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.
These web pages are currently being updated.
Applying for your driving licence for the first time
Before you can start driving you will need a provisional driving licence. In England, Wales and Scotland you can apply online at www.direct.gov.uk or complete an application form available from Post Offices. In Northern Ireland you can get an application form from Post Offices, Local Vehicle Licensing Offices or MOT centres. To be allowed a provisional driving licence you will have to meet the epilepsy driving standards.
Reapplying for your driving licence
You should check with your doctor that you can meet the medical standards of fitness to drive before you re-apply for your driving licence. These standards are set out in the 'At a glance guide to the current standards of fitness to drive'. All medical practitioners have access to this publication.
To reapply for your licence you will need to complete two forms. In England, Scotland and Wales it is the D1 form, whilst in Northern Ireland it is the DL1 form. Everyone has to also complete a medical questionnaire. In Northern Ireland these forms can only be sent in two weeks before the date the person can legally drive again. In England, Scotland and Wales, these forms can be sent up to two months before that date. The forms are available from the form ordering service at the DVA/DVLA, or from Post Office® branches. The medical questionnaire for epilepsy can be found using the DVLA medical A to Z webpages.
What if the driving agency refuses my reapplication for a licence?
You can write to the driving agency asking them to reconsider your case. You will need to explain why you believe their decision is wrong, and send with your letter, a letter of support from your GP or epilepsy specialist. If your request isn’t successful, and you believe the driving agency is acting unlawfully, you can make a formal appeal. See Appeals
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 13 comments or add yours
Comments
The information given on re-applying for my driving license is very useful.
At least now I have a date to be working towards for this.
I have heard various dates from which I can re-apply, from every man and his dog.
I've got to admit i was hopeful that this time would be limited to six months.
However i'm three months in now, and can at least look forward to re-applying in August!
I lost my license last May due to medical reasons. I was told to re-apply after 12 months. The form was submitted in May and I'm still waiting, according to DVLA it can take upto 90 days to process if your licence was revoked 20 days if surrendered. At what point are you informed it could take 90 days to process? it should be publicized when it is revoked.
Do not bother e-mailing them or writing as your do not get a response!
All I get is "we do understand but you have to appreciate we are extremely busy".
Hi
It can be very frustrating when you've waited a year to drive and then to be told it can take another two or three months to actually be able to drive.
The DVLA have to go through their process for safety reason. Their process is writing to the doctor and waiting for the doctor’s reply. Then the DVLA also have an advisory panel that meet to assess each case. Finally they’ll process your driving licence and send it to you. Because all this takes time, they do allow people with epilepsy to start their application to drive, two months before they are due to start driving.
You didn’t say if you’d handed your driving licence in voluntarily. If you have, you can start to drive once the 12 months is up, even if you haven’t received your licence. That is, as long as your GP or epilepsy specialist agrees that you are safe to do so. If you didn’t hand your licence in voluntarily, you will have to wait until you get your licence back to drive.
I hope you don’t have to wait too much longer.
Advice and Information Team
I have to say how confusing. The DVLC guidance is as I gave my licence up voluntarily October 2011. My specialist said the DVLC will write to him he will reply and that will be it . The DVLC said initially this can take 3 weeks so 3 weeks before the year was up I sent in the relevant forms. I then had a reply from the DVLC stating they had written to my specialist and this could take up to 6 weeks. I have been thinking any day now I will get my licence as it is now 5 weeks. Today received a letter from DVLC (3 lines) stating they have received the info from my specialist and now said it goes to their medical advisor which can now take a further 8 weeks!!! Why state 3 weeks initially when in fact it could be 17 weeks!!
I am about six months into my year without driving. I haven't actual handed my licence in to the DVLC though I havent driven since the first of two seizures. Should I send in my licence in now and will it affect when I can drive again?
Hi RMP
The law says that if you have a seizure you must not only stop driving but inform the driving agency. Therefore, it would be advisable for you to surrender your licence to the DVLA (England, Scotland or Wales) or the DVA (Northern Ireland) . If you surrender your licence, this should not affect your return to driving date.
Regards
Diane
Advice and Information team.
I found this information very good as I to have been told 12 months with this now in mind I will be applying 2 months beforehand.
I have submitted my application 8 wks before the legal date that i can drive again due to information from this site. I would not have known that I could do this if this site had not stipulated that fact.
Thank you, I so look forward to receiving my licence :-)
Can anyone tell me when I can reapply? I have history of epilepsy and was clear for 13 years then I had 2 seizures last July and handed my licence in voluntarily! While changing my medication in September I had a absent seizure but with the new rules and regs regarding epilepsy and driving I don't know if I have to wait till July or September to reapply!
Hi Rachel
There are some new driving rules. One of these is about having a seizure because a doctor has advised you to change the dose or type of your epilepsy medicine. If, during this time, you have a seizure, then you go back to the original dose of medicine (on which you had been seizure-free), you may be able to apply or re-apply for your licence once you’ve been six months free from seizures.
However, because of these new rules and how each case can vary, the driving agency will assess each case individually. So, it's up to the driving agency to say if you can have your driving licence back and when this might be. If you go to the first page of our driving section, this gives information on the new rules about epilepsy and driving. http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/driving
Rosanna
Advice and Information Team
who completes the medical form is it GP or specialist epilepsy nurse or neurologist. Just thought it might speed process if I go to the right person first time.
Hi Mandy
The best contact person to put on the form is your neurologist. Then when you have returned the form to the DVLA, they will contact them. Hope that helps.
Cherry
Advice and Information Team
I handed in my license last year after having undiagnosed partial seizure epilepsy for 10 years, during this time I have never lost consciousness or my ability to function. When I handed my license in I sent a note explaining the reasons I felt still able to drive. The rules have clearly changed since then but no-one lets you know. My work and family life have both been compromised by my losing my license and I feel this lack of information is most unfair.