Older employees who drive for work: an employer guide that puts function first
How to judge driving by function, not age, and keep older workers safe on the road
Picture a 68 year old field technician with decades of clean driving. This winter, he keeps asking to swap his late afternoon service calls. His manager wonders whether the company needs an age cutoff for driving.
An occupational medicine physician would ask what changed. Is it headlight glare at dusk, a new medicine, or a stiff neck that makes merging harder? Each has a different fix. None of them is a birthday.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the labor force ages 65 and older will grow from 11.8 million in 2025 to 14.4 million by 2035 [3]. (We added BLS’s two oldest age groups.) This guide shows employers how to judge driving by function and handle concerns fairly. For tips aimed at older drivers themselves, see our older driver safety guide.
What the numbers say about older workers and crashes
Workers 55 and older have twice the risk of dying in a work related crash as younger workers. That’s the finding of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), based on 2011 to 2022 data [1]. In 2022, crashes caused 36% of work deaths in this age group [1].
In 2024, BLS counted 824 work deaths among workers 65 and older. Transportation incidents, the event group that includes roadway crashes, caused 358 of them [4]. That’s about 43%, a larger share than for any adult age group from 20 to 64 (our calculation) [4].
How you measure crash risk changes the picture:
- Per licensed driver, people in their 70s have lower fatal crash rates than middle aged drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports [6].
- Per mile, rates start rising at about age 70 [6]. In 2022, drivers 85 and older had 7.9 fatal crash involvements per 100 million miles, versus 1.6 for drivers 60 to 69 [5].
- Fragility explains much of the extra danger. IIHS says older people are more easily injured in a crash, especially in the chest, and more prone to medical complications [5]. The issue is not mainly a greater tendency to crash [5].
Two error patterns matter for route planning. Crash involved drivers 70 and older are more likely than drivers 35 to 54 to look without seeing, or to misjudge a gap or speed [6]. And in 2024, multiple vehicle intersection crashes made up 43% of fatal crash involvements for drivers 80 and older [5]. For drivers 20 to 64, the share was about 24% [5].
One caution cuts the other way. IIHS notes that drivers who log more miles do more of their driving on freeways, which have lower crash rates [6]. So per mile averages may overstate risk for a fit older employee who drives long highway routes (our inference).
Why age is the wrong yardstick
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that age alone does not determine driving performance [7]. Hearing, vision, muscle tone and reaction time all decline with age, but at very different rates from person to person [7]. NHTSA adds that tests of functional driving ability may predict crash risk better than general measures of decline [7].
NIOSH tells employers to restrict driving based on actual driving ability, not general health status or an arbitrary age limit [1].
The law points the same way:
- Age. The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) bars discrimination against workers 40 and older in any aspect of employment [13]. An employer defending an age limit as a “bona fide occupational qualification” carries the burden of proof. That exception is read narrowly [13].
- Disability. Under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules, medical exams and questions for current employees must be job related and consistent with business necessity [12].
Step 1: Map the driving demands of each job
Fitness to drive always means fitness for a specific task. Short daytime trips in a sedan demand less than towing a trailer at night through unfamiliar towns.
ADA rules count written job descriptions and the time spent on each task as evidence of a job’s essential functions [12]. A driving demands profile written before any concern arises helps you hold everyone to one standard. Mark each demand that applies, and review the profile yearly.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Job driving demand | Abilities it leans on | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Night, dawn or dusk driving | Glare recovery, contrast, low light vision | Could some trips move to daylight? |
| Long trips or many hours a day | Sustained attention, alertness, sitting tolerance | What is the longest stretch without a break? |
| Unfamiliar routes or new territory | Navigation, divided attention, processing speed | Are routes planned before departure? |
| Dense city driving, many left turns | Side vision, gap judgment, quick decisions | Can routes favor left turn arrows? |
| Highway merging, frequent lane changes | Neck and trunk rotation, speed judgment | Does the vehicle have blind spot warning? |
| Heavy vehicles, trailers or commercial vehicles | Strength, mirror use, backing; federal medical rules | Is a federal medical certificate required? |
| Loading, unloading, climbing into high cabs | Balance, grip, leg strength | Is there a lift gate, grab handle or helper? |
| Tight appointment windows | Decisions under time pressure | Who sets the schedule, and is it realistic? |
| Carrying clients or coworkers | All of the above, plus conversation and distraction | How many passengers, and how often? |
| Heavy use of navigation or dispatch apps | Divided attention, learning new systems | Is setup done before the vehicle moves? |
Step 2: Know which abilities matter
Vision: more than the eye chart
NIOSH explains that aging eyes need more light and more time to adjust. Glare bothers them more. Side vision also narrows [2].
