DMV License Renewal

The DMV 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 are the factors that will determine whether your license is renewed, restricted, suspended, or revoked. All customers aged 70 or older are required to renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV office. For more information, call 800-777-0133 (TTY 800-368-4327).

DMV's Mature Driver Improvement Program

If you are interested in taking additional driving lessons to keep your skills sharp, consider DMV’s Mature Driver Improvement Program. These courses are designed for drivers age 55+ and provide instructions on defensive driving, effects that medication, fatigue, alcohol, visual, or auditory limitations have on a person’s driving ability, motor vehicle laws, and updates on rules of the road. Successful completion of an approved course can qualify for reduced insurance premiums.

DMV License Renewal Assistance

The Veterans Memorial Senior Center (VMSC) provides assistance to help seniors navigate the DMV’s eLearning course for license renewal. You must have a SMART phone and transportation to the VMSC (1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City) for their team to help you complete the process. For more information, call to schedule an appointment at 650-780-7270.

Disabled Person Parking Placard & Plates

You can obtain a disabled person placard or license plates if you have impaired mobility and provide certification of your condition from a licensed physician, surgeon, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife. The placard and plates entitle you to park your vehicle at no charge at designated spaces for persons with disabilities, including spaces at a blue or green curb, at metered on-street parking spaces, and in areas that require residential or merchant permits. You do not have to own or drive the vehicle to use the placard.

AARP Smart Driver™ Course

The AARP Smart Driver Course is one of many programs offered by AARP Driver Safety. It’s the nation’s largest classroom and online driver safety course and it’s designed especially for drivers aged 50 and older. Online courses are available, or find a location for in-person classes, or check with your local senior center. For more information on AARP Driver Safety courses, call 800-350-7025 or visit AARP Driver Safety.

AARP Smart DriverTek

90-minute workshop to learn about the latest high-tech safety features in your current car, or what technology to look for when shopping for a new car. For more information, visit

CHP: Age Well Drive Smart Seminars

The California Highway Patrol offers an in-person Age Well Drive Smart seminar in conjunction with the San Mateo County Commission on Aging. The free class is three hours long and is designed to help keep older drivers on the road longer and refresh their driving skills. Funding for Age Well Drive Smart is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. For more information, contact Public Information Officer Sophie Lu at 650-207-0315 or email Sophie.lu@chp.ca.gov.

AAA: Roadwise Driver

AAA’s Roadwise Driver is an online course designed to help you be a better and safer driver, refine your driving skills and maintain your independence. You’ll learn about new vehicle technology and driving tips for today’s drivers. Call 1-877-476-1254 or visit AAA Roadwise.

The course covers topics such as:

• Extending Your Safe Driving Career
• Distractions, Drowsiness, Aggressive Driving & Road Rage
• Managing Visibility, Time & Space
• Alcohol & Medications
• Comfort & Safety Tips

CarFit Program

CarFit was created in 2006 in collaboration with AAA (American Automobile Association), AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). It is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them. The program also provides information and materials on community- specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers and/or increase their mobility in the community. For more information, go to www.car-fit.org to register for virtual or on-demand workshops.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Brochures

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed a series of online publications and videos that address older adults’ ability to drive safely. These resources are available to be viewed online. Call 888-327-4237 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for more information.

Examples:

• How to understand and influence older drivers.
• How to adapt a motor vehicle to accommodate the unique needs of an older driver.
• How medical conditions can impact your ability to drive safely.
• Driving Safely while aging gracefully, and more.

Safe Driving for a Lifetime Publications

The Hartford Insurance company offers a series of publications and helpful driving safety guidebooks. These publications can be viewed online, downloaded, or ordered.

Examples:

• Initiating productive and caring conversations with older drivers.
• Vehicle safety technology.
• Dementia and driving, and more.