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Last updated: December 19, 2024

Senior Driver Facts and Statistics

Despite stereotypes, drivers 75 and older are less likely to get into fatal crashes than most other age groups.

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In 2022, the last time the United States Department of Transportation released national data, there were over 51 million licensed drivers aged 65 and older, whom we refer to as “senior” drivers.1 That’s a 43 percent increase from just 10 years earlier in 2012.

You might be surprised to learn that despite harmful stereotypes about senior drivers being dangerous on the road, older adults actually have lower crash rates than other age groups, such as teen drivers. Still, if you’re a senior driver or have one in your family, there are considerations to keep in mind about your driving ability.

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Senior Driving Statistics

We looked at the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and other federal agencies to give you an overview on senior drivers in the U.S.

Number of Senior Drivers on the Roads

As of 2022, there were over 51 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the U.S., a 43 percent increase over the past decade.

YearNumber of Licensed Drivers Over Age 65Year-over-Year Increase
201235,999,8512%
201337,014,6143%
201438,190,9613%
201540,093,8235%
201641,717,9784%
201743,590,2834%
201845,295,8804%
201947,017,4224%
202047,905,1992%
202149,605,2734%
202251,053,7003%

The state with the highest number of licensed drivers ages 65 and older was California, with 10 percent of all senior drivers in the U.S. Florida followed close behind with 8 percent. Note that the following data is from 2018, the last year the Department of Transportation released state-level driver data by age.

StateNumber of licensed drivers 65 and older, 2022
Alabama996,854
Alaska990,68
Arizona128,2614
Arkansas564,875
California507,2440
Colorado949,682
Connecticut590,872
Delaware219,321
District of Columbia72,862
Florida408,6964
Georgia147,6861
Hawaii224,551
Idaho317,449
Illinois1,735,493
Indiana1,014,867
Iowa522,069
Kansas480,298
Kentucky692,304
Louisiana829,503
Maine275,525
Maryland919,366
Massachusetts106,8444
Michigan1,912,799
Minnesota823,317
Mississippi507,124
Missouri981,590
Montana223,434
Nebraska324,391
Nevada455,265
New Hampshire318,578
New Jersey1,430,396
New Mexico357,420
New York2,830,310
North Carolina1,774,045
North Dakota112,583
Ohio1,912,135
Oklahoma576,115
Oregon798,241
Pennsylvania2,251,007
Rhode Island177,399
South Carolina940,500
South Dakota164,655
Tennessee1,157,842
Texas3,498,057
Utah370,893
Vermont131,983
Virginia1,254,781
Washington1,266,092
West Virginia337,496
Wisconsin1,038,521
Wyoming104,352

Keep each state’s general population in mind, as that greatly affects the number of senior drivers on the roads. The more drivers there are on the roads in general, the more likely there are to be high numbers of senior drivers.

Risk Factors

Statistics show male drivers 65 and older are more likely to get into crashes and likely to get into more severe crashes compared to their female counterparts,3 but this gender divide is also true regardless of age. That’s a reason why men pay more for car insurance across all age groups, not just senior

Gender of driverPercent of fatal crashes involving drivers 65 and older, 2022
Male72%
Female28%

Another risk factor is age. Among drivers age 65 and older, those above 85 had the highest in 2022, according to NHTSA data. The 80-to-84 age group had the next-highest crash rate.

Age rangeInvolvement rates for older drivers in fatal accidents, per 100,000 licensed drivers
65-6916
70-7416
75-7916
80-8417
85+19

Accidents

In 2022, 7,971 people 65 and older were killed in traffic accidents, which represents 19 percent of all traffic fatalities for that year. Older drivers also represented 14 percent of drivers involved in fatal car crashes.

In addition, older drivers are the least likely age group to get into an accident that involves speeding, and passengers killed by an accident caused by an older driver are almost four times as likely to be over 65 as under 65.

