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Last updated 14 Oct 2009, review date due 14 Apr 2010

Introduction

The information in this section is about driving for people with epilepsy in the UK. It covers the rules for holding a driving licence and explains how the agencies that issue driving licences work. It also tells you what help with transport costs is available, if you can’t drive because of your epilepsy.

If you live outside the UK, you can find out about the driving law in your country by contacting your local epilepsy group.

Driving on motorway

Acknowledgements

Epilepsy Action would like to thank staff at DVLA and DVA for checking this information about driving and epilepsy.

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Comments

I have had epilepsy since I was 12 and took malaria tablets that caused me to fit, my fits have come on almost annually since but as I have got older (I am 33 now) they are probably every 2-3 years. I have never learnt to drive as I have always feared the possibility of killing someone, it has taken me years to finally gain the confidence to learn and I have recently applied for my provisional license.

Submitted by Lisa on 9 August, 2010 - 10:15.

Changes in road layouts DO NOT affect the person's ability to drive. Would you suggest a refresher course to those who have been banned for drink drving or speeding?

And what about drink drivers and those who speed??? Would you consider a person with angina as fit to drive or for that matter people who wear glasses? Anyone who drives is capable of risking the life of others - YOU included!

Submitted by lesley smith on 28 July, 2010 - 11:35.

Claire - I agree possibly about the driving refresher comment but with regards to having to take the test again I think is a bit extreme. It took me 3 attempts to pass my driving test 10 years ago & found the whole expereience rather stressful. I would undoubtedly say my driving has improved 100% over the years since my original lessons and I had no problems after a year slipping back into the drivers seat. However it does take a little time to completely regain your confidence.

Submitted by N Swinburn on 5 July, 2010 - 15:35.

I would like to comment on Mary Hassell's post. I think that your comment is extremely discriminatory against not just people with epilepsy but others with medical conditons and disabilities. I would imagine that you do not have any personal experience of epilepsy and it's complications and the intricate details of it. People with epilepsy - myself included - have as much entitlement to lead a normal life as anyone else, and I think that your comments are extremely out of turn, to be frank. Epilepsy is a common disorder and can be fully controlled by medication, allowing those with the condition to lead normal lives - this includes driving. The DVLA and other bodies have done a great deal of research into the condition and they have declared it safe for people with epilepsy to drive based as long as they meet certain conditions.
With your comments in mind, would I be right in thinking that you would happily revert society back to the Victorian times where those with epilepsy and other conditions and disabilities are locked up so as not to offend those "normal" people and to rot away with no quality of life or freedom, for being born with something that makes them different??
I am epileptic and have been since I was a child. Despite this condition, I have managed to lead a perfectly normal life gaining a good degree and getting a well paid job. I am also a driver and have been since the age of 17. Is this something epileptic people should not be able to do??
Your opnion is appalling Mary, and I think you have chosen the wrong forum to air your opinion.

Submitted by liz on 2 July, 2010 - 15:24.

I think that if you have an epeleptic fit and are not allowed to drive for a year or so then you should have to redo your test, or at least be made to have 5 refresher lessons. Epilepsy affects people in different ways, and I think its safer for the person and other passengers and road users to be retested. This is coming from experience of 2 family members who have had epilepsy and then started driving again after a year or 2 of being ft free. I for one would feel safer if they had refresher lessons or retook a test, as a lot of road layouts can change in a short period of time.

Submitted by Claire on 29 June, 2010 - 17:43.

In response to Mary Hassels comment. People with epilepsy who think about driving aren't irresponsible. That comment was really unfair. For many people driving is a vital part of their lives. I'm devastated that I can't drive. I think about driving and one day I'm sure I will be able to. I'm sure people who suffer from epilepsy like me however, are more focused on getting their seizures controlled before driving as they are so terrifying to live with. I've tried loads of medication to find the right combination and would never think about learning to drive YET until I was seizure free. So don't use the word irresponsible when epilepsy sufferers ARE responsible when it comes to their treatment in order to one day drive without the risk of harming others.

Submitted by Gemma M on 20 June, 2010 - 00:11.

The one year ban is put into place by the DVLA. I am currently within my year and believe that is it the best thing for me, even if it does frustrate me at times. I was able to drive for over 6 years and having my licence taken off me is frustrating but know that if i had had a fit while i was driving and hurt (or as a worst case killed) someone then I would be able to live with that. I think that people with epilepsy should be allowed to drive but regulations need to be put into place not just for our safety but for others. The annoying fact is when you tell people you cant drive the automatically assume you have done something wrong and this isnt fair, this is due to other idiots on the road who break the law.

PS, I was diagnosed around about 12 years ago.

Submitted by Gemma on 15 May, 2010 - 16:47.

