Driving with epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological situation that impacts around 600,000 folks in the UK – or about one in each 100.

The situation can strike any individual at any age and benefits in recurrent and occasionally unexpected seizures. Which implies it can have critical implications for motorists.

The medical requirements around driving with epilepsy are really detailed and can be complicated, so the DVLA is functioning with the Epilepsy Society to raise awareness of the guidelines around driving with the condition to support sustain the safety of the UK’s roads.

So if you or a person you know suffers from the condition, right here is a swift run-down what you require to know about driving with epilepsy…

Group 1 drivers (cars and motorcycles)

If you have epilepsy and drive a automobile or ride a motorcycle, you will generally be granted a 3-year licence supplied you have:

• Not had an epileptic attack in the final 12 months, unless your seizures fall under 1 of the concessions listed on page 23 of the DVLA ‘At a Glance Guide’.


• Complied with the tips of your doctor or consultant regarding remedy and check-ups.

When you have been free of seizures for 5 years you will usually be issued a licence that is valid until your 70^th birthday.

You must inform the DVLA of a initial unprovoked epileptic seizure and will have to stop driving for 6 months from the date of the 1st seizure. If you’re regarded as to be at high threat of suffering a additional seizure you’ll have to hang up the automobile keys for a year.

Group 2 drivers (lorries and buses)

You will only be granted a licence to drive a lorry or bus if you’ve remained totally free of seizures for 10 years with out taking any anti-epilepsy medication. The duration of the licence will depend upon your medical specifics.

Again, you should inform the DVLA of your 1st unprovoked epileptic seizure and then cease driving Group 2 automobiles for 5 years from the date of this seizure. In addition, you’ll have to be assessed by a neurologist, and the benefits should show no indication that that the danger of a further seizure is greater than 2% a year.

You need to also have taken no anti-epilepsy medication throughout the 5-year period prior to the granting of the licence.

If you are a taxi driver the regulations for Group 2 licences may possibly apply to you, but you need to get in touch with your personal nearby authority to uncover out its position on requirements for driving.

Autos which need to have no licence (forklift trucks, farm cars and sit-on lawnmowers)

DVLA regulations only apply to autos that are driven on public highways and not private land, but if you or a person you employ drives any of these vehicles on private land as portion of a job the Wellness and Security Executive advises standards for driving are similar to automobile and  LGV (light goods car) requirements, based upon size and w7

If these automobiles are driven on public highways you’ll require a driving licence and should get in touch with the Overall health and Safety Executive on 0845 345 0555.

Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters

Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not regarded as to be ‘vehicles’ so you do not want a driving licence to use them on private land or public roads. However, if you drive a ‘class 3 invalid carriage’ that can be utilized on the road and has maximum off-road speed of 4mph and on-road speed of 8mph, you should register it with the DVLA.

Do not be concerned, though, you will not be charged road tax for employing it on the road.

For far more detailed information on driving with epilepsy, verify out this leaflet or this flow chart from the Epilepsy Society, or speak to the helpline on 01494 601 400.

And if you’ve any other condition that may influence your driving, verify out my report Are you match to drive?

Driving with epilepsy