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For many people one immediate effect of having a seizure is that they have to stop driving. This is true for all types of seizures.

This pages explains the current driving regulations and other travel alternatives for people with epilepsy. Although you must stop driving if you have had a seizure, you can apply to get your licence back after 12 months seizure-free (either with or without medication).

If you have epilepsy and you do not drive, there may be help available towards travel costs.

What are the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regulations?

The DVLA is the UK organisation that licenses cars and drivers for driving on public roads. More details on DVLA licences are given below.

Learning to drive

If you have epilepsy and want to learn to drive, you will need to have been seizure-free for one year. Even if you have been seizure-free for this time, it is important to tell the DVLA about your epilepsy. A standard application form needs to be filled in. The DVLA will then send you another form requesting information about your epilepsy. The DVLA might contact your doctor as part of this process.

The regulations are different if you have nocturnal seizures only (see below).

If you have a seizure

If you hold a driving licence, and have a seizure, the DVLA regulations say that you must stop driving. You are responsible for telling the DVLA and returning your driving licence. If you have no further seizures for one year you can apply to the DVLA for a new licence.

These regulations cover all epileptic seizures, including auras/warnings, seizures where you are conscious, myoclonic jerks, and other seizures where you lose consciousness.

These regulations apply after just one seizure and even if you have not been diagnosed with epilepsy.

Nocturnal seizures

If you have a seizure while you are asleep (a nocturnal seizure) you must also stop driving for one year from the date of the seizure. However, if during the next three years you continue to have only nocturnal seizures, you are then able to apply for a new licence. As long as seizures have only happened during your sleep over three years (and none have happened while you are awake), you can drive even though the nocturnal seizures are still happening.

Nocturnal seizures are seizures that happen when you are asleep. These seizures could happen during the day if you were to fall asleep, and not just at night.

'Exceptional circumstances'

If a seizure is caused by something that is unlikely to happen again (for example, a seizure that happens immediately at the time of a head injury), the DVLA may consider this to be 'provoked' by an 'exceptional circumstance'. Driving may be allowed if the cause can be found, and either treated or removed, and as long as there is no risk of a seizure happening again.

Exceptional circumstances are looked at on an individual basis by the DVLA. In only very few cases does the DVLA consider seizures to be provoked. Seizures caused by alcohol, recreational drugs, or by not taking medication are not considered to be provoked.

Changing or stopping medication

If medication is changed or stopped, there is a risk that seizures will start again. The DVLA recommends that you stop driving while changing or stopping your medication, and for six months afterwards.

During this time, if you do have a seizure you will need to stop driving and give up your licence. If you then become seizure-free for one year you can apply to get a new licence.

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DVLA regulations

Licence regulations

Getting your licence back

Do I have to inform the DVLA?

Will this affect my motor insurance?

Can I get help with travel costs?

Travelling by air

Licence regulations

Group 1 licences - cars, motorcycles and mopeds

The DVLA regulations say that you can drive as long as you meet all normal driving requirements and you have been completely free of seizures for one year, either with or without anti-epileptic medication.

The regulations are different if you have nocturnal seizures only (see above).

Taxi drivers need a valid DVLA driving licence to drive their vehicles, but the DVLA is not responsible for the extra requirements needed to drive taxis. Your local authority is responsible for setting the regulations for people to drive taxis in your area. Contact your local authority for the specific regulations in your area.

Group 2 licences - LGV and PCV

This category includes large goods vehicles (lorries) and passenger carrying vehicles (buses and minibuses of nine seats or more). In order to obtain an LGV or PCV licence you need to have been seizure-free, without taking anti-epileptic medication, for the last ten years. The DVLA will also need to be satisfied that you are not likely to have any more seizures.

Other types of vehicles

The DVLA regulations only cover vehicles that are driven on public highways, not vehicles that are used on private land. A valid driving licence is not needed for the following vehicles as long as they are only being driven on private land and not on public roads.

• Forklift trucks and farm vehicles (such as tractors and quad bikes). Although a driving licence is not needed for driving on private land, employers need to consider health and safety regulations if someone is to drive these vehicles as part of their job.
• Sit-on lawnmowers.
• Electric wheelchairs are not considered to be vehicles and so do not need licences.

Getting a new licence

Once you meet the DVLA regulations to drive, you can apply for a new licence.

It is often easier to get a new licence if your original one was returned voluntarily, rather than if the DVLA asked for it. As the process of re-issuing a licence can take time, it may be worth contacting the DVLA a little in advance to tell them when you expect to reach 12 months seizure-free. If your licence was given up voluntarily you may be able to start driving again once the DVLA has verbally agreed you can. If the DVLA asked you to surrender your licence, you may need to wait for them to send you a new licence, with a letter confirming that you are able to drive again. The DVLA will usually send you a questionnaire and ask permission to contact your doctor before issuing a new licence.

