Advancing Age is a Testing Time for Many Drivers

How old is too old to drive? There’s no definitive answer,
no matter what some so-called experts claim.

By Bill McLauchlan

It surprised me to learn recently that Bill Brack, a three-time Canadian Driving Champion, and now owner of a drivers school at Shannonville Motorsports Park near Belleville, Ontario, thinks anyone over 80 should no longer be able to drive on the province’s 400-series multi-lane highways. According to Brack, the speeds are too high and there’s too much going on for people of that age to drive safely. 

Frankly, given his background and 77-year age, I’d have thought Brack would have a broader perspective than merely establishing an arbitrary cut-off point governed by one’s age.

To give him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he was trying to stir up some controversy to help publicize a new course at his school aimed at helping older drivers improve their road skills and gain more confidence behind the wheel.

There may be some merit to that argument on the traffic-choked main arteries running through and around the Toronto area. You need your wits about you, for sure, and high levels of situational awareness. But, as long as you’re physical and cognitive abilities are up to the job, there’s no reason to bar you from driving on high-speed highways and expressways simply because you’ve passed a specific age-related milestone.

That said, there’s comes a point in every driver’s life when age does enter into the equation. Most of us couldn’t wait to get our driving licences when we were young. But, like the cars we drive, age takes its toll. By a certain age, we are required by law to prove we’re still up to the task.

Photo: PRNEWSWIRE/Newscom

It's estimated that by the end of this decade one in four drivers in Canada will be aged 65 or older. A 2009 Statistics Canada report says about 3.25 million Canadians licensed to drive were 65 and over, with the majority in the 65 to 74 age group. Of the seniors with a valid licence, more than 27,000 were 90 or over. Ontario had the most older drivers at 1.25 million, while P.E.I. had just 15,000.

As it stands now, the requirements for older drivers to renew their licence vary widely. In some jurisdictions you’re good to go no matter what age you are. In one instance it comes mid-way through your sixth decade. And we’re talking here of renewing licences permitting you to drive passenger cars, light trucks and motorcycles. There are more stringent rules governing commercial vehicle drivers.

If you live in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward island and Saskatchewan there are no restrictions based on age. In Nova Scotia, on the other hand, a medical report must be submitted annually fro drivers age 64 and over.

Yukon drivers need to provide a medical at ages 70, 75 and 80 and every two years beyond that.

Motorists are required to renew their drivers licence at 75 or older in Alberta, Newfoundland, Quebec, the North West Territories and Nunavut. In Alberta a medical report also must be submitted and in some cases a vision test must also be done. Things are a tad tougher in Newfoundland, as a second medical is called for when a driver turns 80 and for every two years after 80. Quebec’s requirements are similar to those of Newfoundland but also call for a vision test too. A medical report is required at age 75 and 80 in the North West Territories and every two years after 80, while in Nunavut it’s at 75 and annually at 80 and over.

The requirement in British Columbia is for a medical report at 80 and every two years from then on. Ontario drivers can basically self-certify themselves as to medical fitness but it does have a mandatory Senior Driver Renewal Program which kicks in at age 80 and is renewed every two years from then on. The program involves a vision test and quiz on road rules, plus a group education session. A further road test may be required if deemed necessary. 

Whether it is time to renew or not, you also have a legal requirement to inform the licensing authorities as soon as possible if you are diagnosed with dementia.
A diagnosis of dementia is not necessarily a reason to stop driving immediately. What you should consider is whether you are still able to drive safely, what steps you can take to ensure you are up to the job, and what legal requirements you have to register your illness

Your eyesight can deteriorate too. So if you need glasses or contact lenses to do this, update your licensing information. And they must be worn at all times when driving.

Research has proven older drivers are as safe as or safer than other age groups. But bad habits do creep in over time, and it may be worth considering giving your driving a check-up. Online and on-road assessments are available for older drivers to make sure your driving is still up to scratch.

Experienced motorists may feel that driving is very much an automated activity, but should remember that it is actually a highly complex task that requires acute observation and manual skills.