What do we do when it’s unsafe for our aging parents to drive?
Taking the keys away from your aging parent isn’t always easy. But sometimes you can get help.
Sheri Gipson is the Driver License Division Chief for the Department of Public Safety in Texas. She talks with Kim and Mike Barnes of Parenting Aging Parents about what an adult child should do if they don’t think their parent should be driving anymore.
Every state chooses how to handle drivers licenses. Here is a list of the department that handles it in each state:
Alabama – Department of Public Safety
Alaska – Division of Motor Vehicles
Arizona – Department of Transportation
Arkansas – Office of Driver Services
California – Department of Motor Vehicles
Colorado – Division of Motor Vehicles
Connecticut – Department of Motor Vehicles
Washington, D.C. – Department of Motor Vehicles
Delaware – Division of Motor Vehicles
Florida – Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Georgia – Department of Driver Services
Hawaii – Department of Transportation
Idaho – Division of Motor Vehicles
Illinois – Office of the Secretary of State
Indiana- Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Iowa – Department of Transportation
Kansas – Division of Vehicles
Kentucky – Driver Licensing Division
Louisiana – Office of Motor Vehicles
Maine – Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Maryland – Motor Vehicle Administration
Massachusetts – Registry of Motor Vehicles
Michigan – Office of the Secretary of State
Minnesota – Division of Driver and Vehicle Services
Mississippi – Department of Public Safety
Missouri – Missouri Department of Revenue
Montana – Department of Justice’s Motor Vehicle Division
Nebraska – Department of Motor Vehicles
Nevada – Department of Motor Vehicles
New Hampshire – Division of Motor Vehicles
New Jersey – Motor Vehicle Commission
New Mexico – Motor Vehicle Division
New York – Department of Motor Vehicles
North Carolina – Department of Motor Vehicles
North Dakota – Department of Transportation
Ohio – Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Oklahoma – Department of Public Safety
Oregon – Department of Motor Vehicles
Pennsylvania – Department of Transportation
Rhode Island – Division of Motor Vehicles
South Carolina – Department of Motor Vehicles
South Dakota – Department of Public Safety
Tennessee – Driver Services Division
Texas – Department of Public Safety
Utah – Department of Public Safety
Vermont – Office of the Secretary of State
Virginia – Department of Motor Vehicles
Washington – Department of Licensing
West Virginia – Division of Motor Vehicles
Wisconsin – Division of Motor Vehicles
Wyoming – Department of Transportation
Before you get the authorities involved, it’s great if a parent makes the decision to quit driving themselves. Click here for an interview with retired State Trooper Matt Gurwell. He works with older adults and their families to start and guide the conversation and decision.
Read the full transcript
Transcript of Interview: “How do you take the keys away?”
Mike Barnes:
I think we’ve all gone through this with our aging parents already. No matter how old they are, I don’t like the way you’re driving and just wondering, is it okay for them to be driving? We want to make sure they’re safe.
Kim Barnes:
Yeah, absolutely. We get a lot of questions about options and maybe what suggestions we might have for making that decision or helping them make that decision. Today, we’re bringing in Driver License Division Chief Sheri Gipson from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Thanks so much for being with us.
Sheri Gipson:
Thank you for having me.
Mike Barnes:
So, what do we do if we feel like our parents shouldn’t be driving anymore?
Sheri Gipson:
Well, there are a couple of options. Obviously, the first thing you do is talk to your parents about that. Some may be more cooperative than others about not driving any longer. But if you feel like you need to take some action against their driver license privileges, then there is a process in place, a Medical Advisory Board review process that we use. We ask that the friend, family member, physician, law enforcement officer, whoever has the concern, can reach out to us by email and send the information to mab@dps.texas.gov. Provide the person’s information and as much detail as you can so that we can identify the correct record. Also, identify the issues that you think that individual may be having, whether it’s mobility, a medical issue that could cause them to lose control of the vehicle, anything like that. Once that’s received at the department, we look at it and do a review.
Mike Barnes:
What are the different options you might take once you receive the report?