Age% of Speeding Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes
15-2031%
21-2428%
25-3424%
35-4419%
45-5415%
55-6412%
65+8%

 

Seat Belt Use

According to 2022 NHTSA data, drivers aged 65 and older wear seat belts, also known as restraints, more often than those under 65, and females tend to use them more often than males. In 2022, 69 percent of people 65 and over killed in a crash were wearing a seat belt, while only 45 percent of people under 65 were restrained.

Older drivers are slightly more likely to wear seatbelts than younger drivers. In 2022, 88 percent of drivers under age 24 wore seat belts, compared to 94 percent of drivers over age 70.4

Age group% observed wearing seat belt
16-2488%
25-6992%
70 and older94%

Impaired Driving

Driving impaired means you’re behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. In 2022, 10 percent of all senior drivers involved in fatal accidents were driving under the influence (DUI). The percentage was highest among the 65-69 age group at 13 percent.

Driver BACNumber of fatal accidents involving a driver aged 65 and older, 2022Percentage of total
0.08% or higher (impaired)89210%
Between 0.01% and 0.08% (not impaired)2183%
No alcohol7,38887%

Senior Driving Facts

There are certain medical conditions that could affect the driving of people ages 65 and older.

Age-Related Changes

  • Vision: Vision declines with age, which means older drivers are more sensitive to glare and require more time to adjust to light changes. Issues like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration worsen vision even more. They make it harder to recognize objects outside of one’s direct line of sight, see at night, or read traffic or street signs. An older driver may also have trouble recognizing familiar places.
  • Cognition: Cognition refers to a person’s memory, attention, and executive functions. Medical conditions that affect cognition include dementia, which worsens decision-making skills and memory; sleep apnea, which causes drowsiness; and medications, some of which can also cause drowsy driving.1 Cognition changes are more common among older adults.
  • Motor skills: Even though driving may not feel like a physically demanding task, controlling a vehicle and turning to view traffic require flexibility, endurance, and strength. Even entering a car and fastening the seat belt can be difficult for someone with arthritis, which causes stiffness, or with issues like Parkinson’s disease and strokes, which cause uncontrollable movements.2 Hearing impairments can also make it hard to hear sounds in and outside your car, like horns or sirens, and you may miss warnings to pull over or fail to hear mechanical issues.

Driver’s License Renewal

Because older adults are more susceptible to the above conditions, laws differ on when they can renew their driver’s licenses. Some states require proof of adequate vision as part of the renewal process.2

StateLicense renewal cycleProof of adequate vision required at renewal?Mail or online renewal permitted?
AlabamaFour years for all agesNoOnline, every other renewal
AlaskaFive years for all ages69 and older, every renewalNot permitted 69 and older
ArizonaFive years for people 65 and olderEvery renewalNo
ArkansasFour or eight years for people 70 and older (personal choice)Every other renewalNo
CaliforniaFive years for all ages70 and older, every renewalNot permitted 70 and older
ColoradoFive years for all agesEvery renewalBoth, if photograph is newer than 16 years
ConnecticutTwo years permitted for people 65 and older (personal choice)NoBoth, every other renewal
DelawareEight years for all agesEvery renewalNo
District of ColumbiaEight years for all agesEvery renewalNot permitted 70 and older
FloridaSix years for people 80 and older80 and older, every renewalBoth, every other renewal
GeorgiaEight years for all agesEvery renewalBoth, every other renewal
Hawaii2 years for people 72 and olderEvery renewalResidents 72 and older can use the mail if their license is REAL ID-compliant and they are in the state.

Effective July 1, 2025: Both, limited to two consecutive renewals, but must appear in person at least every 16 years

