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Reapplying for your driving licence

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Last updated 14 Oct 2009, review date due 14 Apr 2010

How to reapply for your driving licence

Two months before the date you are due to get your licence back - but no sooner - you can write to the driving agency. You should state that you wish to reapply for your licence. You should give the date when you should be allowed to start driving again. Include your old driving licence number if you have it. The driving agency will send you a form to complete, asking about your last seizure. They will ask your consent for a medical enquiry. They will also ask for the name of a doctor who can provide a medical report.

There is no cost for reapplying for your licence, if you lost it because of your epilepsy.

When you can start driving again depends on whether you sent back your last licence voluntarily, or whether it was formally withdrawn (revoked) by the driving agency.

Your driving licence 

When you can start driving again

Do I need my new licence from the driving agency to start driving again?

If you sent your licence back voluntarily

You can start driving again when you meet the epilepsy driving regulations. This is provided:

  • your doctor agrees that you meet the epilepsy driving regulations, and
  • you have checked and can confirm that the driving agency has received your application. 

No

 

If you didn’t send back your driving licence voluntarily and it was revoked 

You can only start driving again once you have your new driving licence.  

Yes 

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 family doctor or epilepsy specialist. If your request isn’t successful, and you believe the driving agency is acting unlawfully, you can make a formal appeal.


Making a formal appeal

If your request for a review of the driving agency’s decision isn’t successful, and you still believe their decision is unlawful, you may decide to make a formal appeal. The driving agency should send you details of the appeals process at the time of the licence decision.

England and Wales

Who to appeal to  Time you have to appeal 
Your local Magistrates’ Court  Six months from the date of DVLA’s decision 

Scotland

Who to appeal to  Time you have to appeal
Sheriff Court  21 days from the date of DVLA’s decision 

Northern Ireland

Who to appeal to  Time you have to appeal 
Your local Magistrates’ Court  Three months from the date of issue of the decision letter 

 

 

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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.
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Comments

I need a medical expert who will fight my case against the inept establishment. I had a seizure watching "Paranormal Activities" neither the neurologist GP or DVLA will take my previous evidence into account. I have blacked out twice before in a cinema situation over 25 years ago and did not seek medical attention, but steered clear of those types of film (scary gory types, I am not photo senetive). This time I had an MRI scan which shows I have a piece of my left temporal lobe missing since birth. My argument is I have had this condition all my life and never "blacked out" in normal life situations. I need an expert that understands my condition and defend my right to drive. Hopefully you can help me or point me in the direction of a neurologist who isn't a spineless government puppet.

Submitted by jack warner on 10 April, 2010 - 12:48.

I think you should talk to your GP or hospital doctor. I have seizures and often don't know they have happened because I don't get a warning. I thought I had only had a seizure twice whereas my friend kept a diary for me and I was quite shocked. If I had been driving I could have killed someone. My own children or other people's children could have died.

I know people who lie about their seizures and have then gone on to have accidents. So far not injuring or killing someone. It can take more than a month for medication to build up in your system to a level that can control your epilepsy to begin with. What criteria would your doctor use when assessing your ability to drive every 3 months? Whilst I appreciate your financial difficulties you really need to read about and talk to someone who can explain the ins and outs of why you need to be seizure free for 12 months. Meanwhile try ti train for another job just in case you don't get your license back for a while. I haven't driven for over 15 years.

Submitted by geravon on 13 January, 2010 - 18:13.

Sorry Kevin, but that's just the way it is. I'm in the same boat and only just beginning my year. It's made such a huge impact on my life, but at the same time I wouldn't want to endanger people's lives by returning to the road too soon. It's unfortunate, but just cannot be helped.

Submitted by Liam on 29 December, 2009 - 01:07.

Why do you have to be put off the road for 12 months when you give your licence back voluntary. This is only the 2nd time that I have had a fit and I am 42 yrs old. I am aware that people can b put off the road for things but I really do think that if you were to get us checked medically that we could be driving sooner as I am now out of work and finding it hard to support my family while on benefits. Can DVLA please have a rethink as I have no problems getting checked out every 3 months just so that I can drive as it is my job. Many thanks.

Submitted by Kevin Shepherd on 7 December, 2009 - 11:32.

I have just got the medical report form (d4) supplied by the dvla, that you can pick up from a post office. it says that it needs to be completed by your doctor aswel, and that you must meet the conditions in section c which read "Applicants must have been free of epileptic seizures for at least the last ten years and have not taken anti-epileptic medication during this ten year period. DVLA must refuse or rvoke the licence if these conditions can not be met." ......WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT? I thought it was one year?

By what i read it looks like DVLA have mistakenly sent you the wrong kind of application form, its a (d1) form that u require, as (d4) is an application for large vehicle/bus/passenger carrying vehicle! just go to ur post offcie and you can pick one up from there.

Submitted by dave on 21 October, 2009 - 21:17.

I have just got the medical report form (d4) supplied by the dvla, that you can pick up from a post office. it says that it needs to be completed by your doctor aswel, and that you must meet the conditions in section c which read "Applicants must have been free of epileptic seizures for at least the last ten years and have not taken anti-epileptic medication during this ten year period. DVLA must refuse or rvoke the licence if these conditions can not be met." ......WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT? I thought it was one year?

Submitted by Evie on 6 October, 2009 - 17:33.

I've just read your email and it is 12 months seizure free, so whoever told you 10mths are definiteyl wrong. Hope you get driving again because I know what its like. I began with it about 12 years ago. Put me medication and was about 3 yrs before they could get my mediation on track. I started driving and after about 4/5 years they began again! So for the last 3 yrs and 7 mths still isn't sorted. My last one was beginning of May so fingers crossed as its driving me round the twist. So almost 6mths and 6 to go.

Submitted by Trina on 14 September, 2009 - 13:03.

I will be fit free for one year on September 1st this year, when will it be a good time for me to reapply for my licence and how do i do it, I aint got the foggiest in what to do, all i know is i need it back asap as work is very dimm without it. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks :)

Submitted by Mark on 11 June, 2009 - 18:48.

Help!! Can anyone help clarify the position on getting back your driving license. I had a fit back in September 08 after nearly 4 years fit free! I voluntarily surrendered my license and got on with begging lifts from anyone and everyone. Fingers crossed I will be submitting my application to drive again within a couple of months. I was told by someone at DVLA that as I had surrendered my license voluntarily, once DVLA had my application and my doctor had agreed I was fit to drive I could then start driving, even if DVLA had not issued my license. I assumed he meant after 12 months, but he clarified and said no - in effect I could drive after 10 months as long as they had my application. A few weeks ago I contacted DVLA again to see what I needed from my doctor to enable me to drive after 10 months and she informed me that the previous information was wrong and that I couldn't drive until the 12 months was up. She was as adamant she was right as the first guy I spoke to. Can anyone confirm either way. I live in hope the first guy was right but suspect it is the later!
Cheers

Submitted by Vicki on 24 April, 2009 - 13:48.