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.
| Country | Agency | Shortened name |
| If you live in England, Scotland or Wales | Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency | DVLA |
| If you live in Northern Ireland | Driver and Vehicle Agency | DVA |
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
| Vehicle description | Driving licence category |
| Motorcycles and scooters | A+A1 |
| Cars; vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes; vehicles with 1-8 passenger seats | B |
| Car plus trailer | B+E |
| Goods vehicles 3.5-7.5 tonnes | C1 |
| Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes | C |
| Vehicles with 9-16 passenger seats | D1 |
| Vehicles with over 16 passenger seats | D |
| Tractors | F |
| Road rollers | G |
| Tracked vehicles | H |
| Electric vehicles | L |
| Mopeds | P |
| Sit-on lawn mowers; children's motor scooters | K |
By law you don’t need a driving licence to drive any vehicle on private land.
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.
We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
This information has been produced under the terms of The Information Standard.
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Updated May 2011To be reviewed May 2013
Comments: read the 9 comments or add yours
Comments
There is a great page here: driving licence categories that summarises all the driving licences in the UK.
i have had my last fit january this year, i did not have fits for for 5 years before the last. iam 17 and 18 in october and just wondering if i can apply for pervisonal just for id and would not use this to drive?
Cherry
Advice and Information Team
More information on driving
More information on the Citizen card
i have heard that if you have epilepsy but have never lost consciousness depsite still having seizures, you will be able to drive again by end of 2012. Please could you clarify who will be affected and how they go about getting their driving licence back?
Hi Alyson
Yes our current information is that the driving laws will be changing. However there is still no official confirmation from the DVLA about exactly when this will happen.
If you have only ever had seizures which involve no loss of consciousness, and if that has been the case for a year or more, then you may be able to reapply. But you will need this all confirming by a suitably qualified medical professional.
As soon as we have more information, we will put this on the website.
Cherry
Epilepsy Action
More information on the new UK driving regulations
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.
Can you please explain the last point on this - what does it mean what points does the DVLA take into account especially if, as I am, you are abiding with what the doctors say and taking all medication prescribed?
Hi
The last point means that you haven't been told by any of your doctors that they feel you are unsafe to drive. Some people will satisfy the epilepsy regulations, but have other medical conditions or disabilities that mean they are not safe to drive. Or they may have side-effects from medicines that make driving unsafe.
If your doctor tells you not to drive, and you continue driving, your licence could be invalid, as well as your insurance.
If you meet the epilepsy driving regulations, and your doctor has not said you are unsafe to drive, and you are not having side-effects from any medicines, once you have your licence back, you should be safe to drive.
Kathy
Advice and Information Team
Would I be able to become a driving instructor despite having epilepsy? I have been seizure free for two years and driving for a year.
Hi. Some people with a history of epilepsy will be able to train to become a driving instructor. However, they must meet a number of criteria to apply for this, including the following.
You can find out if you can apply to be a driving instructor, by answering some questions on the Gov.UK website: www.gov.uk/become-a-driving-instructor
More information about becoming a driving instructor is available from the Driving Standards Agency: http://assets.dft.gov.uk/dsa-bl/dsa_adi_14.pdf
I hope that helps.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team