My husband's doctor told him he should not drive about 9 months ago. Dh hasn't driven since, but lately he's been making remarks about buying an inexpensive car for him to get around in. I'm sure he could find some hungry salesman who would sell him a car as he does still have a valid Drivers License. I've looked on the Washington state DOL website for direction as to how to proceed with having his license pulled, but I'm not finding any useful info. Have any of you had to go to your state DOL and tell them of your spouse's dx and that they need to have their license pulled? I think that's what I need to do I just don't know how to get it done. Any suggestions?
maybe his dr would notify the DOL for you and the state will request a test or to surrender the DL. you can get him an ID that looks like a license to carry. divvi
There's a lot of information related to your question on the "Driving Issue" thread, but it's a lot to go through.
The bottom line is that if the doctor said no driving, I would ask him to notify the DOL that your husband is not allowed to drive due to his dementia, and that will close the case.
I wouldn't go the driving test route as Divvi suggested, because unless they're very far into AD, most everyone I know has passed that test, including my husband. It just doesn't test their judgement, their ability to respond in an emergency. It simply tests their driving ability. As I said, Sid passed that @#%* test, but the next week, while I was driving with him, he forgot to put on his directional signals to change lanes, and almost got us sideswiped. His reasoning after the fact was that the accident wouldn't have been that bad because he wasn't driving that fast. A week later, he did the same thing, and that's when I stopped the driving. That was 3 years ago, and he hasn't gotten over it. Never will, but at least I know that he's not going to kill us or anyone else.
Maybe your hb is more aware than mine but when I went to renew my license my hb was with me. While they were renewing mine I casually said I needed to get my hb an ID instead of renewing his sometime in the near future. All the time I was talking to the lady my hb was asking to go to the restroom and it was obvious by his behavior he wasn't quite right. I handed her my card explaining he had dementia, she said we can take care of that today, no problem. He now has the ID and he was totally unaware even though he was right there listening the whole time. I didn't think at the time he was that far gone and he would pick up what I was doing. I was glad it went so smooth but sad about the reality of yet another eye opener.
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. My DH gave up driving about 3 years ago & has no interest in driving. In fact he is afraid of it. We did renew his license last year, but it is in my wallet. I’m not worried that he will want to drive again because the last time he drove he didn’t even know how to start the van up (we don’t have a traditional key we have one of those fob thingies & he just couldn’t figure out where to put it). I’m glad that I don’t have that as an issue cuz I have so many others!
How to report an unsafe driver If you feel that someone you know is no longer able to operate a vehicle safely, complete a Recommendation for Driver Reexamination http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/520005.html
Things to remember when reporting an unsafe driver All information submitted must be personal knowledge or observation. We won’t accept second-hand information or anonymous letters. The age of the driver isn’t a consideration. Just because a driver has reached a particular age doesn’t mean that he or she is an unsafe driver. Medical conditions affecting driver safety can happen to anyone at any age. What happens after we receive a report We’ll review the information to determine the next step. Often, we’ll send the driver a medical or vision certificate asking for more information from a physician or eye care practitioner.
We may require the driver to complete a re-examination of driving knowledge and skills. Depending on the skill level demonstrated by the driver, we may take action such as requiring equipment to accommodate impairments.
If we determine that the driver is a threat to public safety, we may cancel his or her driving privilege.
Confidentiality Under Washington State law, information we receive about unsafe drivers isn’t confidential and will be provided to the driver or their attorney upon written request. However, don’t let that stop you from intervening when safety is at risk.
DH's dr wrote a letter (w/o tellings us) to the division of motor vehicles advising them that DH was not competent to drive due to his condition. DMV wrote asking DH to surrender license - we never did because he used it for ID but once I started doing all the driving he's never asked to drive (we sold his car so he wasn't tempted to drive).
My experience was similar to Cricket's, except that I called the Motor Vehicle Admin. in advance and explained the situation. I was directed to the appropriate person, made an appointment, and we went in. I renewed my license, and told my husband he was renewing his, but he actually received the State ID instead. He was none the wiser--the process was the same, we both had our photos taken, etc. No muss, no fuss.
I know, Nora. The timing was good, he had reached the point where he was satisfied being told it was a license, and I don't think I even let him see it. The woman just handed both to me and I put them in my wallet.
DH's Dr. sent a letter to the DMV (PA) re: his condition and that he shouldn't be driving. Several weeks later DH got the worst worded letter from them stating that he had 2 weeks to give up his license or the State Police would come and take it! He was devastated and at first thought it was a joke. He was distraught for months over this. He did send it in though but protested it and they said if he could pass the written and driving test than he could get his license back. It's been about 3 years now and every once in a while he will get upset and say he wants to get his license and I hand him the book to study and tell him we have to make an appointment which will take several weeks. He has yet to get past the first page of the book and then forgets about it. We did get him a photo ID which I keep as he loses his wallet all the time.