Can you drive if you have a dementia diagnosis?

How might dementia affect driving? 

A dementia diagnosis doesn’t always mean an immediate stop to driving, but it may prompt more questions about your ability behind the wheel. Dementia can cause symptoms like memory loss, confusion, slower reactions, and difficulty judging distances, all of which are key skills for safe driving. Those with dementia may become disoriented on familiar routes, struggle to make fast decisions, or deviate from lanes.

Sometimes a doctor will instruct them to stop driving immediately, or to stop temporarily until they have more tests. If not, they must still inform the DVLA about their diagnosis. Dementia progresses gradually, so it is crucial to have regular reviews and honest discussions with family to identify when it’s time to hang up your keys.

What transport alternatives do people with dementia have? 

If you need to give up driving due to a dementia diagnosis, thankfully, the UK has many alternative options for people with this condition who cannot drive themselves places, including:

• Public transport such as buses or trains
• Private taxis
• Local community transport services, such as dial-a-ride or accessible taxis
• Volunteer driver schemes
• Discounted or free bus passes through the local council for older or disabled people
• Help from family and friends
• Help from professional home care providers

Those who are still driving with dementia may be safest driving only:

• In daylight and during quiet hours
• On familiar routes
• Short distances
• Without distractions like the radio
• With a passenger to help navigate
• With regular assessments of their driving ability

Why Home Instead?

Professional home care can provide valuable support to older adults with dementia by:

• Monitoring their driving ability and reporting concerns to family
• Helping with safe mobility and finding accessible travel routes
• Arranging alternative transport
• Assisting with routines to support their independence
• Providing reassurance and companionship during travel to reduce anxiety

At Home Instead, our Care Professionals provide person-centred dementia care in all forms. We use a programme that is City & Guilds Assured, and we are rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk. Plus, many of our locations are deemed “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), so you can rest assured that your loved one is safe with them, whether driving or taking public transport.