Health and Safety of Seniors on the Road

Driving an automobile is a complex activity for everyone. It requires good eyesight, good health and good reflexes, regardless of  your age.

Driving after 75

Your state of health, not your age, is what determines your ability to drive.

If you have a licence to drive a car, motorcycle, moped or scooter or farm tractor…

Once you turn 75, you must disclose your state of health using the Self-Declaration of Medical Information form (PDF, 145.5 KB)⁠. The SAAQ will send you an explanatory letter along with a copy of the form 45 days before your birthday.

Once you turn 80, and every two years thereafter, you will have to undergo a health assessment. The SAAQ will send you an explanatory letter 45 days before your birthday, along with the forms to be completed and signed by the appropriate health care professionals. Once the forms have been completed and signed, you must return them to the SAAQ.

For more information on the health assessment and procedure to follow, visit the State of Health and Driver’s Licences page.

Rest assured!

Very few people—approximately 1%—lose their licence following the medical examination and vision test.

However, many others—slightly less than 50%—have to comply with certain conditions, such as:

• avoiding driving in darkness
• wearing contact lenses or glasses
• driving a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission

Vision, reflexes and motor skills

Certain abilities are required to drive a vehicle, at any age.

However, if you are a senior, even with many years of driving experience, you should pay special attention to ensure that you:

• have a good knowledge of road safety rules and traffic signs and signals
  • There are many new things, such as the Move-Over Law and turning right on red.
• are in good general health

Being in good health means:

• having good eyesight
• being able to easily move all parts of your body, for example: being able to turn your head to check blind spots, back up or park
• having good reflexes, for example being able to brake quickly when necessary
• being able to process lots of information at a time, for example: slowing down, changing lanes and spotting and avoiding an obstacle

Changes in your state of health may occur gradually

As time goes on, even an experienced driver may unknowingly lose some skills. This could endanger their safety and the safety of others.

This short questionnaire could reassure you or help put you on the right track

If you have doubts regarding your driving, ask yourself these 12 questions:

1. Are my movements limited when I am at the wheel?
2. Am I confused when I have to merge onto a road or exit the road?
3. Do I sometimes forget things when I am driving like forgetting how to get somewhere?
4. Do I stop at intersections at the last moment?
5. Do I need to be accompanied by someone to help me when I drive?
6. Do I have difficulty yielding the right of way or negotiating a traffic circle?
7. Do I have difficulty backing up?
8. Do I have vision problems or health issues that hamper my driving?
9. Do I sometimes have difficulty reading or understanding traffic signs?
10. Do other drivers regularly honk at me or try to get my attention?
11. Are my friends or family members worried about my driving, or are they reluctant to get in the vehicle when I am the driver?
12. Have I had any fender benders in the last year?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you should:

• consult your physician or nurse practitioner
• refresh your knowledge⁠ ⁠ or review your driving techniques
• think about alternative ways of getting around

Adapting your driving to your abilities is important

Here is some advice to drive safely:

• plan longer rest periods during long trips
• choose routes that you are familiar with
• choose a car that makes driving easier, for example, a car with an automatic transmission
• wait for rush hour to end before going out
• avoid driving:
  • at night or in poor weather
  • if you feel unwell or tired
• do not drive
  • if you take medication that decreases your concentration or makes you drowsy
  • if you have had alcohol

If you believe that you are no longer able to drive safely

You can:

• use public transit
• carpool with friends and family
• take a taxi or use a rideshare service
• use transportation services offered by community organizations
• use paratransit

Advice on staying in shape… and staying behind the wheel!

Being in good health is a condition for keeping your driver's licence.

To keep your driving privilege for a long time, make sure the odds are in your favour and adopt healthy lifestyle habits.

What you can do

• See your physician regularly.
• Take your medication correctly.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat well and watch your weight.
• Continue to challenge your brain by reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing games, either online or offline.