Informing the driving agencies

Last updated 04 May 2011, review date due 04 May 2013

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.

Informing the driving agencies that you have had a seizure

Whose responsibility is it to inform the driving agency?

It is your responsibility to inform the driving agency.

Why do I have to inform the driving agency?

You have to inform the driving agency because if you don’t you are breaking the law. Your current driving licence may not be valid. And you may find your insurance will not cover you if you make a claim.

Does anyone else have to inform the driving agency?

Although it is your responsibility to inform the driving agency, if you don’t do this and carry on driving, anyone could report this to them. Your doctor may also inform the driving agency if you carry on driving when you shouldn’t. Although doctors have a duty to protect their patients’ confidentiality, over and above this, they have a duty of care to protect the public.

What do I need to do to inform the driving agency?

You should write to, or telephone, the driving agency, telling them the date of your most recent seizure. You can enclose your driving licence with your letter. It’s a good idea to either take a photocopy of your driving licence or to make a note of your driving licence number. This information will be helpful if you reapply for your licence at a later date.

Informing the driving agencies if you are withdrawing or changing your anti-epileptic drugs

Do I need to inform the driving agency if I’m withdrawing or changing my anti-epileptic drugs?

You may need to, depending where in the UK you live. See the table below.

Rules across the UK

Country	Withdrawing your AEDs	Changing your AEDs
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales	DVLA recommends that for safety, you should stop driving during the period of drug withdrawal, and for six months after withdrawal is complete. You don’t need to inform DVLA or return your licence.	Your doctor will advise you how long you may need to stop driving for. You don’t need to inform DVLA or return your licence.
If you live in Northern Ireland	You must stop driving and inform DVA when your AEDs are withdrawn. Six months after withdrawal is complete, you should apply for a medical form to DVA. DVA will advise you if you can start driving again	You must stop driving and inform DVA when your AEDs are changed. Six months after the change-over is complete, you should apply for a medical form to DVA. DVA will advise you if you can start driving again.

What you need to do after you have informed the driving agency that you have had a seizure

If you sent your driving licence back voluntarily

You don’t have to do anything further at this stage. But remember, you can no longer legally drive.

If you didn’t send your driving licence back voluntarily

The driving agency will send you a form to complete and ask your permission to contact your doctor(s) for a medical report. In some cases they may ask for you to be examined by one of their nominated medical practitioners. The driving agency will then write and tell you whether or not your driving licence is formally withdrawn and, if so, for how long. This is known as ‘revoking’ your licence. They will also ask you to send your licence back.