This paper discusses European research on older drivers published since 1985. It is not intended to be an exhaustive review, rather, the focus is on those issues that have been most topical during the past fifteen years. First, the paper deals with general efforts to integrate ageing into transport policy design. The emphasis is placed on differences in the European and American perspectives and discourse. Second, some research issues that have been topical in the European research agenda are reviewed, with a few examples of each. Third, a brief outline is given of newly emerging research issues of importance. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.