Sheri Gipson:
We may send the individual a letter and tell them they need to contact their local driver license office to see about doing an additional drive exam. Or, we may send them directly to the Medical Advisory Board review process, which is partnered with the Department of State Health Services. There’s a team of doctors who are assigned to review the driver license cases. This process involves the individual receiving a packet of information that has to be completed by their physician and sent back to the Department of State Health Services. They do a review and make several determinations: they may say the person is okay to continue driving, they may refer them back to us for a comprehensive test, or they could say the person is not capable of driving any longer. At that point, the department will initiate a suspension action against their driving privileges.
Kim Barnes:
Is that report that somebody submits anonymous?
Sheri Gipson:
It can be anonymous. Obviously, if you’re comfortable providing your name and information, that just makes it a little easier for us. But the information can be submitted anonymously. We do get that quite frequently with family members because if the person requests the information, we have to provide it to them as it is part of their record. If it’s submitted anonymously, the person would get the submission but without any identifying information.
Kim Barnes:
If the parent or older adult gets the letter that says we want you to come in and have a test, and they ignore it, what happens?
Sheri Gipson:
If they don’t comply with the request for either the medical information for the MAB or the request to go into the driver license office, we will initiate an action against their driver license privileges. They will get an additional letter notifying them that they need to either contact the office or provide the medical information. If they still continue to not respond, then we will take the suspension action and send them a letter saying they’re no longer allowed to drive.
Mike Barnes:
Can you just make a reservation and bring a parent in if they’re willing, of course, to take a test?
Sheri Gipson:
Yes, anytime you can have a parent voluntarily tested or a child, whichever the case may be. You would just make an appointment at the local driver license office for a test and then when you go in, explain that you want to have a voluntary test done to ensure they’re safe to drive.
Kim Barnes:
Would that be the actual driving test?
Sheri Gipson:
Yes, that would be the actual driving test.
Mike Barnes:
Is there ever a point at which you have to answer all those questions again, like when you got your driver’s license, and you have to take the written test?
Sheri Gipson:
That is part of the comprehensive test. If the license and permit specialist determines that they need to go through the comprehensive skills testing process, that includes the driving test, the vision test, and the written skills test.
Kim Barnes:
How does the process for renewing your driver’s license change as we get older?
Sheri Gipson:
There is no automatic testing age, but once you turn 79, if your license expires on your 79th birthday or after, you’re no longer allowed to renew your driver license through the mail or online. You’re required to go into the driver license office so that the license and permit specialist can do an evaluation to determine if some examinations are needed. Once you turn 85 and your license expires on your 85th birthday or after, you are required to renew every two years.
Mike Barnes:
My dad had a medical problem recently and was told not to drive for a few days. He said he wouldn’t, but then I found out he was driving. If the doctor says not to drive anymore and someone finds out a parent is still driving, can this be handled long distance?
Sheri Gipson:
Yes, you can report it from wherever you are. The report can come from anywhere and it won’t change how we process it. Once we start either the medical review or the testing process, you might need to have someone local help them through that process and get them to the driver license office, depending on the circumstances.
Kim Barnes:
It’s such an emotional issue for a lot of older adults because driving is a sign of independence. We have many people in our community who have real concerns about their parents causing an accident or getting lost. It’s good to know there are options to help, not to take away their privileges, but to protect them and others.
Sheri Gipson:
Yes, it is a safety factor. When they come into the driver license office, it’s for a very short period of time, so they may appear to be fine. The family, friends, and physicians have more information, so if there is a true concern, it’s critical for them to let us know so we can initiate that action and ensure safety for everyone.
Mike Barnes:
Is there any concern about actually taking the car keys away and them getting upset, saying they’ll call the police?
Sheri Gipson:
I would recommend going through the testing process. You can take the keys away, but I would contact local law enforcement to get their direction and advice on that. If they report the car stolen, it could create a lot of issues.
Kim Barnes:
Do different states have different age requirements for renewals and in-person testing?
Sheri Gipson:
Yes, every state’s laws and requirements are different. It’s always best to reach out to the state where the driver’s license is issued to find out their specific requirements.
Mike Barnes:
Thank you so much for clearing up a lot of confusion.
Sheri Gipson:
You’re more than welcome.
Kim Barnes:
It’s such a touchy subject, but it’s good to know there are guardrails in place for safety.
Mike Barnes:
If you have any topics you’d like us to discuss, please let us know.
*This transcript is auto-generated. Please excuse any typos or mistakes.