Passing a license eye test isn’t the whole story. NHTSA notes that crashes track more closely with side vision loss, poor contrast sensitivity and slow visual processing than with sharpness alone [8]. Contrast sensitivity lets you spot a gray car on a gray, rainy road. NIOSH advises a thorough eye exam at least every 1 to 2 years [1].
Thinking: divided attention and speed
Work driving piles on tasks: watching traffic while following navigation and planning the next stop. NHTSA lists attention, processing speed, judgment, reaction time, planning, spatial skills and memory among the thinking skills driving needs [8].
When these slip, warning signs often look like work problems: missed turns, late arrivals or new scrapes on the vehicle. NHTSA advises clinicians to arrange a functional driving evaluation when there is evidence of cognitive impairment [8].
Mobility: neck, legs and getting in and out
Limited neck or trunk motion makes it hard to check a blind spot before changing lanes, NHTSA notes [8]. NIOSH adds that weaker legs can reduce braking force. Stiff joints can also make buckling up harder [2].
Hearing counts too. Age related hearing loss can hide horns, sirens and vehicle warnings [2].
Step 3: Make medication review routine and private
Most older drivers take several medicines. In the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s LongROAD study of drivers 65 to 79, 97% took at least one. The median was 7 [9]. About 18.5% used at least one medicine that older adults should generally avoid, most often benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, antidepressants and older antihistamines [9].
A “brown bag” review catches problems early. The worker brings every prescription, over the counter product and supplement to a pharmacist, doctor or occupational health clinic. Do it yearly, after any new prescription or dose change, and after a hospital stay. NIOSH also urges employers to share general information on how medicines can affect driving [1].
Keep it private. ADA rules require medical information to sit in separate, confidential files [12]. Supervisors may be told about needed work restrictions and accommodations, but the rest stays confidential [12]. Our guide to workplace alcohol, drug and medication policies covers day of drive rules.
Step 4: Fit the vehicle to the driver
NIOSH recommends a clear view over the wheel and at least 10 inches between the driver and the steering wheel [2]. It also calls for a well adjusted seat, belt and head restraint, plus easy pedal reach [2].
CarFit, from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), AAA and AARP, is a free 12 point fit check that takes about 20 minutes [10]. Trained volunteers, including occupational therapy practitioners, run it [10]. Consider hosting one at your fleet yard during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, the first week of December [10].
When you buy or lease, favor features that help every driver, and older drivers most of all:
- Adjustability: a power seat with height control, a tilt and telescoping wheel and adjustable pedals.
- Visibility: large mirrors, good headlights and a rearview camera. IIHS says cameras and parking sensors are especially effective at preventing backing crashes for drivers 70 and older [6].
- Protection: side airbags with head and torso coverage, estimated to cut near side crash deaths by 45% for front seat occupants 70 and older [6].
- Easy entry: lower step in height, grab handles and running boards.
Then teach the features. In LongROAD, about half of older drivers with advanced vehicle technology learned it on their own. Another 13% never learned it [9]. A 15 minute walkthrough at every vehicle handoff closes that gap. For hand controls and other adaptive equipment, see our adapted vehicles guide.
Step 5: Build a self reporting culture people trust
Workers often notice changes first, such as halos around headlights or a foggy morning after a new pill. NIOSH encourages workers to tell a supervisor about driving trouble [1]. It also urges employers to let drivers adjust hours for night vision problems and stop when tired or in bad weather [1].
People speak up only when it feels safe. Four rules help:
- Apply it to all ages. Every driver reports the same triggers, such as a new diagnosis or medicine, eye surgery, a near miss or getting lost.
