Driving agencies and licence categories

These pages are about driving laws in the UK. If you are looking for information about driving laws in another country, please contact your local epilepsy organisation.   

The driving agencies

As well as licensing vehicles, the driving agencies decide if people are allowed to drive. They are also responsible for issuing driving licences to individuals.

Contact details are at the end of this driving section 

The terms ‘driving agency’ and ‘driving agencies’ are used where the information applies to both DVLA and DVA. Where something applies only to DVLA or only to DVA, we make that clear.

Driving licence categories

Contact DVLA or DVA for further information about vehicle descriptions and driving licence categories.

Driving licences and the epilepsy driving standards

Epilepsy driving standards for driving small vehicles
You can apply or reapply for a category A, B, B+E, F, G, H, K, L or P licence as long as:

• you have been free from seizures completely for one year*, or
• you have experienced asleep seizures only, for a period of at least three years; and
• as far as your are able, you follow your doctor’s advice about your treatment and check-ups for epilepsy; and
• the driving agency is satisfied that as a driver you are not likely to be a source of danger to the public.

* The one year’s seizure free period applies from the date of your most recent seizure.

Licences are usually for one, two or three years. Three years is the most common. Once you have been seizure free for a total of five years, and your doctor supports this fact, you can apply for a long term licence. In Northern Ireland you can apply for a 10 year licence. In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the rules change when you get to 70. 

Epilepsy driving standards for driving lorries and buses

To drive lorries you need a category C1 or C entitlement. To drive buses you need a category D1 or D entitlement. See Driving licence categories.

In England, Wales and Scotland you can apply for these entitlement categories to be added to your licence as long as you:

• hold a full car licence; and
• have been free of seizures for ten years; and
• have not had to take anti-epileptic drugs during this ten year period

In Northern Ireland you can apply to the DVA for these entitlement categories to be added to your licence as long as you:

• have been declared fit to drive after a medical examination by a consultant nominated by your driving agency.