Taking the Keys: What To Do If Mom or Dad Won't Give Them Up

At some time you will feel concern or even fear that Mom or Dad should no longer drive an automobile. You have now reached a decision that the person for whom you are providing care must no longer drive.

We reported earlier on the conditions, considerations and even correction of problems that may negatively affect your parent’s ability to drive safely. Driving ability is not determined by age but, instead, mainly by physical, health and mental status and treatment.

Know that for the affected Mom or Dad the action will probably be traumatic, even a cause for depression. You will be removing the person’s independence, his or her ability to drive to church, supermarket, the park for some sunshine or to visit friends. You will be removing a citizen’s right to drive as authorized by the license. But, it may be necessary.

The most effective method is to have a candid talk with Mom or Dad, seeking to gain her or his voluntary agreement. State your reasons for such recommendations, such as side effects of medication, impaired vision, threatening or limiting physical or health conditions or other.

Prepare and have ready any documentation you’ve gathered. Your request or urging should be based on care and concern for driving safety plus include researched solutions regarding transportation, such as by family members, Dial-A-Ride, public transit, specialized transit minibuses and volunteer chauffeurs.

If the elder does surrender the keys, his or her driver’s license can be exchanged for an identification card at the Department of Motor Vehicles, a document vital for use in cashing checks and for identification purposes.

But, often Mom or Dad won’t agree, at least not without a serious argument.

There are additional ways to capture the keys legally, by invoking the counsel of others.

Consider:

* The physician: Medical doctors are now urged by the American Medical Association (AMA) to offer counsel to caregivers regarding medical and health conditions, side effects of medications and other concerns. The AMA also recommends that they counsel the patient directly and even ask for and accept the car keys. Mature adults often readily accept recommendations by their physicians.

Alternatively, the physician may agree to write a medical status report which you can present to your state Department of Motor Vehicles (more about this below).

* The optometrist/ophthalmologist: As the best possible vision is vital to safe driving, the appropriate eye specialist can conduct a similar meeting with Mom or Dad, also asking for the keys. The ophthalmologist would be acting according to the AMA recommendation.

* State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): The caregiver meets locally with department representatives, presents background and health information in an organized form, and then requests that Mom or Dad receive a request for new vision examinations, tests on paper, and even an examination drive with an inspector. Any action or decision is determined by the inspectors. Such notice can arrive prior to the renewal date on the driver’s license.

Know that there are no national standards or mandates for licensing drivers. Every state has its own program and standards.

The New York state DMV does accept caregiver’s requests for re-testing of older or challenged drivers, also stating that, if requested, it will not release the name of the person making the request. In other states, at some point, Mom or Dad will want to know who made the recommendation for new testing. And he or she deserves an answer.