Virginia Dementia Driving Laws: How to Stop a Parent From Driving

Your parent got lost driving to the grocery store they've visited for 30 years. Or they ran a red light and didn't notice. Or there's a new dent in the car every week. You know they shouldn't be driving, but taking the keys from a parent with dementia is one of the hardest conversations a family faces — and in Virginia, there's a formal process to back you up.

Virginia's DMV Medical Review Process

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles operates a Medical Review Services (MRS) division specifically designed to evaluate drivers with medical conditions that may affect driving safety — including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Who can make a referral: Physicians, law enforcement officers, judges, and family members can all report a driver they believe is medically unfit. Family referrals can be submitted confidentially — the DMV does not disclose who initiated the review.

What happens after a referral: The DMV sends the driver a notice requiring them to submit medical documentation. This typically involves two DMV forms:

• Form MED 3 (Medical Review Request) — initiates the review
• Form MED 2 (Customer Medical Report) — completed by the driver's physician documenting the cognitive diagnosis, medications, and the physician's assessment of driving fitness

If the medical documentation confirms a cognitive impairment, the DMV may issue an Order of Suspension or require the driver to pass retesting.

Required Testing for Drivers With Dementia

Virginia does not automatically revoke a license upon a dementia diagnosis. Instead, drivers flagged through medical review must pass both:

1. The DMV knowledge test — the same written test new drivers take
2. A behind-the-wheel driving skills test — administered by a DMV examiner

If the driver passes both, the DMV may issue a restricted license with mandatory monitoring every 6 to 12 months. This means the parent will be retested periodically as the disease progresses.

For a more thorough evaluation, families can arrange an assessment through a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). These specialists conduct comprehensive clinical and on-road evaluations that account for cognitive processing speed, reaction time, visual-spatial awareness, and executive function — all of which deteriorate with dementia. The CDRS report can be submitted to the DMV and is often more persuasive than a standard physician letter.

The "Restriction 9" Limited License

In some cases, the DMV may issue a license with Restriction 9, which limits driving to specific routes, times of day, or distances from home. This can serve as a transitional step — allowing a parent with early-stage dementia to maintain some independence while reducing risk.

However, the practical enforcement of Restriction 9 depends heavily on the family. A parent with moderate dementia may not remember or understand the restrictions.

What If Your Parent Refuses to Stop

If your parent refuses to surrender the keys voluntarily and has not yet been flagged by the DMV:

File a confidential referral with DMV Medical Review. The DMV will contact your parent directly — you don't have to be the one delivering the ultimatum.

Ask their physician to report. Virginia physicians are not legally required to report unsafe drivers (unlike some states), but many will submit a referral when asked by a concerned family member, especially after documenting the progression of dementia.

Physically limit access. Disable the vehicle, park it elsewhere, or lock the keys in a safe. This is not a legal solution, but when safety is at immediate risk, families sometimes need to act faster than the administrative process moves.

Establish legal authority. If your parent lacks the cognitive capacity to make safe decisions and you hold a durable power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship, you have the legal standing to sell or remove the vehicle.

When Driving Stops, Transportation Starts

Losing driving independence is a major blow to your parent's autonomy and mental health. Have a transportation plan ready:

• Virginia's Area Agencies on Aging coordinate volunteer driver programs in many counties
• Medicaid-enrolled seniors may qualify for non-emergency medical transportation through their Cardinal Care managed care plan
• Adult day care programs often include door-to-door van service

The Virginia Dementia and Memory Care Guide covers the complete DMV medical review process, sample physician letters, and a transportation planning worksheet.

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