IdahoFour years for people 63 and olderEvery renewalNot permitted 70 and older
IllinoisFour years for people 69 – 80; Two years for people 81-86; One year for people 87 and older75 and older, every renewalNot permitted 75 and older
IndianaThree years for people 75-84; Two years for people 85 and older75 and older, every renewalBoth, every other renewal
IowaTwo years for people 78 and older70 and older, every renewalNot permitted 70 and older
KansasFour years for people 65 and olderEvery renewalNot permitted 65 and older
KentuckyFour or eight years, personal optionEvery renewalBoth, if photograph is newer than 16 years
LouisianaSix years70 and older, every renewalNot permitted 70 and older
MaineFour years for people 65 and older62 and older, every renewalNot permitted 62 and older
MarylandEight years for all ages40 and older, every renewalBoth, if photograph is newer than 16 years
MassachusettsFive years for all ages75 and older, every renewalNot permitted 75 and older
MichiganFour years for all agesWhen renewing in personBoth, every other renewal
MinnesotaFour years for all agesEvery renewalNo
MississippiFour or eight years (personal choice)NoOnline, every other renewal
MissouriThree years for people 70 and olderEvery renewalNo
MontanaFour years for people 75 and olderEvery renewalBoth, every other renewal
NebraskaFive years72 and older, every renewalNot permitted 72 and older
NevadaFour years for people 65 and older71 and older, every renewalBoth, every other renewal for people 65 and older
New HampshireFive years for all agesEvery renewalOnline, every other renewal
New JerseyTwo or four years for people 70 and older (personal choice)Every 10 yearsBoth
New MexicoFour years for people 71-78; one year for people 79 and older75 and older, every renewalNot permitted 75 and older
New YorkEight years for all agesEvery renewalBoth
North CarolinaFive years for people 66 and olderEvery renewalOnline, every other renewal
North DakotaFour years for people 78 and olderEvery renewalNot permitted 70 and older
OhioFour years for people 65 and older65 and older, every renewalNot permitted 65 and older
OklahomaFour or eight years (personal choice)NoBoth, every other renewal
OregonEight years for all ages50 and older if renewing in personOnline, every other renewal
PennsylvaniaTwo years or four years for people 65 and older (personal choice)NoBoth
Rhode IslandTwo years for people 75 and olderEvery renewalOnline, every other renewal
South CarolinaEight years for all agesEvery renewalBoth
South DakotaFive years for all ages65 and older, every renewalBoth, every other renewal
TennesseeEight years for all agesNoBoth
TexasTwo years for people 85 and older79 and older, every renewalNot permitted 79 and older
UtahEight years for all ages65 and older, every renewalOnline, every other renewal
VermontTwo or four years for all agesNoBy mail, unless new photo required
VirginiaFive years for people 75 and older75 and older, every renewalNot permitted 75 and older
WashingtonSix or eight years (personal choice)Every renewalNot permitted 70 and older
West VirginiaEight years for all agesEvery renewalOnline, every other renewal
WisconsinEight years for all agesEvery renewalNo
WyomingFive years for all agesEvery renewalBy mail, every other renewal

Cost of Car Insurance for Seniors

The cost of auto insurance tends to decrease as drivers age and gain more experience behind the wheel, with teen drivers paying the most for insurance. The cost of auto insurance for seniors does increase slightly when drivers enter their seventies, though it’s not nearly as steep as the cost for teens.

Age GroupAverage Annual PremiumAverage Monthly Premium
60-69$1,316$110
70-79$1,524$127
80-89$1,764$147

Tips for Senior Drivers

Below is a little information on how to stay safe as a senior driver, but if you want to learn more, read our full driving guide for older adults.

