Driving in your 60s and beyond: What you need to know

Published June 2025 | 6 min read
Expert contributors: Dr Kaarin Anstey, Director of the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute; Dr Gary Deed, Clinical GP 
Words by Andrea Downey

Find out what you can do as you age to stay as safe as possible behind the wheel and the right health checks to support you.

For Joanne, 75, her deteriorating eyesight has affected her driving over the past few years.

“My biggest problem is having the confidence to drive when going to new places and, of course, city driving, which I just won’t do as I get too anxious,” she says.

The traffic is another challenge for Joanne – “and all the modernising of roads, which is great for the young but not for us elderly as it’s very confusing.”

Recently, she’s updated her prescription glasses, which has helped with driving during the day, but she says many of her friends have stopped driving altogether at night.

“It’s to do with their eyesight; they only drive in their local areas and use public transport now,” she adds.

Getting older is an inevitable part of life. By 2050, the number of Australians aged between 65 and 84 years is expected to more than double.

We’re also a nation that depends on our cars. For many Aussies, driving gives independence and social connection and is often the easiest way to get around. Our ageing population means there will be more people over 65 on the road in the future.

There are many things to consider about driving as you age. Being a safe driver isn't just about maintaining good eyesight like Joanne, it's important to remember a lot of other aspects like muscle strength, poor joint health, various chronic conditions and pain, as well as your overall awareness, confidence and judgement skills which can also impact your ability to stay safe on the road.

Assessing your driving ability

Having a driver's licence can give you freedom and independence and can often be the key to maintaining social connections with friends and family or getting exercise. So giving up driving as you get older may feel like your independence is being restricted, or you may feel like your lifestyle will change.

There’s no set age – it depends on your individual circumstances, says Dr Kaarin Anstey, Director of the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute.

Some factors that could impact your ability to drive include declining eyesight, slower reaction times and muscular weakness.

“You can’t generalise … you’re always going to get some older drivers that are really good and some young drivers that make a lot of errors,” says Dr Anstey. “There are normal declines in vision with ageing that happen to everyone.”

For example, she adds, most people start to have more difficulty seeing at night. If you’ve noticed a change in your ability to drive due to eyesight concerns, it might be time to speak to your GP.

Chat to your GP

Dr Gary Deed, a specialist GP with an interest in chronic disease, says people should feel safe to have a conversation with their GP about their driving ability. It's also worth chatting to your GP about your long-term health goals and how you can continue to stay on the road safely.

“All of us age and eventually some of us will not be able to drive, but that process should be manageable over years; it shouldn’t be suddenly appearing,” he says. “If you’re on medication for complex illnesses, for example, it’s imperative that you bring it up [with your GP] and ask if you need a driving assessment.”

Never assume a medication is safe for driving, including any herbal or over-the-counter products, as they could interfere with prescription medicine, he adds. Always check with your GP if you’re unsure.

If you prefer to see a GP online, we’ve partnered with GP2U^*, an online video GP service, to make it easier for members to speak to a doctor about this. Eligible members can access a standard GP consultation (up to 10 minutes) for a fee of $50. If you live in a rural or remote area^{^} and have hospital and/or extras cover, you can access a free annual 15-minute online GP consult.

The impact of chronic conditions

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also important, because it reduces your risk of chronic disease and can keep you mobile and able to drive for longer. If you have a chronic condition, it could impact your safety behind the wheel. Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and epilepsy all pose a risk.

“If you have diabetes, unstable glucose can affect vision,” Dr Deed explains. “We know that hypertension, cardiovascular disease and the medications used to manage them, as well as fluctuating blood pressure like low blood pressure, can affect attentiveness.”

Other health conditions known to affect driving are explained on the Austroads website.

“Ultimately, anything that affects thinking, reaction time, vision, mobility – any of those factors – are going to affect your driving,” says Dr Anstey.

Health checks and driving

Booking your regular health checks can help you stay safe on the roads. It’s recommended you see your optometrist at least every two years from the age of 40 and even more frequently from the age of 65. Regular hearing checks are also important.

“We like self-management, so get the appropriate eye checks,” says Dr Deed. "But make sure the information goes back to your GP, so they can incorporate that into your whole health management.”

Eligible HCF members can claim 100% back⁺ on a range of prescription glasses at HCF Eyecare Centres and other optometrists. Depending on your level of cover, you can also claim hearing tests through our partnership with Connect Hearing. You can find a provider that suits you with our Find a Provider tool.

What are the age rules for driving in Australia?

The rules vary from state to state when it comes to older drivers renewing their licence. Some states need you to have a yearly medical check-up from a certain age and others may ask for an annual health report.

You can find the rules for each state at Ageing Well on the Road, from the Driving, Ageing and Health Research team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). In most states, you'll need to start having medical assessments after the age of 75.

Make sure you’re covered

Like private health cover, car insurance is essential to help protect you financially if you have an accident. HCF Car Insurance^# offers two types of cover: Comprehensive or Third Party Property Damage.

HCF Comprehensive covers your vehicle, plus damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property or people impacted, as well as things like new for old replacement, emergency repairs, towing and replacement car temporary cover.

HCF Third Party Property Damage covers you for loss or damage to someone else’s property. Your own vehicle isn’t covered, but it may also cover legal costs from a liability claim.

Giving up driving? Here’s what to do

Quitting driving doesn’t mean you have to give up your independence. Many local councils and not-for-profit organisations offer additional services and free or discounted transport for people who can't drive for various reasons. It can also be helpful to get to know your public transport system or take advantage of rideshare companies.

Dr Anstey points to the financial benefits of not running a car as well.

“If you work out how much you’re spending on a car and you put that into an account for Ubers and other transport, you might find you save money in the long run,” she says.

You can also speak to friends about meeting up closer to home, ask them for lifts or share taxis to reduce costs.

Worried about someone driving safely?

If you’re worried about a family member or friend still driving, approach the situation with kindness and compassion. Dr Anstey suggests offering positive conversation starters like: “How do you plan to get around when you stop driving?”

You can also offer to drive them or pay for transport. If you can, encourage them to speak to their GP for advice. Remind them it’s not just about them, as they may cause an accident if they drive without the right health checks.

Cover to keep you moving

We understand the importance of safeguarding your assets against the unexpected. Which is why we’re offering HCF Car Insurance for your car, ute or SUV. As an HCF member, you can also save 5%^** when you quote and buy HCF Car Insurance online.