How to Check Your Car’s Fit as an Older Driver

Start with the car parked

A different car can feel unfamiliar before you even leave the driveway. The brake pedal may sit farther forward, the steering wheel may block part of the instrument panel, or the shoulder belt may land in a different spot. Even in your own car, another driver may have moved the seat or mirrors. A short check while parked gives you time to see how the controls and safety features line up with the way you sit.

Park on level ground, set the parking brake and read the owner’s manual if you’re unsure what an adjustment does. Start with the seat, then check the steering wheel, belt, head restraint and mirrors. The order matters because moving the seat changes what you can see in the mirrors and how far you have to reach for the pedals.

Bring anything you normally use while driving, such as your usual shoes or driving glasses. If someone is helping, ask them to stand beside the open door and describe what they see. You can make one adjustment at a time and check whether it improves your view or reach without creating another problem.

For a related guide, read How to Check Suspicious Calls and Messages as You Age.

Check your reach and your view

Sit back in the seat and see whether you can reach both pedals without sliding your hips forward. Check that you can move your foot easily from the accelerator to the brake. Then look straight ahead. You should have a clear view over the steering wheel and dashboard and be able to read the instruments from your normal driving position.

The American Occupational Therapy Association’s CarFit checklist calls for at least 10 inches between your chest and the driver airbag in the steering wheel. NHTSA also advises sitting at least 10 inches from the wheel. A helper can measure the distance while you sit normally. If moving back leaves you struggling to reach the brake, a driving rehabilitation specialist can help you evaluate ways to improve the fit.

Check the controls you use often, including the turn signals, wipers, lights, hazard flashers and parking brake. Find each one while the car is still parked. In a borrowed or rental car, make a point of locating the defroster too. It’s easier to learn where a control is while you have time to look.

For a related guide, read Balance Exercises for Older Adults: Simple Ways to Get Started Safely.

Recheck the belt, head restraint and mirrors

Fasten your seat belt and see where it rests. The lap portion should sit low across your hips, and the shoulder portion should cross your chest and shoulder. Use the vehicle’s belt-height adjustment if it has one. Check the owner’s manual for the recommended position of the head restraint, especially if the seat or seatback angle changed.

Set the mirrors from the position you’ll actually drive in. Use the center mirror for the view through the rear window and adjust the side mirrors to cover the areas beside the car. If you share a vehicle, save your position using the seat memory feature if available. Mirrors can reduce blind spots, and you should still check for traffic before changing lanes.

Get help if one adjustment creates another problem

If the seat feels comfortable but the belt still rubs against your neck, or if you can see over the dash only by moving too close to the wheel, write down exactly what’s difficult. A specific note about the pedal, belt or sight line gives you a clearer starting point when you ask for help.

CarFit offers free educational checks that take about 20 minutes. A trained volunteer can walk through the adjustments with you and explain how the safety features work. If you have persistent trouble reaching controls or turning to see traffic, ask an occupational therapy professional or driving rehabilitation specialist about a more detailed evaluation. Bring the car you usually drive and mention any adjustments you’ve already tried.