Driving for a living

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.   

Taxi driving

To drive a taxi you will need to have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months (three years in London) and hold a taxi operator’s licence. In England, Wales and Scotland you can apply for a taxi operator’s licence to the licensing unit of your local authority. In London you should apply to the Public Carriage Office.  In Northern Ireland, you should apply to DVA, Taxi Licensing Office, 148-158 Corporation Street, Belfast BT1 2DH.

Each licensing unit has its own conditions of licence. Some impose the extra health requirements that are needed to hold a category C or D licence see Driving License categories. Contact your local licensing unit for the licensing requirements in your area.

Driving forklift trucks or farm machinery

To drive a forklift truck or farm machinery on the public highway, you will need a full licence. The type of licence required will depend on the size of vehicle involved. You won’t need a driving licence to drive these on private land. However, if your seizures are not well controlled it could put you or others at risk when you are driving. In this case, you could face some restrictions under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Motor insurance

You will need to inform your motor insurers about your epilepsy for your motor insurance to be valid.

• More information on ‘epilepsy friendly’ insurance companies.