A driving evaluation????

[TJean]

I need advice please
I want to have a very thorough driving evaluation done. However, everyone around me does't think it's a good idea only cuz I "could be" told not to drive at all & lose the little freedom I have driving.

Back in 2005 the dr told me not to drive, I had a Bad flare. It took 2 years for me to be ok'd by my MS dr & eye dr because I had a very short & brief driving test done. I only wanted to drive my son to school. I PASSED!!!

Now, I want to drive to next town with more traffic. Some days I know I am too fatigued & don't. Some days I feel as thou I can & do, causing great concern to those around me. But I do fine!

Should I continue with this test??????

[Cat Mom]

It's the law here that if a doc deems you unfit to drive, the Ministry of Transportation is advised. I wasn't driving anyway but due to blindness in left eye in 2005 my license was 'suspended" (just when child #1 of 6 started learning to drive... my poor husband got this job!).

I never regained sight in that eye and still don't drive but to be perfectly honest, if I still had a license, I may have taken the convenient route and driven a few places. Knowing I dont have one, is the only thing that stops me. I give you credit for even asking for a test! If you feel like you need one, by all means go have one done. It sounds like you really care. Please let us know.
Jen

[dalechilders51]

TJean when I renewed my lisense this last time and showed up in a wheel chair I had to take a driving test. I passed but didn't feel comfortable or safe so I have since quit driving. If you feel you need an evaluation by all means get one It's being really responsible. Take care Dale

[pinkcane]

No longer driving...

By choice.
Still have a dl, however, my depth perception,reflex response time, I feel that I would not be 100%. Not good enough, I could hurt/ kill someone or myself by taking the chance.
I am fortunate to have family & friends that tend to all my errands & needs even though I live alone , I don't ever feel alone

[finee9]

I just renewed my license and was told that since MS is a progressive disease I will have to come in for driving test more frequently. Plus I have a stack of paper for my Dr. to complete. My license renews in 8 years, I don't know if they'll send me a notice or what, well see.

[MSer102]

There are occupational therapists who specialize in driving rehabilitation. You should be able to have an OT do a driving evaluation. Some of them require a doctor's referral. You can find some of them by googling "driver rehabilitation New Hampshire" or ask if your doctor's office can recommend an OT who can guide you to one who works with driving skills.

I think you can have a private evaluation done without the DMV finding out. But you should probably check first to see if the rehab specialist has to report to the DMV simply if you have an evaluation and don't pass. If you aren't going to apply for a special kind of drivers license I don't know that they would care if you did or didn't pass a private evaluation.

If you haven't had your license suspended or revoked before because of medical reasons then the DMV won't even know if your having trouble driving. Lord knows how many bad drivers are zooming around with perfectly valid drivers licenses!

The DMV doesn't care if anybody takes private driving lessons from a driving school and passes or fails there so I'm not sure if its different if the driving trainer is an OT. For a regular license they only care if you can pass the DMV test. At least that's how it is in my state. But just to be sure I think you should check with your state first.

[aitch10]

Take the test. And I can't believe those close to you are opposed to you seeing if you're still safe to drive.

[mfog023]

For safety reasons, I would have a drivers evaluation done by a specialist. I truly understand about the potential of having losing you DL, having not been able to drive for a few weeks after an accident hurt my hand. I worked hard to get my DL and hate the loss of that freedom being fiercely independent. After a bad flare years ago, I was left with leg weakness and a solid ability to know where my legs are in space (which was the worst problem). To help I was fitted with AFO's for walking but my legs were still unreliable for driving with my feet. I worked with an OT and was okayed for hand controls which I still use safely. If vision is your issue, I would check with a low vision specialist to see what she or he could recommend. My friend used one and the specialist really helped her.

Just make a good choice for your sake and the sake of the public whom you share the road.