women and individuals over age 75 were more likely to have such plans compared to men and those between ages 65 and 74.
Renée St. Louis, a researcher at UMTRI who contributed to the report, said: “The freedom to drive where you want, when you want, is a critical part of independent living for older adults, and when it’s diminished for any reason it can have profound effects.” She added that as much of the Baby Boom generation enters their mid-60s or older, millions will need guidance and alternatives as health affects their ability to drive safely.
The study also found that informal support systems are important. In the past six months, 44% of older adults received rides from friends or family members; 21% used rideshare services like Uber or Lyft; but only 14% used public transportation. Some respondents reported lack of availability—5% said ridesharing was not available in their area and 9% said public transportation was unavailable.
Vision issues were cited by 14% of drivers as affecting their ability behind the wheel. Only a small proportion—6%—had ever discussed driving with a healthcare provider. Jeffrey Kullgren, director of the poll and primary care physician at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, commented: “This demonstrates a major opportunity for primary care providers, vision care professionals, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and others to discuss the potential impacts of specific conditions or medications on driving ability.”
Among those who had stopped driving in the last six months (10%), safety concerns (34%) and health issues (29%) were common reasons.
Awareness about formal planning tools remains low: only 16% knew about advance driving directives (ADD), which document preferences regarding future driving decisions in case of declining health. Once informed about ADDs during the survey process, however, 70% said such planning was very or somewhat important.
St. Louis and her colleague David Eby noted that these findings are relevant for organizations serving older adults as well as policymakers at all levels. They emphasized improving access to community transportation services could help seniors maintain independence even after giving up driving.
Vehicle manufacturers have introduced new safety features such as adaptive headlights and backup cameras that may help extend safe driving years for some seniors. Additionally, UMTRI partnered with Michigan officials to create Safe Drivers, Smart Options—a website offering resources in multiple languages for aging drivers and their families.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers MyMobility Plan online tools designed to help seniors prepare for future mobility needs. Other organizations like AARP and AAA provide driver education programs tailored for those over age 55; links can be found on Safe Drivers, Smart Options.
Area Agencies on Aging across the United States may offer free or discounted transport options for older residents through local government partnerships.
The poll data come from NORC at the University of Chicago’s AmeriSpeak panel; nearly three thousand Americans aged 50–97 participated via phone or online surveys in February 2025. A separate analysis focused on Michigan residents included more than thirteen hundred participants aged 50–95.
