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The general consensus here is NO! My dad survived a strike 5 yrs ago and is disabled from it. He also thinks he can drive again but I know he can’t. He is showing signs of dementia. He has hallucinations and sees people and places that are not there.
In spite of all this, he thinks he can drive again. He keeps saying that when he gets stronger, he can drive.
I don’t know what stage your stepfather’s dementia is in but don’t let him drive!!!!! It is totally and completely unsafe!!!
Remember what happened in Santa Monica at The farmers market in 2003???
An 86 yr old man plowed through marketplace. He killed 10 people and injured 70 others!!!! It really is beyond sad and tragic.
PLEASE!!! No driving with dementia 😞
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Reply to Monicaj0421
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My mother with mild dementia would not stop driving, even after her license was taken away. It wasn't long after that she drove right into the back of a parked pickup truck. Her car was totaled, and she went to the hospital with broken ribs, and from there to a nursing home for the rest of her life. Every time I think of this I get chills thinking how fortunate it was that she didn't injure or kill someone.

In retrospect, I should have disabled or removed the car and not believed what she was telling me about not driving.
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Reply to LakeErie
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Do you think it's okay for anyone to be driving when they have dementia?

Hint, hint. It's not.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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I think there’re some presumptive answers here. How far has he digressed? My wife started her decline around 2012 by repeating herself and getting lost occasionally. I think we all do that. She digressed slowly but predictably until 2018 when we came to agreement with her neurologist that she required more aggressive supervision, and agreed that she shouldn’t drive any more. She’s now in late stages and wouldn’t even know how to start the car but let’s not stop their life as soon as we notice a problem.
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Reply to Harrylcnm
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JustAnon Nov 20, 2025
My mom was not diagnosed with dementia when she was found driving and very confused. Changes in ability are not always slow. Sometimes it's fast. People with dementia should not ever drive.
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Your stepdad should not drive with dementia. Disable the car and make other transportation arrangements.
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Reply to Patathome01
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No.
Dementia means brain cells have died and others dying. Different parts of the brain affect cognition.

If he is driving, he is putting himself and everyone else in potential danger or worst, killing someone.

His license should be revoked. Contact DMV about this immediately.
Do not allow him to put himself or others in danger.

Gena / Touch Matters
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Reply to TouchMatters
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Not recommending driving with dementia is a first step. Decision making with directions and orientation can be difficult with some of the cognitive effects with dementia. I would have a discussion with them about there driving habits or schedule a driving assessment with a trained professional if you have further questions. You can also look into senior transportation services or carpool services in your area.
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Reply to Senior8
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TouchMatters Nov 20, 2025
You cannot have 'a discussion' with a person with dementia. You do not leave decision-making [of situation as important as possibly injuring or killing themselves or others to] to a person who's brain no longer functions normally.

You don't: "not recommend driving" - you take the necessary steps to insure it doesn't happen. This isn't about driving habits as you say.

It is about the brain cells dying and the brain not functioning. You cannot have a 'logical' discussion with a person whose brain no longer functions.

You do not schedule a 'driving assessment' with a trained professional (who exactly is that - as any trained professional certainly won't put themselves in the position of a person with dementia in the driver's seat). I am perplexed by your response / suggestions here and wonder where you are getting your information from as it appears you do not understand what dementia is - or does to the brain.

I am very concerned with you / a person giving out advice or suggestions as this on this site. It could lead to a person or several people being killed.

Gena / Touch Matters
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No, he should not be driving. You can contact the DMV and have him tested to see if he needs to have his license taken away. What does his doctor say about his progression? Does he live alone? Who is his POA or guardian?
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Reply to JustAnon
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TouchMatters Nov 20, 2025
You provide documentation from his medical provider to DMV. It ISN'T up to the DMV to make a medical assessment/determination - whether or not a person has dementia.

He has it, according to the person who asked the question.

Whether or not or how it progressed / progressives isn't the point.
He also has dementia. This means NO DRIVING.
he brain doesn't have the capacity any longer to use logic or understand what 'safety' means, let alone perhaps understand that s/he could hit / kill someone. He won't understand or know this. He'll think he can drive.
You never ever argue or try to use logic with a person inflicted with dementia. Doing so will only upset them. You keep them as calm as possible and insure that he can't use the car. This means:
- taking away the keys
- disconnecting the battery
- alerting the police if necessary that he might be driving
- not have the car available

And, yes. You introduce him to 'friends' who will give him a ride. You set up what is necessary (and as possible) so he can visit his wife or get out as needed).

The DMV is not medically licensed to make these decisions.
It is a medical decision / diagnosis. Gena
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What possible control do you think you have over your stepdad? Are you his POA? Has he acted as your father throughout your life, and you as his daughter.

If stepdad has other children from a prior marriage, or other family, and if you two are not close, then I would report this to them. Feel free to have APS look into this as well.

What YOU can do depends upon how much power you have to act for your stepfather. As I said, if you are his MPOA and his POA, then stepfather would, I assume, be in placement, as is your mom.

I am afraid we are left to ASSUME here, as you give us no information. If we are wrong in our assumptions do fill us in so we can make more intelligent suggestions as to your way forward in this.

Wishing you the best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Om my goodness, 100% no absolutely not
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Reply to southernwave
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Good Lord, NO!
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Reply to LoopyLoo
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NO!
He should not be driving anywhere!
Help him to find a ride. Offer to drive him, find a friend or volunteer to drive him, or help him use Lyft or Uber.

Disable his vehicle so he can not use it. It is not safe for anyone with dementia to be driving!
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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No, he should not be endangering the other drivers on the road. Your local government may have a shuttle service for seniors. If not, or in addition, call the nearest taxi company and see if you can hire a driver to take him back and forth every day at specific times and ensure that he gets into the facility and then back into his home. (I know of a taxi company that did this for a senior to go to and from church every week.)
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Reply to MG8522
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No, but will he give it up? No one with dementia should be sent in a taxi by themselves, either.

Does his county offer some sort of senior ride service? He may not be able to go every day. That's just reality.

Maybe he is a candidate for IL or AL in the same facility?
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Reply to Geaton777
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I would not recommend him driving to and from the hospital. Maybe you can find alternative transportation services.
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Reply to Senior8
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Absolutely not. Arrange a ride for him.
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Reply to Fawnby
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No one with dementia should be driving.
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Reply to Hrmgrandcna
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