- Send health details to occupational health or the worker’s own clinician, not the supervisor [12].
- Promise no automatic penalty. A report starts a talk about adjustments, not a removal.
- Close the loop. Tell the worker what happens next and when.
Self reporting has limits. IIHS notes that some older drivers with significant cognitive impairment don’t adjust their driving [6]. Pair self reports with crash and near miss reports for every driver.
An unchecked box is a reason to call occupational health, not a verdict.
Step 6: When concerns arise, get an objective assessment
Act on evidence, never on age. Triggers include a crash or near miss pattern, a report from a coworker or customer, a self report, or a return from medical leave. ADA rules allow medical exams of current employees when they are job related and consistent with business necessity [12]. Before treating a worker as a safety threat, they call for an individualized assessment using the best available objective evidence [12].
Match the tool to the question:
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Question | Best tool | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Is this person safe today, in our vehicle, on our routes? | On road check ride with a standard score sheet | Qualified fleet driving trainer |
| Is a health problem or medicine behind the concern? | Clinical review of vision, thinking, strength, motion and medicines | Occupational medicine physician or the worker’s own clinician |
| What exactly is impaired, and what would help? | Comprehensive driving evaluation: clinic tests plus a drive in real traffic | Driver rehabilitation specialist, often an occupational therapist |
| Does a commercial driver meet federal medical standards? | Federal medical exam | Medical examiner under federal rules [14] |
Many employers miss this: a check ride shows whether driving is safe, but not why. A comprehensive evaluation explains the cause and the fix. The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) describes clinic tests of vision, physical function and thinking, then a drive in steadily busier traffic [11]. Results range from continued driving, training, restrictions or equipment to planned rechecks or stopping [11].
Refer to a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) when clinic and road findings don’t match, a condition is progressive, or equipment might help. NHTSA advises clinicians to refer to a driving professional when there’s doubt about safe control of a standard vehicle [8]. AOTA keeps a directory of driving programs [10]. Decide in your policy who pays for work related referrals.
Commercial drivers. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers need a federal medical exam at least every 24 months, and yearly with insulin treated diabetes [14]. No exam is triggered by age. There is no upper age limit [14].
Step 7: Try reasonable adjustments before removal
Most concerns have a middle path. NIOSH calls reducing the amount of driving the most effective way to prevent crashes [1]. ADA rules list accommodations such as job restructuring, modified schedules, reassignment to a vacant position and new or modified equipment [12]. They also describe an informal, interactive process for finding options with the worker [12].
Match each adjustment to a specific finding:
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Finding | Adjustments to consider |
|---|---|
| Glare or poor night vision | Daytime schedules; move dusk calls in winter; time off for treatment such as cataract surgery [8] |
| Fatigue on long trips | Shorter trips, split routes, overnight stops, or flying or taking the train |
| Trouble with unfamiliar routes | A stable territory; routes planned the day before; navigation set before moving |
| Unease at busy intersections | Routes with left turn arrows or three right turns; off peak travel |
| Limited neck rotation | Camera, blind spot warning, larger mirrors; physical or occupational therapy |
| Weak legs, hard entry or lifting | Lower vehicle, grab handles, lift gate or a loading helper |
| Heavy vehicle or trailer demands | Reassign to a lighter vehicle; two person crews or a second driver |
| Medicine side effects | Ask the prescriber about timing or alternatives; shift start times |
| Not safe to drive for now | Other duties, video meetings [2], or transit, rideshare or car service for needed trips |
Write each adjustment down with a review date. Involve HR and counsel early, since what counts as reasonable is a legal question.
Frequently asked questions
Can an employer set an age limit for driving a company vehicle?
It’s legally risky. The ADEA protects workers 40 and older. An employer defending an age limit carries the burden of proof [13]. NIOSH recommends basing restrictions on actual driving ability [1]. Talk with employment counsel first.
Can my employer require a medical or driving check just because I’m over 65?
Age alone is a weak basis. Under ADA rules, medical exams of current employees must be job related and consistent with business necessity [12]. Singling out workers by age can also raise ADEA concerns [13]. A fairer approach checks every driver on the same schedule.
