<p>Google “drive rehabilitation program”. Many states offer such programs, usually through an occupational therapist at a rehabilitation facility. These programs do not have any final say regarding the ability to continue driving. Rather, they can assess cognitive and motor ability (among other things) through the use of a driver simulation machine. Then, assuming the senior citizen gets past this point, there is usually a road test given on the property. The program we looked into was around $300.</p>
<p>We looked into such a program when my dad’s driving became dangerous. He made noises about attending, but in the end I think he knew he wouldn’t be able to pass. We finally had to take his keys away after he mixed up the brake/gas pedals and zoomed backwards out of his garage, across the street, and into the neighbor’s garage. He claimed it was the car’s fault. However, we told him that next time this might happen at the local shopping center and instead of hitting a garage, he might hit someone’s grandchild. That seemed to drive the point home.</p>
<p>There is an AAA Roadwise Review course that can be purchased for $5 for AAA members or $7 for others (free at some libraries), where people can use the software to evaluate their driving in the privacy of their own homes. [AAA</a> Roadwise Review - New Self-Assessment Tool Helps Senior Drivers Stay Safe](<a href=“http://www.aaa-hawaii.com/members/corpinfo/roadwise.aspx]AAA”>http://www.aaa-hawaii.com/members/corpinfo/roadwise.aspx). AAA recommends drivers use it every year to check their cognitive abilities to drive safely.</p>
<p>It might be an inexpensive starting point? I plan to get it so we can check it out.</p>
<p>AARP also guides you through how to do this step-by-step on their website, with text, audio & video.</p>
<p>Will print it the guide out as well and see how we go with getting the subject broached. The good thing is that my folks ARE limiting their night time driving significantly, so that’s a step in the right direction.</p>
<p>If you can communicate with the doctor, see if he/she knows of such a program locally. If it’s an OT program, it’ll require a referral from the doc. The one my Dad was going to do cost around $400, one more reason he wasn’t pleased.</p>
<p>As I mentioned upthread, I wasn’t above turning my father in to the DMV. There was some problem with the state of Washington, where they lived at that time. But just out of curiosity, I decided to check my state. Googling “dmv california, elder unsafe driver” turned up this very helpful info: [Potentially</a> Unsafe Driver](<a href=“http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl10.htm]Potentially”>http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl10.htm). Maybe your state has something similar.</p>
<p>Dad used to argue when we offered to drive at night, but he hasn’t argued the point for a very long time now. He will let any of us, including our S drive him & mom instead of always insisting on being the driver. Mom has always preferred being a passenger to being a driver and generally doesn’t drive more than 2-5 miles/day. I try to drive her whenever possible, but haven’t lately because other events have popped up for both of us.</p>
<p>Our state does have some reporting requirement on the books that docs turn in unsafe drivers to DMV, but have never heard of that happening at all.</p>
<p>When I googled driver rehabilitation, there is none in our state. :(</p>