If your loved one has dementia, deciding when they can no longer drive may be difficult. They may react in different ways.
They may be aware they are having problems, and they may be relieved to stop driving.
They may feel their independence is being taken away and object to stopping driving.
Signs That Driving may no Longer be Safe
People with signs of dementia should have regular driving tests. Even if they pass a driving test, they should be retested in 6 months.
If your loved one does not want you getting involved in their driving, get help from their health care provider, lawyer, or other family members.
Even before you see driving problems in someone with dementia, look for signs that the person may not be able to drive safely, such as:
Forgetting recent events
Mood swings or getting angry more easily
Problems doing more than one task at a time
Problems judging distance
Trouble making decisions and solving problems
Becoming confused more easily
Signs that driving may be getting more dangerous include:
Getting lost on familiar roads
Reacting more slowly in traffic
Driving too slowly or stopping for no reason
Not noticing or paying attention to traffic signs
Taking chances on the road
Drifting into other lanes
Getting more agitated in traffic
Getting scrapes or dents on the car
Having trouble parking
Steps to Take
It may help to set limits when driving problems start.
Stay off busy roads, or do not drive at times of the day when traffic is heaviest.
Do not drive at night when it is hard to see landmarks.
Do not drive when the weather is bad.
Do not drive long distances.
Drive only on roads the person is used to.
Caregivers should try to lessen the person's need to drive without making them feel isolated. Have someone deliver groceries, meals, or prescriptions to their home. Find a barber or hairdresser who will make home visits. Arrange for family and friends to visit and take them out for a few hours at a time.
Plan other ways to get your loved one to places where they need to go. Family members or friends, buses, taxis, and senior transportation services may be available.
As danger to others or to your loved one increases, you may need to prevent them from being able to use the car. Ways to do this include:
Hiding the car keys
Disabling car keys so that the car will not start
Disabling the car so it will not start
Selling the car
Storing the car away from the home
References
Budson AE, Solomon PR. Life adjustments for memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. In: Budson AE, Solomon PR, eds. Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 28.
Carr DB, O'Neill D. Mobility and safety issues in drivers with dementia. Int Psychogeriatr. 2015;27(10):1613-1622. PMID: 26111454 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26111454/.
Review Date:
4/17/2022
Reviewed By:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
