Driver Safety — California Permit Test Rules (Section 12)

Self-assessment

Sooner or later, every driver will need to judge their own driving skills and abilities.
If you are worried about your driving, you can have a trusted person with a valid driver's license ride in the passenger seat and watch how you drive.
The person observing your driving should point out any dangerous habits and offer ideas for getting better, and you should listen and use that feedback.
Taking professional driving lessons or classes is another option for drivers concerned about their skills.

Under the Vehicle Code, DMV may investigate and retest any driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
A reexamination can be based on a physical or mental condition or a poor driving record, but never on a driver's age alone.

People who have cognitive conditions like dementia or seizure disorder may lose the ability to drive safely.
When DMV receives a referral or diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment for a driver, the Driver Safety team will set up a reexamination.

During a reexamination, DMV may ask you or your doctor for medical information.
DMV may hold a reexamination either in person or by telephone.
DMV may require a driver being reexamined to take a knowledge test, vision test, or driving test, or more than one of these.
After a reexamination, DMV may give a driver a limited term driver's license.
DMV may suspend or revoke a person's driving privilege right away if their physical or mental condition poses an immediate danger to public safety.
DMV may also decide to take no action at all against a driver's driving privilege after a reexamination.

If you do not contact DMV within five working days after getting a priority reexamination notice, your driving privilege will be suspended automatically.
If a law enforcement officer gives you a Notice of Priority Reexamination of Driver with the top box checked, you should read the form carefully.
After receiving a Notice of Priority Reexamination of Driver with the top box checked, you have five working days to contact DMV and start the process.

DMV puts restrictions on a driver's license to make sure the person drives only within their abilities.
License restrictions can be imposed by DMV or can be required by law.
A restriction may require a driver to have special mechanical devices, such as hand controls, installed on their vehicle.
A restriction may limit when and where a person can drive, for example banning night driving or freeway driving.
A restriction may require the driver to wear eyeglasses or corrective contact lenses.
A restriction may require extra equipment on the vehicle, such as outside mirrors.
There are no special license restrictions just for seniors; all restrictions depend on a driver's conditions, not their age.
Any restrictions on your driving privilege will be reasonable and needed for your safety and the safety of other people.
Any restriction put on your driver's license is based on what the examiner finds and recommends.

A physician, law enforcement officer, or family member can refer a driver with a physical or mental condition to DMV by turning in a completed Request for Driver Reexamination (DS 699) form.

Restated from the California Driver's Handbook, Section 12. Read the official text.