Older drivers can get help from senior centers, other locations

The first place older drivers should look for assistance renewing their driver’s license and safety programs is the Department of Motor Vehicles’ website, https://shorturl.at/chipk, which lists many resources.

The website also mentions the

DMV’S Senior Ombudsman Program, which assists older drivers in individual cases. Here is the number for those in the Inland Empire to call: 833-4930676. This website, https://shorturl.at/sua08, has additional information about older drivers’ safety issues and mature driver safety programs.

The Senior Ombudsman’s main role is to represent the interests of public safety for all Californians, with a focus on addressing older drivers’ concerns. Ombudsmen can help as a go-between to ensure that older drivers are treated fairly, but they can’t represent someone in a DMV hearing or reexamination, according to the DMV.

The DMV posts practices test of the knowledge test online and it’s a good idea to take those. Test questions come from the California Driver’s Handbook, so study it well. Online practice tests can be found at: https://shorturl. at/tdlr0. This same page includes helpful videos and a link to the Driver’s Handbook.

Senior centers are a good place to seek assistance with DMV matters.

In Riverside, employees and volunteers at the Janet Goeske Center, 5257 Sierra St., offer older residents help with the license renewal process. Dee Keoski, the center’s volunteer coordinator and a Riverside resident, noted that the center serves older residents from any city, not just Riverside. Its phone number is 951-3518800. Staffers and volunteers can help guide people as they set up a free email account and

Columnist Amy Bentley