The following information is only relevant if you live in the UK. If you live outside the UK, you can find out about the driving law in your country by contacting your your local epilepsy group.

If you’re over 17 and you haven’t had a seizure for at least 12 months, you can apply for a driving licence. This rule applies even if you’re taking anti-epileptic drugs.

If you’ve ONLY had seizures during your sleep for at least three years, you can also apply for a licence (even if you’re still having sleep seizures).

If you have a seizure after getting a licence, you have to stop driving and tell the DVLA or DVLNI straight away. Then it’s another 12 months’ wait. (If you have a sleep seizure and you’ve had only sleep seizures for at least three years, you don’t have to stop driving.)

If you don’t stop driving and don’t tell the DVLA or DVLNI about your seizure, you’d be breaking the law and your car insurance wouldn’t be valid. You’d also be putting yourself and other people at risk of an accident.

There are special rules about driving mini-buses, buses and trucks. For example, people with epilepsy can’t drive trucks unless they have been both seizure free and off medication for at least 10 years.

• More information about epilepsy and driving
  

Cycling

You’re legally allowed to ride a bicycle, even if your seizures aren’t controlled. However, you’re advised to take normal safety precautions, such as wearing suitable clothing and protective head gear. 

If you have frequent seizures, it’s sensible to avoid cycling on public roads. This is to reduce the risks of having an accident, which could put you and other people in danger.

The following information is only relevant if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.

Bus passes

If you’re over 17 and can’t get a driving licence because of your epilepsy, you can apply for a free bus pass.

• More information about free bus passes if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
  
  

Rail travel

If you have epilepsy and take anti-epileptic drugs you can apply for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. You’ll need to pay for this, but it will save you money if you travel by train regularly.
 
The railcard gives an adult a discount of up to a third on a range of rail tickets. The same discount also applies to one adult who is with the railcard holder.

Ways to get an application form for a Disabled Person’s Railcard 

• Ask at your local railway station
• Apply online at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
• Telephone Rail Travel made Easy on 0845 605 0525
• Call the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050

The following information is only relevant if you live in Northern Ireland

Bus and rail travel

If you can’t get a driving licence because of your epilepsy, you can get half price fares on bus and rail services in Northern Ireland.
Contact Translink for an application form.

Car image courtesy of istockphoto.com/Sergey_Korotkih
Girl on train image courtesy of istockphoto.com/A-Digit