Driving law relating to ‘provoked’ seizures

What are provoked seizures?

Some seizures may have a very specific cause that is unlikely to happen again. These seizures may be classed as ‘provoked’ by the driving agency. Seizures triggered by alcohol or illegal drug use are not classed as provoked seizures in relation to the driving law.

Provoked seizures with no previous history of seizures

If you have not had a seizure previously, and the driving agency believes the seizure you had was provoked, they will look at your case individually. Based on a doctor’s advice, the agency will advise you if you should stop driving and, if so, for how long.

Provoked seizures with a previous history of seizures

If you already have a history of seizures, and the driving agency believes the seizure you had was provoked, they may look at your case individually. You will have to prove that your seizures are otherwise totally controlled. You will also have to prove that there was a specific, one-off cause of the provoked seizure, that has now been removed.

In reality, it is extremely rare that seizures are treated as provoked by the driving agency, particularly if you have an established history of epilepsy. However, if you believe that this may apply to you, you should first talk to your doctor, who could contact the medical advisers at the driving agency to find out more on your behalf.

November 2008