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.
Stopping driving if you have epilepsy or a history of epilepsy
Different types of seizures
The driving law currently applies to any type of epileptic seizure, such as absence, partial, myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures.
Awake and asleep seizures
Some people have seizures when they are awake, some people have seizures when they are asleep and some people have both awake and asleep seizures. The driving laws for ‘awake seizures’ and ‘asleep seizures’ are different. If you have both awake and asleep seizures, the law for awake seizures applies.
Awake seizures
If you have a suspected seizure at any time when you are awake, the law says you must stop driving and inform the driving agency.
Asleep seizures
If you have a suspected seizure when you are asleep, the law says you should stop driving and inform the driving agency. The exception to this is if you already hold a driving licence that has been issued on the full understanding that you have asleep seizures only.
Break-through seizures
If you hold a driving licence, and then have a break-through seizure, you should stop driving and inform the driving agency.
In exceptional circumstances, such as being given the wrong drugs, your doctor can seek advice from the Medical Adviser at the driving agency. Your doctor can then advise you what you need to do about your driving licence.
If the break-through seizure happens when you are asleep and your driving licence has been issued on the full understanding that you have asleep seizures only, you can carry on driving.
Stopping driving if you have a single seizure
The law says that if you have a seizure you must stop driving and inform the driving agency.
Single seizure with no specific cause
If you hold a category A, B, B+E, F, G, H, L or P licence you will need to stop driving for a minimum of six months from the date of the seizure. If you are also qualified to drive vehicles in categories C, C1, D, or D1 you will need to stop driving for a minimum of five years from the date of the seizure.
Single seizure with a specific cause
Some seizures have a very specific cause that is unlikely to happen again. These seizures may be classed as ‘provoked’ by the driving agency. The following, however, are not classed as provoked by the driving agency:
- seizures associated with alcohol or illegal drug use
- seizures associated with lack of sleep
- seizures associated with a structural abnormality.
The following are not automatically considered as provoked by the driving agency:
- seizures reported as a side-effect of prescribed medication.
If you believe your seizure could be classed as provoked by the driving agency, you should first talk to your doctor. Your doctor can contact the Medical Adviser at the driving agency to find out more on your behalf. If the driving agency believes your seizure could be classed as provoked, they will look at your case individually. Based on a doctor’s advice, the driving agency will advise you when you can start driving again.
Why you should stop driving
- If you don’t stop driving you may be breaking the law – and could face prosecution.
- Your current driving licence may not be valid.
- Your car insurance may not cover you.
- A seizure could affect your ability to drive safely.
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 31 comments or add yours
Comments
Useful info here if you have epileptic seizures, but theres nothing here about stopping driving if you have non epileptic seizures. Does the same apply to dissociative/psychogenic seizures?
Hi Laine
We don't have details for non-epileptic seizures and driving on our website. But on our page on non-epileptic attack disorder there are links to two websites where you’ll find information on driving. I hope this helps.
Cherry
Advice and Information Team
If someone is unable to drive due to epileptic seizures, would they be allowed to sit with a learner driver as a 'competent person'? I suspect the answer to that is no, but would like confirmation please?
Hi
I’m sorry, but to sit with a learner driver, you do need to have a full driving licence
Diane
Advice and Information Team
I have had Epilepsy for 27 years following major surgery. Generally speaking I am 'well controlled' but periodically have what I call 'breakthrough' seizures ie I have spells where whilst I do not go into full unconciousness I am confused, dizzy, and generally 'spaced out' maybe only for an hour or so or maybe for the whole day. Generally speaking I sleep these off. These happen maybe on average every two or three months or when I am particularly tired or stressed, they happen whilst I am awake as well as when asleep. In between I live life normally. 27 years ago when this started I was learning to drive but my instructor said I would not get a license so I never took my test or applied for a full licence. Nothing has changed since then, I remain in the same state. Would this still be true? I have been refused a disabled person's bus pass on the grounds that I would be able to drive.
Thank you.
Hi, I received my diagnosis of epilepsy some 10 years ago following a 12 month period where i had 6 seizures. I was prescribed a small dosage of carbamazaphine and luckily enough didnt have any more seizures from 2002 until this year when i had a grand mal seizure. I have surrendered my licence as you would expect, however would like to query the length of this given that my GP believes that my seizure may have been caused through medication not being reviewed given i have increased in weight over that period. I am also in a very stressful job and do become tired often. Any suggestions and is there any hope that i may be considered for a licence again following a 6 month seizure free period?
Hi Steven. I can understand why you are wondering if you can get your driving licence back after six months. Unfortunately, because you have a history of epilepsy, the driving regulations state that you can’t drive again until you have been seizure-free for 12 months. I’m sorry this isn’t the answer you were hoping for.
