One in three older people who no longer drive are unable to shop or go to the doctor, a survey has found.

Many elderly Victorians who stop driving due to old age or medical advice are often stuck at home and socially isolated, the RACV study found.

The RACV's chief behavioural scientist, Anne Harris, said that isolation due to poor transport options "can mean an increased likelihood of depression and associated illnesses".

Ms Harris said the RACV study showed there was no state-wide body overseeing the co-ordination of transport initiatives for elderly people.

The RACV surveyed 125 elderly people who had stopped driving, and interviewed local councils to identify transport options. The study found that:

■32 per cent of people stopped driving because they were sick.
■13 per cent stopped driving because they were not confident behind the wheel.
■Almost all relied on taxis for transport.
■50 per cent said they had no way to travel to family or social functions because they had stopped driving.

The study found that those in regional and outer-suburban areas had poor or non-existent public transport options.

The RACV wants the State Government to take responsibility for and co-ordinate local transport for those who cannot drive.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin said that improving bus services would help non-drivers.