Senior Driver Training Program

Our goal is to keep seniors on the road safely.

The National Safety Council, Nebraska’s Senior Driving Program can help older adults continue to safely drive on Nebraska’s roads for as long as possible. As we age, it’s important to know and understand how to adjust tor slower reflexes, weaker vision, and other changes. This program is for any older adult driver who would like to assess and improve their driving skills to reduce risk to themselves, their passengers, and others on the road.

According to the CDC, there were more than 40 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the United States in 2015. Driving helps older adults stay mobile and independent. But the risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash increases as you age.

• In 2014, more than 5,700 older adults were killed and more than 236,000 were treated in emergency departments for motor vehicle crash injuries. This amounts to 16 older adults killed and 648 injured in crashes on average every day.
• There were more than 40 million licensed older drivers in 2015, which is a 50 percent increase from 1999.

Program Details:

1. Eligibility: Must possess a valid driver license.
2. Driver self-assessment: Student completes a driving skills self-assessment upon program registration.
3. Behind-the-wheel assessment: Behind-the-wheel road assessment designed to assess skills in practical driving situations.
4. Recommendation:  Student may be recommended to complete a four-hour online AAA “Road Wise Driver” course or four-hour in-person NSCN “Coaching the Experienced Driver” course and/or complete additional BTW drive sessions. Also student may be referred to a Driver Rehabilitation and/or medical facility if BTW instructor determines driver needs further assessment.
5. Assessment outcome meeting:  Program staff meets with student and/or family member(s) and/or responsible party to discuss behind-the-wheel driving assessment results and recommendations. If necessary, NSCN will refer students with suspected physical or cognitive driving impairments to a Driver Rehabilitation or medical facility for further assessment. Student may also be referred back to NSCN from Driver Rehabilitation facilities if necessary.