You might find it helpful to know that you will qualify for free bus travel (at certain times) and a Disabled Person’s Railcard, which gives you a third off all rail fares. You’ll find more information on the entitlements web page.
Advice and Information Team
Hello there, I'm looking for some information regarding group 2 licences. I would like to know if the criteria has changed regarding applying for the group 2 license, it used to be 10 years drug and seizure free, i have had epilepsy for 26 yrs but siezure free for 19yrs although controlled by drugs. I know that there has been a change in the law for diabetics and that one is due for epileptics, could you please clarify this for me? it would be a massive help for me.
Hi Darren
There are no planned changes to group 2 licences at this time. So, to qualify for a group 2 licence, people with epilepsy will still need to be 10 years' seizure free and 10 years without taking any epilepsy medicine.
Advice and Information Team
I have had one seizure and as a result I am currently on medication and have had to give up my license. Since that seizure I have not had any reoccurring ones. My doctor says I have to be seizure free for a year before I can drive again however on here it says 6months to a year. Since it was only one fit does that mean I can drive again after six months?
Hi Dave
Epilepsy and driving is one of the queries that we often get. This is because the driving law can be very complex. So, I hope the information below will help to explain things.
Your doctor would prescribe you with epilepsy medicine, if they felt that you are likely to have more seizures without it? If this is the case, you would need to be12 months seizure free, as in the epilepsy driving regulation.
If your seizure had a specific cause that is unlikely to happen again, you wouldn’t have been prescribed epilepsy medicine. This is when you might have been given your driving licence back after six months.
Rosanna
Advice and Information Team
I had a seizure 4 months ago, and a previous one 10 years ago. My neurologist says that I do not have epilepsy, and he would support my reapplication for a licence if I avoid having another seizure for 2 months. Is this correct?
I'm asking because your article does not appear to cover my situation as I don't have epilepsy, but have had multiple rather than single seizures.
The Driving agency will go by what your neurologist says. So if he says you don’t have epilepsy, then this would come under the driving rules for a single seizure. And so you would be able to drive again 6 months from the time of the seizure.
Cherry
Advice and Information Team
More information on stopping driving after a single seizure
Hi there,
I had viral meningitis 4 years ago (No seizure) I had a seziure 2 years ago when I had my drink spiked on holiday, I have recently had one more seizure 3 months ago and had to be hospitalised. I have seen my neurologist and he suspects epilepsy however I am not on medication. I have sold my car amd cancelled my car insurance, however I am unsure if I have to declare this to the DVLA if I am not on meds and how long I will have to wait until I can drive again?
Please help,
Many thanks
Hi
You do need to inform the Driving Agency relevant to where you live. You need to make them aware of the change to your medical history. The driving agency will then write and tell you whether or not your driving licence is formally withdrawn and, if so, for how long. The fact you are not on medication isn’t an issue for Driving licence category B. It’s the seizure activity that the DVLA need to know about.
Below are the regulations for epilepsy. You can drive again once:
* The one year’s seizure free period applies from the date of your most recent seizure.
Regards
Diane
Advice and Information Team
hi, i have had 6 seizures so far 5 or them was after nights out with friends as i am a young male 20 years old i like to drink socially with friends, i was refered to a neuroligist who told me i suffered from alchol related seziures so i made the decision to stop drinking alltogether, but my 6th episode happened after i was prescribed cocodamol for back pain, does this still mean my seizures are alchol related and will i be able to drive, i am an electrician and wouldnt be able to do my job without my licence, any advice would be greatly.
Hi Jamie.
You might find it helpful to have a look at our alcohol information. As you will see, drinking no more than one or two units of alcohol in 24 hours doesn’t usually increase the risk of having seizures. But if you have a history of alcohol abuse, even drinking small amounts could increase the number of seizures you have. This is also the case if you have had seizures related to drinking alcohol in the past.
You do need to declare your seizures to DVLA (if you are in England, Scotland or Wales) or DVA (if you are in Northern Ireland) and shouldn't really drive in the meantime. Unfortunately, it is likely that you will lose your licence for a period of time. As you need to be able to drive for work, you might qualify for some help, including funding for a driver, through the Access to Work scheme. This would be available through the Access to Work adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus. You are also likely to qualify for free bus travel and reduced rail fares.
