I’ve had a seizure – what should I do?
Last checked 18/06/2008
Seizures when you are awake
If you have a suspected seizure at any time when you are awake, you must stop driving and inform the DVLA. A seizure is classed as any type of epileptic activity such as absences, partial, myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures.
This rule applies whether it is your first ever seizure or if you have a history of seizures.
You will normally have to stop driving until you have been seizure free for at least 12 months (for more details, see When can I apply or reapply for my licence?).
Seizures when you are asleep
If you have a seizure when you are asleep you must stop driving and inform the DVLA.
The only exception to this rule is if you have been having sleep seizures only (and no awake seizures) for a period of at least three years, and you have already told the DVLA about your seizure history. (For more information, see When can I apply or reapply for my licence?).
You will normally have to stop driving until you have been completely seizure free for at least 12 months or you have established a pattern of sleep seizures only for at least three years (for more details, see When can I apply or reapply for my licence?).
10 July 2007
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- UK freephone 0808 800 5050
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- Online Tuesdays 1900-2100
- Email: helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
- Txt msg: 07797 805 390 info
Latest News
Less than half of patients with active epilepsy in the United States are informed by their doctors about treatment options, according to a survey by the American Epilepsy Society and the Epilepsy Foundation.
Asking people who have partial seizures how often they have seizures does not appear to provide an accurate count, according to a report in the journal Archives of Neurology.




