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.
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
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 6 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.