Cherry
Advice and Information Team
More information on alcohol
More information on benefits
More information on Access to Work
i have just went to the doctor after having 2 seizures and the tests that were performed have all came back clear
The doctor has advised me there is strong CCTV evidence that i had was 2 provoked tonic-clonic seizures however they cannot be 100% confirmed as she has never came across this situation before
i had a habbit that i was leaning on my neck and was cutting the blood flow to my head. i no longer have done this after the second one and have not had any other seizures.
how long would i have to stop driving for? i have not been driving since my first seizure but i have not informed the DVLNI either
Hi Dee
If your seizures do turn out to be epilepsy, you would need to stop driving until you've been seizure-free for 12 months. You can find more information at Driving licences and the epilepsy driving standards.
I hope this helps.
Rosanna
Advice and Information Team
I had a seizure last weekend,my first in nearly 7 years!
I had my 1st seizure when I was 12,my 2nd when I was 16 and my 3rd now - a week before my 23rd birthday.
I've had lots of tests and scans, all of which have indicated that I do not have any brain abnormality or suffer from epilepsy. My neurologist has said that he feels my seizures are migrane induced.I was on topirimate for two years following my 2nd seizure but my neurologist told me to stop taking it because as I said he felt my seizures were migrane induced.
My problem now is with my driving licence!I'm aware I will have to stop driving but I'm wondering if I will be able to have my licence renewed in 12 months because of the nature of my seizures?
I'm about to start my one year PGCE teacher training course and the prospect of getting to placements without my car (which I've only had for six months and is on a finance agreement so I will have to carry on paying it!) is a massive inconvienience.
My second problem is that I'm now faced with the issue that I'll have to pay for my car and fork out for all my bus and train fayres to get to placements!Is there any help for me when I'll be travelling to school on weekdays before 9.30am?
Hi Ruth
I can imagine it will have been something of a shock to have a seizure after 7 years.
As this is a third seizure, my advice would be to stop driving until you have seen your neurologist again. If they still consider your seizures to be migraine induced, then you will need to follow the driving rules for migraine rather than epilepsy. The neurologist will talk to you more about this.
If your neurologist thinks you have epilepsy then you will need to stop driving until you have been seizure free for 12 months. In this situation you would have various entitlements. So if you had a diagnosis of epilepsy and had to stop driving, you would be entitled to a free bus pass. However, it is unlikely you would be able to use this before 9.30 (see the link below).
Hope this helps.
Cherry
Advice and Information Team
More information on diagnosis: http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/diagnosis
More information on seizures: http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/diagnosis
More information on driving: http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/driving
More information on entitlements: http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/benefits
i had a seizure 2 months ago, still waiting for test results. my employer has just mailed me a letter saying they are going to terminate my contract, i can understand this due to the nature of the work i do but was just wondering if there was anything i could do, i have been doing other duties at work which dont involve driving but the company says it is uneconomical to keep me in this role till the seizure free period has passed. any info welcome
Hi Robert
This is quite complicated. If you live in the UK and are diagnosed with epilepsy, you are automatically covered by the equality laws. However, doctors don’t usually make a diagnosis of epilepsy until you’ve had two or more epileptic seizures.
The equality laws are the Equality Act (for people who live in England, Scotland and Wales) and the Disability Discrimination Act (for people who live in Northern Ireland). They place a duty on your employers to make reasonable adjustments to help you stay in work. For example, they could find duties for you to do that do not involve driving, until you are able to do so again. This is as long as there are other duties available to do, and it is reasonable for the employer to find other ways to cover your driving duties during that time. Alternatively, they could consider other ways for you to travel around, such as by public transport or taxi.
It sounds like you don’t have a diagnosis of epilepsy yet, so could ask your employer if there is any way they can help you until you are able to drive again? If you have only had one seizure, and you don’t have any more, you should be allowed drive again when you have been seizure-free for six months. You could contact ACAS, to see if they can offer you advice about how to approach your employer, tel. 08457 474 747.
You may also find these web pages helpful:
Diagnosing epilepsy
The Equality Act
The Disability Discrimination Act
Work and epilepsy
I do hope you find a solution. If we can be of any further help, please contact us again.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team
Having been diagnosed with epilepsy 5 years ago, after a series of seizures, I surrendered my driving license and gratefully received it back a year later once my condition was under control.
Last week, after the most stressful few weeks at work imaginable, which consisted of early starts, late nights and an Ofsted inspection, I had a seizure in front of the class I teach. I hadn't been entirely complient with my medication during this last few weeks either.
I could kick myself for not looking after myself properly. How long now before I can realistically look forward to driving again?
Hi Adam. I appreciate how frustrating this must be for you. If you live in the UK, and you have no more seizures, you will be allowed to drive 12 months after the date of the seizure.
