# Talking with a parent about driving > Watch for warning signs like new dents, getting lost on familiar roads, near misses, tickets or confusion at intersections, and ride along. Talk early, privately and respectfully, focusing on safety, not age. Involve their doctor, who may suggest a professional driving evaluation. Try limits like no night or highway driving, and plan other ways to get around. If driving is truly unsafe, it may be time to stop; a doctor’s advice helps. - URL: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=talking-about-driving ## Step by step 1. **Worried about a parent’s driving?** Driving means independence, so this talk is hard. Here’s how to have it with care, and keep everyone safe. 2. **Watch for warning signs.** New dents, getting lost on familiar roads, near misses, tickets, or confusion at intersections. Ride along to see for yourself. 3. **Talk early, privately, with respect.** Focus on safety, not age. Use “we,” share what you’ve noticed, and listen to their worries about losing independence. 4. **Involve their doctor.** Vision, hearing, medicines and memory all affect driving. A doctor can check, and may suggest a professional driving evaluation. 5. **Try small changes first.** Limits like no night or highway driving, shorter familiar trips, and a refresher class can keep someone driving safely longer. 6. **Plan other ways to get around.** Family rides, public transit, paratransit, ride services and senior transportation programs. Your Area Agency on Aging can help find them. 7. **If it’s truly unsafe, act.** With serious memory loss or dangerous driving, it may be time to stop. A doctor’s advice helps, and some states let doctors or family request a driving review. ## Checklist - Watch for warning signs; ride along - Talk early, privately and kindly - Involve their doctor - Try limits and a refresher class - Plan other ways to get around - If unsafe, act with the doctor’s help ## Warning signs New dents or scrapes, getting lost on familiar routes, near misses, tickets or warnings, trouble at intersections or with lane changes, slow reactions, or friends and neighbors expressing concern. Ride along to see for yourself. ## Having the talk - Start early, before there’s a crash. - Choose a calm, private moment. - Focus on safety, not age; share specific things you’ve noticed. - Listen to worries about independence and isolation. - Involve the person they trust most. ## Involve their doctor Vision, hearing, medicines, and memory or thinking changes affect driving. A doctor can check and may recommend an evaluation by an occupational therapist or driver rehabilitation specialist. ## Small changes first No night driving, avoiding highways and bad weather, shorter familiar trips, a newer car with safety features, or a refresher driving course. ## Other ways to get around Family and friends, public transit, paratransit for people with disabilities, ride services, and senior transportation programs. Your Area Agency on Aging can help find options. ## When it’s unsafe With serious memory loss or dangerous driving, stopping may be necessary. A doctor’s recommendation can help. In some states, doctors or family can ask the DMV to review a driver. ## Common questions ### At what age should someone stop driving? There’s no set age. It depends on health and abilities. Focus on safety and warning signs, not birthdays. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/at-what-age-should-someone-stop-driving ### What if my parent refuses to stop driving? Involve their doctor, consider a professional driving evaluation, and check whether your state allows a DMV review. Keep the focus on safety and alternatives. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/what-if-my-parent-refuses-to-stop-driving ### What are signs an older parent should stop driving? Getting lost on familiar roads, new dents, near misses, tickets, confusion at intersections, slow reactions, or medical changes affecting vision or memory. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/what-are-signs-an-older-parent-should-stop-driving ### How do I talk to my parent about driving? Start early, privately and respectfully. Focus on safety and specific things you’ve noticed, listen to their concerns, and plan alternatives together. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/how-do-i-talk-to-my-parent-about-driving ### What is a driving evaluation? An assessment by an occupational therapist or driver rehabilitation specialist that checks skills on and off the road and recommends next steps. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/what-is-a-driving-evaluation ### Can a doctor report an unsafe driver? In many states, doctors can (and in some, must) report certain conditions to the DMV, which may review the driver. Rules vary. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/can-a-doctor-report-an-unsafe-driver ### How will my parent get around if they stop driving? Family rides, public transit, paratransit, ride services, and senior transportation programs. Your Area Agency on Aging can help. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/how-will-my-parent-get-around-if-they-stop-driving ### Can I report my parent to the DMV? Many states let family members ask the DMV to review a driver. Check your state’s process. Source page: https://explained.page/talking-about-driving/questions/can-i-report-my-parent-to-the-dmv ## Official sources - [NHTSA: older drivers](https://www.nhtsa.gov/) - [Eldercare Locator: transportation help](https://eldercare.acl.gov/) - [CDC: older adult drivers](https://www.cdc.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] DMV older driver review" - "[your county] senior transportation program" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.