Mary Hassall - If you are going to take that attitude then you could say that about ANYONE not just people that have Epliepsy!!!!!! You obviously don't know much about the condition if you are making ridiculous statements like that. It it hard enough living with Epilepsy without people like you judging us. I agree with the comment below, you do not have to have Eplilepsy to kill someone with a car.

Submitted by N Swinburn on 13 May, 2010 - 16:46.

That is why you are given anti-epileptics and you are banned from driving for a year. How would you feel if you got told you couldn't drive if something abnormal happened to you ONCE in your life!? Its only likely to happen if you drive without medication or have seizures often in which case you wouldn't be able to drive anyway. I think your completely out of order. Anybody that has severe epilepsy can't drive if its not controlled. You've really angered me about this because your probably just as likely to have an accident and kill somebody as somebody that has epilepsy and is taking drugs to control it.

Submitted by Claire on 9 May, 2010 - 19:12.

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy 11 years ago when I was 19 & I have been driving for 10 of those years. I have not had any seizures since I was first diagnosed. Why should I not drive ???? I live in a very remote village that has a bus into the next town once a week, if I didn't drive I would be completely isolated. I think your comment was unnecessary

(My post was directed at Mary Hassalls comment)

Submitted by Natalie Wade on 9 April, 2010 - 11:44.

Hello there,

It is such a helpful site for epileptics. I was struggling whole day to know about the rules and regulations in UK for driving for the epileptics but did not get the satisfactory answer anywhere. Here i got the best reply and up to the mark answers and all the information related to the condition.
Thank you very much.

Kind regards,
Vijayata

Submitted by Vijayata on 19 March, 2010 - 19:26.

If you have ever had epilepsy it is very irresponsible to even think of driving. You may kill or mame yourself if you like but you have no right to risk the life of others. Don't be so selfish. What would you think of someone else who killed your child / sister / brother / husband like that? Not much,a murderer, because they knew it was likeley to happen. Yes I am being blunt, death is.

Submitted by Mary Hassall on 23 February, 2010 - 19:19.

I had a fit about a year ago when i was 16 and was told i wouldnt be able to drive for a year after the fit. this one year is up next month but i have been researching into this and have found no information on this 1 year ban after a fit. it is only the one fit i have had, and would like to start driving? can anyone give me some information on driving with photosensitivity?

Submitted by Claire on 9 February, 2010 - 22:39.

heyyaa my ex boyfriend has epilepsy really bad he cant even go out to night clubs because he cant go near flashing lights because he will have a fit and it is a really bad thing when you cant go out and enjoy your self with his mates!!!

Submitted by stacy simmons on 19 January, 2010 - 11:44.

I have only recently found out that I was entitled to a free bus pass and disabled persons rail card having being diagnosed with epilepsy around 6 years ago. I thought that the disabled persons rail card only entitled companions of travelers to travel for the 1/3 discount if holder of the card was blind and therefore actually needs to be escorted in some cases. Does the entitlement also apply to people with epilepsy and other qualifying conditions?

Submitted by Alistair D on 1 January, 2010 - 23:10.

I lost my licence in 1986. Immediately after my first fit, I phoned DVLA and gave up my licence. If anyone reading this has had a fit but thinking about not telling DVLA - please, please tell them. You are a danger to yourself, your passengers and anyone else on the road. If it is discovered you had a fit and didn't tell DVLA your insurance will be null and void as well.

I did finally get my licence back in 2004 but lived for 20 years without one - it is a hassle but you can learn to live without your car.

If you are reading this and know someone who has had a fit and is still driving - please stop them - it is for their own good!

Submitted by Alistair on 20 July, 2009 - 20:22.

This page is sure informative and there is a great deal of epilepsy knowledge here. Driving must be very difficult under this condition. It's good that there are regulations of having a drivers licence when you have this kind of illness. Lehti

Submitted by Lehti on 15 July, 2009 - 21:41.

If you do not qualify for a driving license because your epilepsy is not kept 100% under control by your medication or you have not had a seizure for the requisite number of years to qualify for a license you can get yourself:

- a free bus pass entitling you to free bus travel on public services (go to your local council offices or try your local council's website)

- A Disabled railcard, you cna buy this from train stations and they last a year and entitle you and 'a carer' (even if you don't require a carer you can use the discount for your travelling companion) to 1/3 off rail journeys in the UK.

Submitted by Hannah Dudley on 18 May, 2009 - 16:19.

I haven't been diagnosed with epilepsy but when I'm driving past those white painted "hatched" areas between lanes on motorways , I find the flashing sensation unnerving and try to look away. I emailed the highways authority but received a dismissive email

Submitted by peter diet on 16 April, 2009 - 09:04.