Driving and Dementia

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s driving and how it affects his safety and others, you can take action that protects him and the community.

What Actions Can You Take?

Encourage the person to voluntarily stop driving

• .Offer alternative forms of transportation.
• Drive, or arrange for someone else to drive.
• Reassure the person that rides will be available.
• Use public transportation or a community driving service.
• Walk when possible.

Solicit the support of others:

• Have skills tested at a special independent driving evaluation center.
• Ask the physician to issue a prescription ordering the person to quit driving.

Make the car less accessible:

• Take away the keys.
• Substitute a key that doesn’t fit.
• Disable the car by removing the distributor cap.
• Have a mechanic install a "kill switch" or alarm system that disengages the fuel line to prevent the car from starting.
• Get rid of the car.
• If you live in Missouri, use a state law to report a person you believe needs to be off the road.

Help From The Drivers License Bureau

After taking the preceding steps, if you still have concerns, you can contact the Drivers License Bureau.

Under Missouri Law, concerned persons can now submit a confidential report requesting an evaluation of a driver whose skills are questionable to the Drivers License Bureau.

Take this simple step to report a person whom you believe needs to be off the road:
Obtain a report form (Driver Condition Report DOR4319) from the Drivers License Bureau, your nearest the Association chapter, or AAA Traffic Safety Department.

The report is easy to complete and will ask information about the individual, the situation, and physical evidence regarding the person’s driving ability. This information must be based on your observation, not the opinion of others.

What Happens Next?
The report is reviewed by the state, and if it’s decided that the driver needs to take an exam, he will be notified by certified mail. The exam may include a written test, driving skills evaluation, highway sign identification test, vision screening, and/or a physical or mental examination.

The exam results determine if the driver has to give up his license or receive a restricted license. If so, he will be notified of this decision by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Impaired-Driver Law

Who can be reported?
Any person with a physical or mental impairment, regardless of age.

Who can file a report?
Family, physicians, health care professionals, law enforcement officers and other concerned citizens.

Will the driver know who made the report?
No. Although the person who initiates the report must sign it, the report is confidential, unless a court order is obtained.

If the driver refuses to take the exam, what happens?
If the driver doesn’t take the exam within 30 days, the license may be revoked.

What will happen if a person filing the report intentionally makes a false report?
The person could be found guilty of a class A misdemeanor and be liable for damages.

What if the driver does not agree with the decision?
The driver can appeal within 30 days after receiving notice of revocation, suspension or restrictions.

>>Call the Helpline (314-432-3422 or 1-800-980-9080) or e-mail Carol.Lawrence@alzstl.org for the "Driving & Dementia" brochure.