I knew this would be coming up - and wondering how all you deal with this with your docs... I just got the renewal for my drivers license - only need to take finger print, picture, and eye test - I have both a car and motorcycle license.., I havent driven in years since I got PN - I had to sell my little sportscar when I got sick even though when in the seat I could drive it (even shift) without feeling my feet (I couldnt get my wheelchair in and out of it) - I think the bucket seats gave me balance.. I bought an old handicapped van instead that has a scooter lift but it gives me vertigo to drive it so its garaged.,. I know if I ever got pulled over I could not stand up or arms out etc. - I'd fall right over... I've never had a loss of consicousness until after I hit the ground and it was due to the hitting my head when I fell - just lots of falls from the PN - and my reflexes seem ok (not reflexes in my ankles etc but as far as reacting to stiumuli)... my docs have been back and forth on this issue of driving...

I see my doc Tues and have to renew this by next month - I need to report to the state any change in health status that could affect my ability to drive - so - wondered how all of you handle this? I cannot walk into the DMV without assistance (I wouldnt lie anyway about my health as any potential liabity down the line would be awful if something happened) - I obviously no longer have the balance to ride a motorcycle - but with the right car hope to be able to drive again - at least for short distances...

Anyone had to deal with this? Do you know if I would have to start from sratch with a driving test etc. with doctors note stating my health has changed or restrictions? And, if one does get pulled over - is there something special on a license that tells the police that I'm disabled and make ammends there?

Appreciate any info - just got the notice and the date is coming up fast! Thanks!

My GP advised me not to carry anything over 3k due to very bad back. I can hardly hold and push a full grocery trolley anymore due to my spine being in bad shape.

Sometimes I can't walk very far either. I have often thought of having a medical exam to see if I'd qualify for a disbled parking permit.

Then I have seen people with permits get out of their cars. Some are very very old, and fragile with no mobility, and they drive.

Some get out of their vehicles and straight into their wheelchairs.

I then think that I am not really disabled and don't need a permit. I just can't bear much weight and have a hard time grocery shopping. But there have been tmes when my back goes into spasm which is often, where I can hardly walk me self and I drive around in pain.

I reckon as long as I can properly control my vehicle I don't need to report nothing to nobody.

Just 3 days ago I was almost run down crossing the street by a man who looked like he was 99 in a vehicle with a disabled permit. I was crossing on a pedestrian crossing right in front of him but he did not slow down nor did he see me??

Yet he drives!!

how did your doctors get involved in your drivers license renewal? You can drive your car with hand controls and they are a few hundred dollars. If you can drive why would you report that your ability to drive is affected?

If you get pulled over and they tell you to get out of the car and want to do a filed sobriety test, tell them that you have nerve damage and cannot balance well. There are alternative tests that they do administer such as the alphabet backwards. Keep a cane or something in your car with you. If you have any id cards from state park pass, or federal park pass, or disabled public transportation pass keep it with you to show if you have to.

Many people in wheel chairs drive. you may just need to get hand controls if you feel you cant drive with using your feet.

Hey Joe,

Doctors are required to report to the DMV certain conditions that require suspending a DL or taking it away - such as loss of consciousness or loss of function.. which they have not done but this has not come up until now.... however, when I check the box on the DMV renewal form that I've had a change in my health since my last renewal (which is rather obvious since I use wheelchair out and about and will stagger with a walker spending any time in the DMV to get this done) - I'm assuming they will want an MD statement. (and, on my disability reviews that are not related to the govenment - some docs have stated no driving, and my current docs know I am not driving)..... I couldnt afford the lifts etc for the chair for my sportscar, hand controls werent the issue.. the van doesnt give me back neck support so I get dizzy (its very old).... so for now its out..

Aussie - I do have a handicapped sticker - have for years - so that people driving me around can park close to door when we do go out... yes, there are many many people on the road that have no right to be there though! Very scary - I think the worst offenders here though have a cell phone in one hand, coffee in the other, and are going about 30mph over the speed limit at all times! To assume as a pedestrian in LA that you have right of way will very possibly leave you a flattened puddle on the road.... (sad but true) Just in my town this week they put up cameras at lights where people keep getting hit so they can try to capture the culprits on film.....

