Driving after a dementia diagnosis

Driving involves complex skills such as attention, memory and quick reflexes. These are weakened by dementia and may make it unsafe for someone to keep driving. 

In New Brunswick, the law requires medical professionals to report drivers who might be unsafe because of certain conditions.

Individuals with moderate to severe dementia are advised to stop driving but many people experiencing early stages of dementia may still be able to hold a license. 

Some signs to look for include: 

• medications that might affect the ability to drive due to drowsiness, dizziness or other side effects
• near accidents or traffic violations
• difficulty merging or changing lanes
• getting lost frequently even in familiar areas
• driving too slowly
• being honked at by others regularly
• confusing breaks, pedals and clutch

Health-care professionals are mandated to report concerns to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Family members and police officers are also able to report if the person living with dementia is in an accident or has a traffic violation. 

To make a written complaint about a person’s driving you will need:

• details about your concerns and the dates of these incidents or observations
• name, date of birth and address of the driver
• your name, date of birth and address
• must be signed and dated

The Department of Justice and Public Safety can suspend their license until the decision is made regarding their abilities. The process may involve a road test or other exams for the reported individual.

• Start the conversation early so that the person living with dementia has time to accept the decision to stop driving.
• Practise empathy and acknowledge the importance of independence and the difficulty of making the decision. 
• Provide evidence of issues you have noticed with their driving performance to help validate the decision. 
• Include assessments to support the decision, like this guide from the Alzheimer’s Society (PDF 81 KB).
• Discuss it with their primary health care provider so they can initiate the conversation at the next appointment.
• They may try to highlight their driving history. Acknowledge their accomplishments but redirect their focus to the present and the need to stop driving now. 
• Suggest a trial period where they can test public transport or arrangements with family or friends to maintain independence. Many urban centers offer senior bus passes for a discounted rate. 
• Look into other services for transportation, NB 211 is a great resource for finding transportation in your area.
• Research delivery options in your area for groceries, prescriptions, and other necessities. 
• Use positive language that reinforces the desire to see them safe and happy. Tell them that they can still enjoy their freedom, but you want them to get there safely. 

This discussion will be difficult no matter how it is brought up, or by whom. It is best to go into the conversation with compassion and understanding to help them prepare for the day they retire from driving.

• Driving with dementia
• Strategies from others who stopped driving
• Provincial resources