Driving evaluations. What if he passes?

My mom did the driving evaluation. But it didnt really solve anything because she didnt believe them when she didnt pass. They did some cognitive stuff and reaction type stuff prior to the driving also. This was a place that evaluated seniors and also others that have had injuries after rehab to be cleared to drive. Mom showtimed with the best of them, so I did "load the dice" so to speak. I deliberately scheduled the appointment for later in the afternoon, when I knew she usually had more issues. But it was obvious to the examiner anyway. She couldnt follow multi step instructions like go two blocks and turn left. Drifted in the lane. And also slow reaction time.
But it was somewhat easier as she didnt have her car with her in town with me. It simply is being " taken care of" by my sister.
She still thinks she can drive but as she is now in memory care I dont have to worry about it anymore. Her car has been given to her soon to be 16 year kld grandson, which is what she said ahe would do if she couldnt drive pre dementia.

I don't know what age this person is but the Drs know and shouldn't be asking for your permission. They should be stating the facts to the patient in their best interest. My mother(86) was told truthfully that at her age she probably wouldn't survive an accident. Could be a slight accident but if the airbag is deployed it could crush her frail body. She too, felt she could pass the test. We went online for just a practice version and she failed. She tried again, no. I think this gave her something to think about and she didn't press the issue any further. On the road many feel confident that they're good drivers but you can't control the ones who are not. The main question is how the condition of vehicle is? Dents, dings and scrapes are the definitive sign that there's a driving impairment.
Try the free trial test online before forking out big bucks.
Wish you well.

You can contact your local DMV directly and tell them that there is an unsafe driver in your household that should not be driving, but refuses to stop. They can actually administer a driving test to him that will prove that he is unsafe. Your MD does not need to become involved.

This is what I do professionally: qualify people to take the driving evaluation (or not). Some insist that I let them even after I tell them they won't pass. This is a pass/fail evaluation, with results reported to your state motor vehicle administration. If he does not pass, his license is immediately revoked. If he doesn't turn it in they will come to your home (at least in Maryland) to take it from him. If he does pass, he can drive legally. He will be "on the radar" and can be required to re-test every 2 years to maintain qualification.

You can report him to your state motor vehicle department, medical office. They will review his medical records to see if he has any conditions or diagnoses that could impair his driving ability. They will then require him to be evaluated or surrender his license.

Veterans can usually get this evaluation for free at a local VA hospital.

The testing involves completing forms (don't help him), a cognitive test, tests for speed of reflexes, and on-the-road testing in their car, not his.

Do not involve his MD unless you are sure he thinks DH can't drive or there are medical records with a cognitive diagnosis. Do talk to his eye doctor to be certain he has the acuity, peripheral vision and depth perception to be a safe driver. If these have not been tested find another eye doctor.

Bottom line: don't worry about DH passing. I have never seen a patient pass who didn't really have the skills to drive safely. The people doing the testing are professional OTs or PTs who understand what is required to be a safe driver.

I'd guess it's pretty likely he wouldn't pass as long as the evaluating person has been told everything about his cognitive condition. He might handle the news that he's not capable if it comes from a neutral party.

I'll bet the folks evaluating him see this kind of thing all the time. If someone is asking to be evaluated to prove they're capable of driving, then that's a pretty big red flag that they aren't.

Doctor said he would order WHAT if you wanted it? The doctor should be taking his license and notifying DMV if your husband has a diagnosis of dementia. You will have to be honest with your husband and tell him the facts. Trying to hide the truth only makes things worse. Should he ignore you, go to take the test, pass and be licensed there is likely little you can do if your Doctor won't help you. Do not drive in the car with him.

Have the DR report DH to DMV with his dx of Alzheimer's. It might be the easiest route and then blame the DR for his nondriving status.

Because of my father's passive/aggressive behavior mom wouldn't confront dad about driving. For months I'd ask dad not to drive. Please stop driving. FINALLY he agreed but before I got the car disposed of ... yup he drove. We were talking of parking it far away in the lower parking lot of the facility but got it donated and it finally got towed off.

Of course this wasn't the end of it. For the next couple years he'd bring up he was perfectly capable of driving. He made the mistake of complaining to his DR and she replied with 6 words: "Richard, we talked about your driving."

For some elders if is very hard to give up driving - it's one more loss; loss of independence.

Good luck.

Are you sure the rehab facility is the one that gets to decide he is capable? Doesn't the DMV ultimately have final say? (I don't actually know -- just posing the question). You can anonymously report him to the DMV online and make your case why he should be called in for a retest. If he has cognitive and not just physical impairment, you can make sure they also know this information.

The place where I took mom to be tested for dementia also did a simulated driving test.  It not only measured their reactions to things but their response time.  Mom failed the test twice.  I said to her that I didn't think she could live with herself if she were to kill a child or a car filled with a young family.  After explaining that her slowed response time could very well result in a tragedy... she seemed more agreeable to not driving.

We face this with my FIL too. Dr's said No, social workers said No but he NEEDED to feel we were on his side. He has duel demensias ASLD and Vascular. He has had a major stroke that did quite a bit of damage, his Cog scores are low. His movement and reflexes are limited. He needs a walker and shuffle walks. I know he can't pass, but we got him a booklet anyway. We told him to study and every so often we let him do an online practice test, he fails miserably missing at least half the questions. We keep telling him study and when you pass we will request a full re-evaluation. We know the state isn't going to give it back but it gives him hope and makes him feel like he has some say in it all. I can't tell you if that would help your case but he can't read/write well this might be an idea you could utilize.