Driver Safety Training
AARP
The AARP Driver Safety Program offers local classes for drivers age 50 and over. The course is designed to help older adults keep their license by providing customized training on age-related physical changes that can impair driving ability and tools for adjusting your driving so you can stay safe. Courses are offered year-round at locations throughout San Mateo County. AARP also offers a renewal course for previous graduates.
For information on AARP Driver Safety courses in your area, go to AARP.org/drive or call 877-846-3299.
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
The California Highway Patrol offers an Older Driver Traffic Safety seminar in conjunction with the San Mateo County Commission on Aging and San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum. The free class is three hours long and is designed to help keep older drivers on the road longer and refresh their driving skills.
You can sign up for an upcoming seminar by calling the local CHP office at (650) 369-6261.
Self Assessments
If you are concerned about your ability to safely drive a vehicle, information developed by various aging and traffic safety groups may help you determine whether you need to have a more formal evaluation of your driving abilities.
Roadwise Review—AAA (online tool)
The AAA Roadwise Review is an interactive online tool that helps you identify potential aging-related driving issues and steps to reduce risk in the privacy of your own home. To learn more visit seniordriving.aaa.com.
Driving Decisions Workbook
The University of Michigan developed a web-based workbook to help older drivers evaluate their ability to drive safely. The workbook is available online here.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Brochures
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed a series of online publications that address older adults’ ability to drive safely. These include “Safe Driving for Older Adults,” “Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully” and materials dealing specifically with driving after a stroke or with various conditions, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, or seizures. Copies can be ordered by calling the NHTSA at 888-327-4236.
Adjusting Your Vehicle
Proper adjustment of seats, mirrors, headrests and the steering wheel can help keep you driving safety. A variety of simple devices can be added to help compensate for physical changes or simply to make the vehicle fit you more comfortably and safely. The American Society on Aging, the American Automobile Association and AARP have developed a program called CarFit: Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Perfect Fit. For more information go to www.car-fit.org.
Talking to Family and Friends
The Hartford insurance company has developed a series of publications about initiating conversations with older drivers, exercise for drivers, vehicle technology and older drivers, dementia and driving, and other topics. These publications can be viewed online, downloaded, or ordered at www.thehartford.com/resources/mature-market-excellence.
Disabled Parking Placards
You can get a Disabled Person placard or license plates if you have
impaired mobility and your condition is certified by a licensed
physician, surgeon, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner,
or certified nurse-midwife.
The placard and plates entitle you to park your vehicle in parking
spaces designated for persons with disabilities, including spaces at
a blue or green curb, at metered on-street parking spaces at no charge,
and in areas that require residential or merchant permits. You do not
have to own or drive the vehicle to use the placard.
1-800-777-0133 TTY 1-800-368-4327 or go to their website.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Licensing
The Department of Motor Vehicles does not take away your driver’s license when you
reach a certain age. Your mental and/or physical condition and your ability to
follow traffic laws and rules regardless of age determine whether your license
is renewed, restricted, suspended or revoked. All customers age 70 or older must
renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV office. Restrictions may be imposed
relating to declining physical condition.
The number one restriction for senior drivers is vision-related and usually requires
the driverto wear glasses or corrective contact lenses. Some other common restrictions
are no freeway driving, no nighttime driving, no rush hour driving, or driving only with
proper support to ensure a proper driving position.
1-800-777-0133 TTY 1-800-368-4327 or go to their website