As you already know, stress and not taking your epilepsy medicine as prescribed are very common triggers for seizures. If you have problems remembering to take your epilepsy medicine, would it help to use an alarm or a pill reminder? You might also want to look out for a new app for smart phones that we are developing, which will have a medication reminder on it. We’re hoping this will be available by Christmas.
When you are feeling stressed, you could ask your GP if they have any suggestions for helping you to deal with this.
I hope this helps.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team
Hi I had one night time seizure two months ago after a busy stressful period of work. I had a number of tests including MRI on my brain all of which came back fine. The doctor said to see him after 6 months for another check up i stopped driving straight away as a precaution but I do not know if I need to surrender my licence, my employer has made it clear that if I loose it more than 6 months I will lose my job, any advice would help.
Hi Daz
It’s best to inform the DVLA even if you’ve only had one seizure. 1 in 20 people have a single seizure in their lives. So that may be the case for you. After 6 months you will need to see your consultant again, and if they are okay with you driving, then you should tell the DVLA. If you are diagnosed with epilepsy, you will be covered under the Equality Act. This means your employer cannot simply dismiss you without looking at the options. This could include making reasonable adjustments to your work or, in some cases, seeing if there is other work they could offer you . It will depend on what work you do, how possible the adjustments might be. But you might want to keep a note of anything your employer says on the matter, in case it does become a problem. But I do hope it’s straight forward for you.
Cherry
Epilepsy Action advice and information team
More information on driving and epilepsy
More information on epilepsy diagnosis
More information on employment and epilepsy
Hi, I had a seizure/fit that came without warning whist I was in town in July. There were witnesses in the shop where it happened that said my legs & arms were moving and I did bang my head when I fell. I felt light headed & as though there were lights in front of my eyes, before it happended. But I don't know if I felt faint, fell, banged my head & then had a seizure/fit. I've seen a neurologist & straight away he said I won't be able to drive for a year. My CT scan at the time was clear, I've had an MRI and EEG, which are both clear. On my blood test, it shows I am anemic. This has never happended before. As I understand it having one seizure means you can't drive for 6 months which is fine but if I don't have epilepsy why would my neurologist say a year. When I questioned this he said that was the law, however, when I surrendered my licences I was told 6 months. I'm due to see my neurologist again next week. So I want to be clear with where I stand as I'm confused and obviously would like my license back ASAP.. I have been fine since this and nothing else has happened. Thank you for your help
Hi Nicki.
Thanks for your message. It is certainly the law that after a single seizure you can’t drive for at least 6 months. Whether it is any longer, depends on whether you get a diagnosis of epilepsy.
This is not an easy thing to diagnose. It is possible to have a clear EEG and MRI and still have epilepsy. But also epilepsy is defined as having recurrent seizures. And about one in 20 people have a single seizure in their lives. So if you have not had any other episodes like this, but your neurologist diagnoses you with epilepsy, you may want to ask them on what basis this decision has been made.
If you are not given a diagnosis, then you are entitled to apply for your licence back, on the basis that the episode is unlikely to happen again. See reviews and appeals fro what to do if that becomes a problem.
I hope this works out for you.
Cherry
Advice and information Team
More information on diagnosing epilepsy
More information on driving and single seizures
More information on reviews and appeals
Hi,
I got diagnosed with Epilepsy in March 2012 and stopped driving right away but didn't inform the DVLA until I voluntary surrendered my licence at the start of September 2012 as I was really busy and spent lots of time out of the county. I'm looking at now re-applying as it will be coming up to my year free of seizures ( March 2012- seizures stopped within 3 weeks of being diganosed & taking Lamotrigine) , will the DVLA allow me to drive again even though I only informed them in September? Or do they just go on my medical history as that shows I have been seizure free for the year? I only have very mild seizures (feeling of de ja vue, nausea, space out) Helpp :D thanks x
Hi D
You mentioned that you only have very mild seizures. If you still have the mild seizure, they are still seizures and this would stop you from being able to get your licence back. You could check with your doctor that you can meet the medical standards of fitness to drive before you re-apply for your driving licence.
The one year’s seizure free period applies from the date of your most recent seizure, even if that was very mild seizures. So, if your most recent seizure was in March 2012 you will be eligible to drive in March 2013. That is as long as you don’t have any further seizures up to then.
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can start an application, for the return of your licence this month. It can take a few weeks for the licence to be returned, so the DVLA allow people to apply two months before they are due to drive. This doesn’t apply to the DVA in Northern Ireland. The DVA say you need to be 12 months seizure free before you can apply for a driving licence.
On the driving section of our website there is a piece of information about reapplying for your driving licence, it might be a guide for you.
Rosanna
Advice and Information Team