Abstract
Objective：The voluntary driver’s license return system started in 1998. However, few studies exist on the impact of health related factors on intention to return a driver’s license. This survey aimed to determine the impact of health related factors on the returning of driver’s licenses by elderly people.
Methods：We conducted a survey on intention to relinquish driver’s license and health checklist （checklist for care prevention by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare）among elderly. We performed a multivariate analysis considering returning driver’s license as a dependent variable and clarified relevant health perception.
Results：Results of the multivariate analysis showed that the intention to relinquish a driver’s license was not related to age, gender, or awareness of driving decline＂. Risk of cognitive decline＂（OR：3.94） and＂risk of social withdrawal＂（OR：4.20）were related to the returning of licenses. Elderly people with a risk of cognitive decline tended to be unwilling to return their licenses. The most frequent reasons for not wanting to relinquish that the license was indispensable for maintaining quality of life（QOL）.
Conclusion：The elderly’s intention to return the driver’s license was related to the cognitive function and the risk of social withdrawal. In order to maintain the QOL of the elderly, it is necessary to simultaneously promote the use of a cognitive function test at the time of driver’s license renewal as well as provide more efficient transportation system for socially weak people against traffic.
