Driver Evaluation
When is it time to hand over keys?
Warning signs
- Multiple recent fender benders.
- Getting lost in familiar areas.
- Family + friends afraid to ride with you.
- Slow reaction to traffic situations.
- Difficulty seeing road signs at night.
- Other drivers honking frequently at you.
Driver Rehabilitation Specialist
- Occupational therapist trained in driving.
- Comprehensive driving evaluation.
- 2–4 hours, costs $200–$500.
- Sometimes covered by Medicare.
- Find at AOTA.org.
- Most accurate professional assessment.
AAA Senior Driver tools
- SeniorDriving.AAA.com — free resources.
- Self-assessment quizzes.
- RoadwiseRX — medication side effects on driving.
- Refresher driving courses.
- Tips for adapting driving habits.
- Free for everyone, not just AAA members.
AARP Smart Driver Course
- Online or in-classroom course.
- 4 hours total.
- Insurance discount in many states.
- Refreshes traffic laws.
- Senior-specific defensive driving.
- $25 for AARP members.
Family conversation tips
- Address concerns early — not after accident.
- Use specific examples without judgment.
- Suggest professional evaluation.
- Discuss alternatives — Uber, paratransit.
- Don't take keys without conversation.
- Frame as safety, not aging.
Adjusting driving habits
- Drive only daytime — no night driving.
- Avoid highways or rush hour.
- Stay in familiar areas.
- Plan routes ahead — no last-minute decisions.
- Don't drive in bad weather.
- Less driving = safer driving.
Plan for the day before it comes
Don't wait until an accident forces the issue. Set up Uber on your phone NOW while you're still driving. Identify ride alternatives. Take the AARP Smart Driver Course this year. The hardest part of giving up driving isn't the act — it's the feeling of lost independence. Having alternatives ready makes the eventual transition much easier.