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Driving

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Last updated 27 Aug 2009, review date due 27 Feb 2010

This information applies to people in the UK only. If you live outside the UK, then more information about epilepsy and employment where you are will be available from your local epilepsy organisation.

Some jobs require you to be able to travel. The Disability Discrimination Act means that an employer cannot advertise a job as ‘driving licence essential’, unless there is no way that the job could be done without one.

For example, if you sometimes need to travel to different locations for work, but don’t hold a driving licence because of your epilepsy, a reasonable adjustment may be to use public transport or taxis. In this case, the employer could advertise the job as ‘able to travel’.

There are jobs where a driving licence is essential, such as taxi drivers, bus drivers or long distance lorry drivers. In these cases, an employer would not be discriminating by stating that an employee must hold a valid driving licence.

If you can’t drive because of your epilepsy, in the UK you may be entitled to help with the costs of travel to and from work, and also travelling while at work.

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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

Hi, I work in a factory in a job I've been doing for 20 years now. When I first got the job on the application form I stated that I was epileptic and the seizures were controlled by medication.

Recently I have begun having the occasional fit and am working with my GP and neurologist to sort out my medication to bring it back under control. My latest sezure though took place at work, the first at work. However I was called in to see the factory nurse for a chat and to identify hazards in my job. Immediatly I was asked if I drove a fork lift truck - because of my epilepsy obviously I have never driven a fork lift truck. I do occasionly use an electric hand barrow. The nurse said that this came under the same restrictions and that I could no longer use the hand barrow.

My question to anyone who can help is is she correct? Surely a truck which isnt actually driven, but uses power merely to lift heavy loads inches of the floor, has safety features built in to stop it moving as soon as you take your hand of the controls is safe to use?

Submitted by Collin Bilsland on 7 July, 2010 - 14:51.