Can we get my 83-year-old mother's licenses revoked if we feel that she is a danger on the roads?

Avie: have you had that discussion with her yet? I know that sounds funny, but sometimes we think of the remedy before asking those tough questions. Maybe she is waiting for someone to intervene. Mom drove until she was 80 and did fairly well. However, fate intervened and she moved out here to live near us and left her car behind. It was sad for her to say good-bye to the little car she kept spotless for years.
If she is becoming a danger to herself and others on the road you owe it to everyone to step in. You may try your local DMV website to see if they have any guidelines...they may be able to intervene on a legal basis. Also, can you assure your mom that her transportation needs will be met when she gives up her license....ya' know it's never about the driving, but more the loss of independence. An elderly neighbor once described it as a "little death" when she had to stop driving.
Good luck....let us know if you found a new way to approach an old problem...
Lilli

Maybe if you follow her while driving and video tape her driving...going to slow, too fast, not stopping etc. Maybe she will get the hint.

Contact the DMV and ask that she be medically certified by her doctor.
The police sent a request to DMV for me and my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's / Dementia and no longer allowed to drive.
Other drivers had began complaining about her unsafe driving.

You might also contact her insurance company to ask that they request that she be medically certified. If she can't get insurance, she can't drive.

If your mother's doctor will be "the heavy" and tell her it's time to stop driving, that would be the easiest option for you. But some doctors either will not do this, or out-and-out admit they are uncomfortable doing this (This was what happened in our case.) Another option I heard of was is that you can contact your DMV and anonymously report the name of your mother as someone who needs to be tested. Then the DMV will send your mother a formal request in the mail to have her driving tested. Another option is to ask a a trusted relative ( whom your mother likes and respects) to present the situation to your mother and carefully handle giving her the news that it is indeed time to stop driving. This is not easy ......many of us have discovered this along the way. My father actively resisted stopping too, and my mother "blocked" us from stopping him. People were starting to come to me in concern over the fact that he was still driving, and we were seeing dings on Dad's car. You kind of have to finally take the bull by the horns and just get it done, if you know that it's time. I remember that "the grandchild test" was helpful to me.....When I knew that I would never put one of my kids in the car with Dad driving, that was the signal.

Thank you all so much for your very helpful advice. Even though I am states away from mom, I can still make contact with her doctor(s) and the DMV and see what I can do. It is so hard. My father was driving til he died. he was hitting cars in parking lots and driving away. The cops even caught him once, he was almost clueless that he hit a car. It was a constant worry. he has since passed away, but this is a major concern no doubt. Thanks again !

After my mother's licence was suspended three years ago due to Alzheimer's / Dementia she continues to complain till this day about it.
She forgets that she sold her car and home. Claims every car in the driveway is hers and wants me to take her back to her house every night.

Oh, I know it's got to be very hard . . . I am lucky so far in that my mom still has her mind, but I am seeing the beginning of little signs of forgetfulness and bits of confusion, but she is keeping up with her bills and never late on a payment. In fact, worrying about her bills (eventhough she complains about having to pay them) keeps her alert and gives her something to do. I am contacting her DMV today via email for starters and see if they can advise me on what we can do to get her off the roads. I can get her insurance co. name and maybe contact them as well. I have a start and so glad for all the helpful info here - this is a great site.

Avie,
My mom is the same age. I called her Doctor and we both went in for an appointment. He told her if she does not give me the keys he will be forced to notify the registry of motor vehicles to revoke her license. That Day I took possession of the car. It's been a battle, however I keep reminding my mom of what the doctor will do if the car is returned to her.
Bill

Thank you Bill . . . I am just starting this process, this helps alot. It's hard when we are at a distance. I'm going to try and see if I can get connected to her doctor from a distance, by phone or letter and perhaps he can talk with her when he sees her again. If I can make plans to get up there, I can go with her to the doctor. That would probably be the best way. If they would only realize we are doing these things in their best interest, but it doesn't always work that way. I don't wan to wait til I get a call she's been in a horrible accident or worse. Thanks again!