July 28, 2026
The natural effects of aging, a medical diagnosis, or a recent health event can raise questions about whether it’s still safe for a senior to get behind the wheel. That’s partly why driving evaluations for older adults have become more common. Rather than relying on the senior’s (or their family’s) gut feeling, these programs offer an objective, professional assessment of whether a person can keep driving safely.
What a driving evaluation involves
A comprehensive driving evaluation usually has two elements. The first is a clinical assessment, usually done in an office or clinic. A trained evaluator checks the person’s vision, reaction time, physical range of motion, and strength. They also check cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and judgment.
The second part is a behind-the-wheel assessment. This takes place in a specially equipped vehicle, often with brake controls for both the driver and the evaluator. They use routes designed to test real-world skills such as merging, judging distances, and navigating intersections. The evaluator observes not just whether the person can operate the car, but how they handle the split-second decisions driving requires.
Together, these two pieces give a much fuller picture than either a family’s observation or a standard DMV road test alone. Evaluations like this are typically ordered after a stroke, a fall, a new diagnosis such as Parkinson’s disease or early dementia, or simply as a proactive check-in for an older driver whose family has noticed changes.
Occupational therapists lead many driver evaluation programs
Occupational therapists (OTs) are trained to look at the person’s physical ability and cognitive function, and how the two work together to support daily life. Beyond their primary training, some OTs earn a specialty credential as a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist. This additional training equips them to evaluate medically complex drivers and to recommend next steps that go beyond a simple pass/fail.
Depending on what the evaluation uncovers, an occupational therapist might recommend:
- Adaptive equipment, like hand controls or extra mirrors.
- Retraining to rebuild specific skills.
- A plan for driving only under certain conditions, such as daytime or short local trips.
- When necessary, a transition away from driving altogether.
A recommendation to stop driving is never made lightly. OTs working in this field understand that being unable to drive can affect a person’s sense of independence and connection to their community. Much of their work involves helping families plan for that transition with as much dignity and support as possible. They can help identify transportation alternatives, address the emotional side of the change, and suggest ways to ensure the person doesn’t become isolated at home.
Senior driver safety resources – national and Chicagoland
AARP “We Need to Talk”: A free one-hour online seminar to help family members start the conversation about a senior’s driving abilities.
CarFit: Older adults can find out if their vehicle is a good fit for them physically. Online workshops and in-person events developed by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton: Comprehensive driving evaluations and exams for older adults.
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago: Driving rehabilitation for people of all ages by occupational therapists who are certified driving rehabilitation specialists.
STRIVE for Independence, Lombard: Evaluation and training for seniors.
Veterans Administration Edward Hines, Jr. Hospital, Hines: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and kinesiotherapy.
Talking to a loved one about a driving evaluation
If you’re thinking about having this conversation with a parent or spouse, a few things can help:
- Frame it around safety, not age. Many people in their 80s and 90s pass with no restrictions.
- Ask them to talk to their doctor. A doctor’s input often carries more weight than a family member’s request.
- Focus on what evaluations can offer, not just what they might take away. Many drivers walk away with strategies, equipment, or minor adjustments that let them keep driving longer than they expected.
The point of a driving evaluation is to help someone keep doing what they can do safely, for as long as possible.