In our state Driving for Independence test dementia patients for driving skills. I had the doctor tell him he had to take the test. He did pass but will have to take the test again in a year.

With my Mom, the neurologist was the one to make that call. Mom had only been driving to grocery store and Walgreens (both a short distance from home), but the Dr. told her it was time that she no longer drove the car. That was based on his observations of her cognitive and memory tests he would give her at each visit. She was very resentful, asking what she had done to deserve the keys being taken away. In fact, she was so angry she hid all the keys from the key board! Then she didn't remember hiding them (LOL). We searched for 2 days to find them all!

We had to have the doctor explain to both her and my Dad at the next visit what he said and why he was doing it, as my Dad also didn't really hear it that first time. My sister and I started attending these Dr. visits due to the fact that Dad was also having hearing and memory issues, would say everything was fine, etc, which it was not. The Dr. set aside extra time to spend with them on that visit. Thank goodness for email communication with the doctor ahead of time. I can say what I need to say without my parents hearing, hurting feelings. The Dr. told mom that if she had gotten in an accident they would take his license away because she was under his care. That seemed to help a little, but still she was very hurt and the loss of her independence was becoming painfully obvious to her and all of us actually.

Two years later she doesn't think about it much, but still thinks she can drive - not that she tries. We just change the subject. She is at the stage where she is no longer left alone. It might be an issue when we go to the DMV for the new ID if we do, as the doctor notified the DMV that her license was no longer valid. We will cross the bridge when we come to it. Good luck.

My husband got to the point that he could not figure out how to get anywhere. I had to tell him every turn. At that point I started talking to him about giving up his car, and I drove us everywhere. He finally agreed and we gave his car to my brother.

Please be aware that if your husband has a wreck, and you knew it was unsafe for him to drive, your insurance company will not be happy.

I faced this a while ago. I started to just get out my keys and go to the driver’s seat without saying anything. Usually he’d get in the passenger side. He had had some close driving calls that worried me. He offered to drive sometimes but I’d say “oh thanks but I’m ok”. One day we were going to pick up our son & his wife at the train station. He said “I’ll drive back.” I said “no, it’s not safe.” He asked why. I told him he has Mild Cognitive impairment, so it’s not safe. If I eventually get that I won’t be driving either. Since then he lets me do all the driving. I thought I’d have a fight, but he’s let it go.

Our neurologist said according to cognitive and memory test that he could no longer drive. I was so glad that he was the bearer of that decision. Hubby could not go anywhere by himself because he would get lost. I would let him drive if I was with him. He is angry but still thinks that he will drive again. Still has his drivers license but when it's time to renew I will just get an ID. I plan on calling the ins agent and removing him from insurance policy.