  1. Avoid nighttime driving: If you can, avoid driving at night or even during sunrises and sunsets, as they cause glare.
  2. Drive during slow periods: Again, if you can avoid it, don’t drive during rush hour or any other time when there are many cars on the road.
  3. Defrost your windows: For winter driving, ensure your windows are completely defrosted.
  4. Don’t drive drunk: This advice applies to drivers of any age. Even buzzed driving is drunk driving.
  5. Don’t drive drowsy: Even if you’re only feeling a bit tired or stressed, avoid driving drowsy if you can.
  6. Avoid bad weather: It’s best to drive when there are no atmospheric conditions, like rain, snow, or hail.
  7. Drive defensively: Leave a large amount of distance between you and the car in front of you. This is an essential part of driving defensively and reducing the chance of collisions.
  8. Stay focused: Make sure your mind, eyes, and hands are all focused on driving and not checking your phone.
  9. Check your medications’ side effects: Some medications cause dizziness, drowsiness, and other side effects. Make sure it’s OK to drive while on a certain medicine by asking your doctor or pharmacist.
  10. Plan your route: Before you drive, figure out what route you’re going to take. Avoid highways and other high-speed roadways if you can.
  11. Stay active: One way to maintain the strength and flexibility necessary for driving is to use the Centers for Disease Control’s MyMobility plan.6 This plan teaches you how to stay independent and mobile with regular physical checkups, strength and balance exercises, and walks.
  12. Wear corrective vision or auditory devices: Wear contact lenses, glasses, or hearing aids if you need them.
  13. Buckle in: Wearing your seat belt every time you drive can reduce the risk of injury and death.
  14. Use your car’s safety features: Take advantage of the following safety features that are standard in new cars.
    • Automatic transmission
    • Backup cameras
    • Lane departure alerts
    • Large mirrors
    • Power brakes
    • Power steering

Conclusion

While medical issues may make driving dangerous or impossible for some senior drivers, most drivers ages 65 and older on U.S. roads are perfectly capable of driving safely. However, if you need to tell an older adult to stop driving for their own safety, do so with understanding and support.

Methodology

We used data from the following national organizations to compile this report:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • National Safety Council
  • U.S. Department of Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

What age do most seniors stop driving?

According to data from the U.S. Census and the Federal Highway Administration, drivers ages 85 and older are the most likely to stop driving. By age 85, 33 percent of the population are no longer licensed drivers.

Age Percent of population that is unlicensed, 2022
15-19 50%
20-24 33%
25-29 11%
30-34 9%
35-39 8%
40-44 8%
45-49 8%
50-54 7%
55-59 7%
60-64 7%
65-69 6%
70-74 7%
75-79 9%
80-84 14%
85 and over 33%

Licensing rates begin to decline for middle-aged drivers at age 55 and reach a low at age 85 and older.

What are the common mistakes of older drivers?

Common mistakes of older drivers aged 65 and up include the following:

  • Driving at night or during sunrise or sunset
  • Driving during rush hour or other times with a lot of traffic
  • Driving in bad weather
  • Driving while distracted, impaired, or drowsy
  • Driving while on a medication that causes side effects like drowsiness
  • Not defrosting windows
  • Not staying physically active, which makes driving difficult
  • Not using vehicle safety features like lane departure alerts or backup cameras
  • Not wearing seat belts
  • Not wearing hearing aids, glasses, or contacts while driving
  • Tailgating

What is the major factor in older drivers’ crashes?

One major factor in older drivers’ motor vehicle crashes is alcohol. In 2022, the last time the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published data, 10 percent of all traffic fatalities of drivers age 65 and older involved BACs of 0.08 percent or higher, meaning they were impaired.

Why is a 65-year-old prone to an MVA?

A 65-year-old is actually less prone to a motor vehicle accident (MVA) than other age groups. In 2022, the rate of drivers in crashes per 100,00 licensed drivers was 18 for those 65-74, lower than any other age group, as shown in the table below.7

Age group Drivers in crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers
16-19 47
20-24 42
25-34 35
35-44 29
45-54 26
55-64 22
65-74 18
75 and older 20
Aliza Vigderman
Written by:Aliza Vigderman
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.

Citations

  1. Medical Conditions and Driving: A Review of the Literature (1960 – 2000). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2005).
    https://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/MedicalConditions_Driving.pdf

  2. Mature Drivers. Governors Highway Safety Administration. (2023).
    https://www.ghsa.org/issues/mature-drivers

  3. License renewal procedures. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute. (2023).
    https://www.iihs.org/topics/older-drivers/license-renewal-laws-table

  4. Licensed Drivers, by state, gender, and age group. Data.gov. (2021, Nov 24).
    https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/licensed-drivers-by-state-gender-and-age-group

  5. Safe Driving for Older Adults. National Institute on Aging. (2023).
    https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/older-drivers#safely

  6. MyMobility Plan. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023).
    https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/older_adult_drivers/mymobility/