Will my new licence be the same as the old one?

When the licence is returned it is usually a three-year licence. If you remain seizure-free for seven years, you may be able to have a full licence that is valid until you are 70 (as with people who do not have epilepsy).

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Do I have to tell the DVLA if I've had a seizure?

There is a legal obligation for each person to inform the DVLA of any medical condition which may affect their ability to drive. This responsibility lies with the person themselves. If you continue to drive after having a seizure:

• your current licence will automatically be invalid;
• you will be driving illegally - driving without a valid licence is a criminal offence
• your insurance will no longer be valid, so you may have to cover costs of any claim from a third party.

More information can be found on the DVLA website (opens new window)

What can I do if my licence is taken away?

If the DVLA withdraws your licence or refuses your re-application for a licence, you can appeal against this decision. To do this, you need to make your appeal in writing, within a certain time of the DVLA notifying you of their decision. In England and Wales, this needs to be done within six months at a Magistrate's Court, or within 21 days at a Sheriff's Court in Scotland.

For more information on the appeals procedure write to the DVLA.

Will this affect my motor insurance?

If the DVLA thinks a person is fit to hold a driving licence then they are able to drive any vehicle that the licence covers. Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) motor insurance companies should not add a premium to insurance just because a person has a history of epilepsy.

For more information on the DDA, contact the Disability Rights Commission (opens new window).

Before giving a quote, an insurance company needs to consider your individual circumstances. When you get your licence back after a period of not driving due to seizures, it is usually a licence that lasts for three years. Insurance companies cannot use the fact that you had seizures - or that your licence is issued for three years - as a reason for increasing the premium, changing the policy or refusing a policy.

Insurance companies can ask questions or ask for more information about a medical condition to support the insurance application. They may ask to see your driving licence, or a letter from the DVLA confirming that you are allowed to drive. This should mean that each application is considered fairly. If an increased premium is quoted, the company must be able to justify the decision.

As with anyone looking for motor insurance, it may be worth contacting a number of companies to get the best quote and policy to suit you.

The Association of British Insurers gives information and guidance on purchasing insurance, and what to do if things go wrong.
Association of British Insurers (opens new window)

If problems occur that cannot be settled by an individual insurance company, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help.
Financial Ombudsman Service (opens new window)

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What about driving in other countries?

The rules for driving if you have epilepsy vary from country to country. However, if you have a UK driving licence, the DVLA regulations about epilepsy still apply to you when you are travelling abroad, rather than the driving regulations of the country you are visiting. If you live in another country for a while, but you have a UK licence, the DVLA rules still apply to you.

Can I get help with travel costs?

People with epilepsy who are unable to drive due to their seizures may be able to apply for reduced fares on trains, buses and coaches. The disabled persons railcard gives the cardholder, and their companion, a third off most rail fares. To apply you need written proof that you have epilepsy (usually a copy of your prescription for your anti-epileptic medication and a copy of your NHS prescription exemption certificate). Application forms are available from the railcards website (opens new window).

From April 2006 people who do not drive because of their epilepsy can get free off peak bus travel within the local authority or district council where they live. Contact your local council for details about discount travel in your area.

If you live in London you may be able to get a freedom pass that allows free travel on buses and trains around London. Freedom pass website (opens new window)

The Community Transport Association website has a list of local community transport schemes, including Dial-a-Ride. Dial-a-Ride provides wheelchair-accessible rides for people who have difficulty using public transport. For details on local transport schemes such as Dial-a-Ride look up community transport in the Yellow Pages or visit the links section of the Community Transport Association website (opens new window).

If you are unable to use public transport due to your epilepsy, you may be able to get financial help towards the cost of getting to work, through the Access to Work (AtW) scheme. This scheme is run by Access to Work Business Centres. For your nearest AtW Business Centre contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or visit Jobcentre Plus (opens new window).

If you are on a low income or receiving benefits you may be able to claim back your costs of travelling to and from hospital appointments, under the hospital travel costs scheme. For more information about this scheme contact your hospital, NHS Direct (0845 46 47), or Jobcentre Plus (opens new window).

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Travelling by air

Having epilepsy does not usually stop people from being able to travel by air. However, some people find that their seizures are triggered by extreme tiredness (such as jetlag), excitement or anxiety, all of which can be caused by travelling or flying.

When travelling by air it is recommended that you keep all your tablets (in their original containers) in your hand luggage. This means you will still have your medication with you while you are separated from the rest of your luggage.

It's also a good idea to carry information from your GP or specialist about your epilepsy and your medication. If your luggage is searched at customs, the officials can understand why you are carrying medication and what it's for.
More information about travelling abroad in epilepsy - leisure.

UK Epilepsy Helpline: 01494 601400
Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm

© The National Society for Epilepsy
December 2005