Driving
Assessment
The person's doctor can write a doctor's order for them to
have a driving assessment done. This is frequently a service
offered through the occupational/rehabilitation departments of major
hospitals. In South Bend and surrounding areas, Memorial
Hospital's Rehab Department performs this service. The phone
number is (800) 388-7049 or (574) 282-4684. They will provide a
very thorough assessment (3-4 hours), which costs $172.00 per
hour. Medicare pays for the balance of this assessment and any
supplemental insurance will pay the remainder, however, families should
verify payment options in advance of getting the test to assure they're
able to pay. The results of the tests are forwarded back to the
referring physician. If the person did not pass the test, it is
incumbent on the physician to take further steps to revoke the license,
i.e., writing a letter to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to request the
license be legally revoked.
Bureau
of Motor Vehicles
- Someone in the family (or Police Dept. or physician)
can write a letter to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at the below
address, requesting the person's license be revoked and stating reasons
why. The letter should include the name of the person, the
license registration number, and some examples of the person's unsafe
driving because of medical reasons and why you feel it is unsafe for
the person to continue operating a car. The letter must
be signed, however, it will remain confidential and the
author will not be revealed to the person with dementia. The
address is:
Indiana Bureau of Motor
Vehicles
State Office Building
Room 405-N, Driver Services
100 N Senate Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-0901 - phone
It is recommended that this letter be sent by registered mail, return
receipt requested.
- BMV will send a letter to the person with dementia,
stating that their ability to drive has been questioned, but it will
not say by whom. There will also be medical forms enclosed that
the person must take to their physician to be completed within 30 days
and returned to the BMV.
- If the papers are not completed within 30 days, the
license will automatically be revoked for failure to submit an
acceptable medical report. If the forms are completed on time, a
doctor on the BMV Medical Advisory Board will be assigned to review the
case and make the final decision whether to suspend the license or
not. The individual will then be notified in writing that their
license has been revoked.
Note: It is
sometimes helpful to get Police or Sheriff involved. In some
cases, law enforcement is willing to speak with the doctor directly, or
they will contact the BMV to revoke the license. In St. Joseph
County, individuals can call Captain Ed Friend at (574) 235-9164.
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