Find the Right Vehicle for You

SMART FEATURES FOR OLDER DRIVERS

A vehicle is one of the largest purchases a person makes, and it is critical to find the right one for you. To help older drivers know what to look for in a vehicle, AAA worked with the University of Florida Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation to help identify smart features for older drivers (SFOD) to optimize their comfort and safety. Use the tool at the bottom of the page to explore these smart features.

Our expert team recommends you consider the following factors when choosing the right vehicle:

Safety features, such as seat belts and the positions and types of airbags.
Ergonomics, or design features, that reduce operator fatigue and discomfort, such as adjustable pedals and seats.
Comfort, such as ease of entry and exit, legroom and size of control buttons.
Value, which incorporates the total cost of ownership including price, operating and maintenance costs, as well as reliability, fuel economy and resale value.

In addition, a variety of adaptive features can help compensate for physical changes or simply to make the vehicle fit you more comfortably and safely. Explore these smart features with the tool below.

Classic Car Design	The “less is more approach” by reducing distractions and improving familiarity with controls.
I/P Contrast	Allows for better visibility with quick glances.
Automatic Wipers	Turns wipers on and off automatically and lessens driver distraction.

Visors And Extendable Sun Visors	Help drivers adjust to and prevent glare from the sun, and assist with slow recovery from brightness.
Larger Audio And Climate Controls With Contrasting Text	Audio and climate controls with large features and contrasting text are easier to see and manipulate, and thus less distracting.
I/P Contrast	Allows for better visibility with quick glances; especially helpful for drivers with diminished vision due to glaucoma or cataracts.
Auto-Dimming Mirrors	This feature reduces blinding glare from headlights of other vehicles.

Adjustable Steering Wheel (height and telescoping)	The extra adjustments help the driver find a safe distance from the front airbag, as well as a comfortable position that alleviates knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder pain.
Wide Angle Mirror	For those who have difficulty turning or twisting to look to the rear when changing lanes or backing up, large wide-angle mirrors can improve visibility and assist with blind spots.
Adjustable Lumbar Support	Lumbar support can help improve comfort for many drivers, especially those with back pain. Heated seats can help alleviate tension in the back.
Heated Seats	Lumbar support can help improve comfort for many drivers, especially those with back pain. Heated seats can help alleviate tension in the back.
Adjustable Height Seat Belt	Assist drivers in reaching for or buckling/unbuckling.
Auto Tailgate	Requires no strength or balance to open and close trunk or rear door
Power Side Doors	Require no strength or balance to open and close side doors.
Heated Side Mirrors	This feature eliminates the need to scrape ice in inclement weather.
Rear Visibility	For those who have difficulty turning or twisting to look to the rear when changing lanes or backing up, larger rear windows can improve overall visibility and reduces turning required for backing up.
Rear Back-up Camera	Also known as backing aids, either rear view video cameras or parking distance sensors can be beneficial to older drivers with difficulty with mobility and neck movement.
Active Parallel Park Assistance	Active park assist helps driver’s parallel park with the touch of a button, requiring less twisting of the upper body.
Front or Rear Sensors	Sensors monitor immediate space ahead of and behind vehicle to minimize driver twisting and upper body rotation.
Emergency Brake w/foot engagement & disengagement	A foot-engaged emergency brake can be easier to use than a hand-operated brake.

Four Door Models	Though not as sporty, four-door models make entry and exit easier, especially if the car has a rear seat. Two-door cars also have longer, heavier doors, requiring more strength to open and close.
Thick Steering Wheel	Thicker steering wheels require less hand and wrist strength to grip and handle.
Keyless Entry	Operated by a push-button on the key fob, this feature is good for those with arthritic hands who find it painful to twist a key.
Power Mirrors	Power mirrors and seats are easier to adjust for drivers with limited strength or arthritis.
Larger Dashboard Controls With Buttons	Audio and climate controls with large features and contrasting text are easier to see and manipulate, and thus less distracting.
Keyless Ignition	Utilizing a dash-mounted push-button instead of a traditional key, keyless ignition is beneficial to those with stiff or painful fingers who find it difficult to twist the ignition key.
Auto Tailgate	Power rear lift gates or rear hatches benefit seniors by preventing struggling with a heavy rear hatch, thus requiring no strength to open and close trunk or rear door.
Power Side Doors	Requires no strength to open and close side doors.
Heated Side Mirrors	This feature eliminates the need to scrape ice in inclement weather.
Gear Select	Sliding gear selectors eliminate the need to press selector button when changing gears.
Automatic Wipers	A rain sensor or rain switch is a switching device activated by rainfall. These sensors eliminate the need to manually turn wipers on and off.

Adjustable Foot Pedals	With a push of a button, the driver can adjust the accelerator and brake pedals, a feature especially helpful for petite drivers to reach the pedals while ensuring they are a safe distance (about 12 inches) from the airbag mounted in the steering-wheel
Adjustable Steering Wheel (height / * / telescoping)	The extra adjustments help the driver find a safe distance from the front airbag, as well as a comfortable position that alleviates knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder pain.
Six-Way Adjustable Seats	These require less strength to adjust. At a minimum, the seats should offer six-way adjustment: forward and backward, up and down, and seatback forward and backward.

Self-Rating Tool

Professional Assessment

Vision

Hearing

Reaction Time

Medical Conditions & Medications

Mind & Cognition

Prepare for a Drive

Everyday Driving Challenges

Driving in Bad Weather

Handle Unexpected Situations

Driver Improvement Courses for Seniors

Keep Your Mind & Body Fit

Driver Improvement Courses For Seniors

Car Buying, Maintenance & Assistive Accessories

Other Ways to Get Around

Know When to be Concerned

Conversations About Driving

Help Seniors Stay Independent

SMART FEATURES FOR OLDER DRIVERS

Cognitive decline or reduced mental capabilities

Diminished vision

Limited upper body range of motion (back / neck / shoulders / arms)

Arthritic hands / diminished motor skills

Short-statured / overweight

Decreased leg strength