I still drive every day, but none of my family will ride with me. When I am with my wife, she does all the driving but I have to check out the groceries and whatever. She say that she does all the driving and I should do more. I volunteer to do the driving, but I get no answer.

I had to go thru a doctor's review of sorts to get a handicapper parking tag. They report to the DMV in that how far you can walk and HOW you are impaired. Even if you don't drive, and need a 'capper sticker, your medical condition is reported to the STATE.
I would bet that if you state to your doc that you can't drive far, and only for emergencies that he'd sign off on it with those qualifications. As for going into the DMV? Can you make it in, however wobbly on a walker or w/two canes? They don't care how you walk [DMV that is] just how you mite be able to drive! And we all know that many folks drive while chewing gum and on the cell phone while slurping coffee all at once....usually at speeds 20 mph over the posted limits.
Joe, you mentioned hand controls....Few hundred dollars? Where, on e-bay? I've tried searches for such appliances and have found a minimum price of about 3-5K depending on the car! And then getting installation usually means one has to get the vehicle to whereever they [the installers] are located-meaning warranties and maintenance of this safety equipment is iffy IMHO. I do know one neuro I'd HAD suggested hand controls to me, but I asked him how would that be better, since I can't feel a pen long enough to hold the pen long enough to write my name on your check?
My own PN is severe, I have found myself getting out of the drivers' seat using my cane as a propeller to help me UP and out. A few times I found myself lucky enough to have enough feeling to realize that the cane was in the middle of my own instep as I was trying to get up. Amazing that I didn't break foot bones! Goodness knows they break if I look at them sideways. I now use different tactics getting out of cars.
Kmeb? I suppose that the best thing to do is be honest about the 'ability' to drive, and the limits you place on yourself. Then go from there? I do know in my state, I've gotten a 'capper' driving card along with the sticker. I know it states that I've MAJOR distance walking issues, but not the extent I suspect you have them. And, BTW the only time I ever got pulled over I never got out of the car? But when I went to court, and this hobbly cane leaning person wobbled down to the 'court podium', I got almost all charges dropped, but for the court fees. I do believe that traffic cop gulped BIG time when he saw me tottering!
OK Anyone out there able to find sources for 'lifts', hand controls and all other useful apparatus? I sure would like to get over the sticker-shock before I need it! You know?
Hugs to all! We all can use them now and then - j

i don't drive my uncle is able to use hand controls,but my hands are
far to bad..bob has to use a walker by can drive,so like joe i would
use cane or walker. This is a hospital town the police are use to all.
he uses one of those groicery carts the store provides,they will not let
you take them out,but will let one of the people that work there go
out with you and load the van.
our frezzers are down in the garage so I put most thngs on my lap
in the wheelchair..I get all that put away and bob get's it put away
upstairs..
aussi our neighbor is in his 90's he went out to get the mail,we have
a bike lane on a busy street,he was getting his mail and 1 of the college
kids hit him ,almost all of her car was in the bike lane,I got her no.
and she almost got me. He was fine after a few days what was scary
she thought she got away,4th ticket in 3 years i'm sure her parents
got her out of it,I can't drive i won't. he has taken me to the bank
he does a fine job.you can really tell when the college kids go home..
if anybody needs a handicap parking place they should get one.

bob and i if we need to we use the indepentant van like mel's assit
a ride.. with the cost of gas sometimes the cabs are not so bad.
i do wish,we use to,have a grocery store that dilivered..hugs to all sue

im talking about manual ones not electric such as these

http://www.quickconnectionhandcontrols.com/order.htm

http://www.wheelability.com/

its a lot easier here to get a handicapped placard, the town gives them out not the state. A doctor has to fill out a short part of the one page form.

Many thanks Joe, we all need all the help we can get.

I just wish we all had better answers for Kmeb!

I wonder if folks in other forums mite know more? Which ones tho? - j

I would imagine folks with paraplegia or perhaps with CMT may have ideas. CMT is a hereditary PN and they seem pretty organized. PNers can probably learn a lot from some of these other groups, as they are quite knowledgeable about assistive devices.

I can still drive, short distances and in known territory. Too much of me gets numb after sitting for me to rely on driving very far, not to mention sensory integration issues pop up. I try to keep my driving, not too challenging, or not to far from home. I know my limits.