What do the AARP, AAA, 911 Driving School, I Drive Safely, and Washington Traffic Safety Education Association (WTSEA) all have in common? They offer driver safety courses, in varying formats, that are approved by the state’s Department of Licensing. The classroom course is eight hours, and takes place over one or two days, depending on the provider; the road course, at 911 Driving School, is staffed by off-duty police officers; behind-the-wheel assessments are provided in 60-90 minute sessions; other courses are offered online. The various programs can cost anywhere from $10-$175.

Gordon Olson, 76, is living proof that the programs can really make a difference for seniors. He retired in February 2004, took the AARP classroom course the following month, and then became a course trainer. He’s now the state coordinator for all of Washington’s driver safety programs. One benefit of the classroom course is the certificate of completion that enables seniors to receive a 5 to 10 percent discount on auto insurance. Olson notes that many seniors sign up primarily for that reason, but others do not take the course at all, on the mistaken assumption that it’s pass/fail. “There is no way under the sun that we can take their license away from them,” says Olson. “It is a refresher course.” Nationwide, the average age of those taking the AARP course is 72; it’s 54 for those taking the online version. Insurance discounts are available for drivers 55 and over, but drivers as young as 50 are welcome to participate. Almost 15,000 Washington drivers took the course last year.

Day One opens with a pre-course quiz, in which participants are asked to write down how the roads have changed, how the cars have changed, and how they have changed since they first started driving. Then the conversation turns to issues that directly affect driving, such as vision, hearing, reaction time, physical fitness, medications, and alcohol. The rest of Day One and most of Day Two are devoted to covering actual car and road situations. Olson believes the course is a real value for the money, and not just because of the insurance discount. “Most of them come in saying, ‘I’m going to endure this for the insurance.’ That’s why they’re there. But they go out saying, ‘I learned something.’” 

The AAA Driver Improvement Program is offered through American Driving Services, which operates in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Instructor Danny Lillenes provides behind-the-wheel road evaluations, which last 60-90 minutes. The evaluations are often requested by physicians and occupational therapists who want to make sure their patients are road-worthy. During the assessment, Lilliness pays attention not only to navigation ability and recognition of right-of-ways, but to particular issues, such as memory, that can affect driving skills. (For example, in some cases, a driver may have kinetic memory with how to operate the car, but will forget his or her destination.) Lilliness’s general advice to drivers is to build good habits early. “Good technique will always serve you well,” he says. AAA has other senior driving resources available on its website.

Olson recommends that seniors also take part in CarFit, a cost-free, 20-minute session which determines whether the driver is physically comfortable in his or her vehicle. Church parking lots and community center parking lots are good places to hold Carfit sessions. Some instructors will schedule a session for Day Two of the classroom course. You’ll find there are remedies for some of the most basic comfort issues. Do you have a clear line of sight at least three inches above the steering wheel, or is an adjustment needed? Do you fit comfortably and safely in your seat, or could you use a tapered seat cushion? Do you need pedal extenders installed so that your feet can reach the pedals without difficulty? The Carfit checklist covers 12 main items, and anything that’s not a good fit is flagged for attention. At that point, you should consult with an occupational therapist for the best ways to make your car comfortable. Olson says, “If you’re a comfortable driver, you’re going to be a safe driver. If you’re uncomfortable, you’re going to be concerned about the discomfort, and it takes away from the driving.”

Author: Michele Horwitz

Driver’s license renewal, undertaken every five years in Washington State, is often a routine endeavor. And online renewal is now available, making the process even easier. However, online renewal is not approved for drivers seeking commercial licenses, and is only available every other renewal for those 65 years of age and under. This means that seniors will always be renewing in person at their local Department of Licensing (DOL) office. If you have any medical, mental or vision issues (such as fast-moving cataracts or dementia) you may require a certificate from your physician, recommending testing more frequently than five years.

Like everyone, regardless of age, you’ll be required to take a vision test at the DOL. Patricia Hardy, technical operations consultant and trainer for Everett Licensing, explains the vision testing as follows: The Washington State standard is 20/40 vision—which means that the test subject can see at twenty feet what someone with 20/20 vision can see at forty feet. Those with 20/70 vision will still pass, but only be allowed to drive during daylight hours, and be required to carry a license with that restriction placed on it. 20/100 is the upward allowable limit for driving. All vision results are determined with or without your use of corrective lenses.

There are no automatic restrictions for the hearing impaired, and the DOL does not conduct hearing tests. However, certain visual enhancements—such as extra outside mirrors—may be necessary for some drivers.

These are examples of designations listed on licenses:

“C” – Corrective Lenses
“Z” – Daylight Driving Only
“L” – Medical Certificate Cycle

You should be forthcoming about any medical history of seizures or blackouts, particularly recent ones. And your physician may have given you a medical certificate to produce for the DOL staff. If the staff concludes that there is a medical, mental or vision problem, you will be selected for re-examination. This will include an actual driving test (a road test), and possibly a knowledge test (a written test). The driving test will assess your familiarity with the car: the accelerator, brake, turn signals, wipers, lights, horn, etc. Staff will then test your ability at things like parallel parking, backing-up, and your interactions while in traffic. You’ll have three separate opportunities to pass. If you don’t pass after the third attempt, your driving privileges will be cancelled. But even then, there is an appeals process available to you, to be conducted over the phone by someone in the DOL hearings division.

A good way to improve your chances of passing re-examination is to take one of the many safe driving courses offered in Washington, through organizations such as AAA, AARP, 911 Driving School, Washington Traffic Safety Education Association, and I Drive Safely. All the courses are approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Completion of the eight-hour classroom course may even earn you a reduction in your insurance rates. (Safe driving courses will be covered in-depth, in an upcoming article.) If you want a refresher road driving course, like the ones we all took before getting our first licenses, check either a print or online phone book for listings of driving schools in your area. Anything you can do to enhance your skills will increase your likelihood of passing the exam.

Ms. Hardy points out that the DOL can also issue regular Washington State IDs. Many seniors think that the only legitimate ID is a driver’s license, so some will go to renew even when it’s time to stop driving. The state ID costs $20, rather than $25 for the driver’s license.

Author: Michele Horwitz