Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of driving cessation on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adults who do not have a driver's license.

Method: A cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire was conducted. Participants were 1,200 individuals aged 65 years or older who did not have a driver's license in Japan. Participants answered questions about their HRQOL (HUI3 and SF-8) and driving cessation using a self-administered questionnaire. Those who had surrendered their driver's license were also asked about their HRQOL before driving cessation.

Results: The HRQOL scores of the drivers who ceased driving were significantly lower than those of non-drivers. The HRQOL scores of the drivers who ceased driving were also significantly decreased—from −.816 to −.728 (< .001) for the HUI3 and from 51.5 to 49.5 (< .001) for the physical component summary of the SF-8—when comparing scores before and after driving cessation. The results of our multiple regression analysis showed that the number of years since driving cessation and incidence of major illness also affected HRQOL.

Conclusion: There is a clear relationship between driving cessation and a decrease in HRQOL. This confirms the necessity of implementing measures in the future to address this issue, such as securing means of transportation for older people who have ceased driving.