Do older truck drivers need more frequent DOT physicals?
Not because of age. Federal rules require an exam at least every 24 months, more often for some conditions, and after an impairing illness or injury [14]. There is no maximum age [14].
What is a comprehensive driving evaluation?
A driver rehabilitation specialist, often an occupational therapist, combines clinic tests of vision, movement and thinking with a drive in real traffic [11]. Recommendations may include training, equipment, restrictions or a recheck [11].
How do I tell my employer I’m struggling with night driving?
Ask your supervisor about daytime trips, and send any health details to occupational health instead [12]. NIOSH encourages workers to raise driving trouble and employers to adjust hours for night vision problems [1]. Then see an eye doctor and mention glare and low contrast, which can affect driving [8].
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Judge driving by function, never by age. Write down what each driving job demands. Keep vision and medicine reviews private and fit every vehicle to its driver. When concerns arise, get an objective assessment and try adjustments before removing anyone from driving.
Related articles
- Older driver safety: how to keep driving safely and confidently
- Medical conditions and driving: why function, not diagnosis, decides
- Workplace motor vehicle safety program: a step by step employer guide
- Driver qualification for work: license checks, MVRs and who may drive
- Employee driver training: how to train and road test workers who drive
Sources and further reading
- 1CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Older Drivers at Work. Updated May 16, 2024. cdc.gov/niosh/motor-vehicle/older-drivers
- 2NIOSH. Older Drivers in the Workplace: How Employers and Workers Can Prevent Crashes. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2016-116. March 2016. cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-116 (PDF)
- 3U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections. Table 3.1: Civilian labor force by age, sex, race, and ethnicity (2025 to 35 projections). September 1, 2026. bls.gov/emp/tables/civilian-labor-force-summary.htm
- 4BLS, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Table A-7: Fatal occupational injuries by worker characteristics and event or exposure, all United States, 2024; and National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2024 (news release, USDL-26-0230, February 19, 2026). Table A-7; news release
- 5Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Fatality Facts 2024: Older People. Posted June 2026. iihs.org/…/older-people
- 6IIHS. Older Drivers (research area). Updated July 2026. iihs.org/research-areas/older-drivers
- 7National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Countermeasures That Work: Older Drivers (overview and Understanding the Problem). No edition date shown; accessed October 2026. overview; understanding the problem
- 8NHTSA. Driving-Related Fact Sheets for Medical Professionals: Cognitive Conditions (DOT HS 812 888a), Functional Conditions (DOT HS 812 888d) and Visual Impairment (DOT HS 812 888f). July 2023. cognitive; functional; visual
- 9AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, LongROAD study reports: Medication Use in Older Adult Drivers (November 2018); Prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Drivers (November 2018); and Use, Learning and Perceptions of In-Vehicle Technologies, and Vehicle Adaptations among Older Drivers (October 2017). medication use; inappropriate medications; in-vehicle technologies
- 10American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). CarFit and Driving & Community Mobility (including the Driving Practitioner Directory). Accessed October 2026. CarFit; driving and community mobility
- 11Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED). Best Practice Guidelines for the Delivery of Driver Rehabilitation Services. 2016. cdn.ymaws.com/www.aded.net (PDF); and ADED home page (CDRS credential), accessed October 2026. aded.net
- 12Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 29 CFR Part 1630, Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (sections 1630.2 and 1630.14). Current as of October 1, 2026. 1630.2; 1630.14
- 13Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 29 CFR Part 1625, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (sections 1625.2, 1625.6 and 1625.7). Up to date as of September 17, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/part-1625
- 14Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 49 CFR 391.41, Physical qualifications for drivers, and 49 CFR 391.45, Persons who must be medically examined and certified. Up to date as of October 1, 2026. 391.41; 391.45
This article reflects the safety priorities of occupational medicine, occupational therapy and driver rehabilitation. It is general education, not legal, medical or professional advice for any employer or individual. Have qualified HR and employment counsel review policies on medical questions, assessments, restrictions and reassignment. Laws, data and vehicle features change, so verify details with official sources. Reviewed October 2026.
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