My 79 year old mother has been getting lost while driving, 3 times within the last 3 months. She has also called the police reporting that her car had been stolen only to find it in her carport. We have tried to get her to stop driving but will not give up her keys, saying she knows her area. The police only suggest us to contact the DMV for a retest. Any idea's on how to get mom's keys?
once she has been told you can no longer drive, then you disable the car.
If there are any police reports get copies. Contact her doctor or whoever diagnosed her with dementia and let them know what has happened. Tell them they need to contact the DMV with a doctor's letter stating that she either needs to retest or that her license should be taken away do to her medical condition. If she has to retest, trust me she will not pass. You need to find a way to get the keys away from her or disable the car. There are many ways to disable the car just Google it or YouTube it. Once the car is disabled you can tell her that there is no money to fix the car right now. In the meantime the DMV will be working on paperwork to either suspend her license or take it away. Be sure to follow up with this! It might take a month or two.
Big help thank you, Kris
Next, you can anonymously report her online at the DMV website. They will write her a letter having her come in for a retest. No one should take her to this test. Her license will expire. The end.
It is no one else's responsibility to stop her from driving except you, since you are her daughter and KNOW she is no longer competent. My uncle went through a red light and was broadsided, killing his own wife and dog and injuring the other victims. Please act today to stop her. She will be angry, but the moral burden is unfortunately on you. Thanks for doing this, I know it's hard.