driving
Driving regulaons and travel costs
I’ve had a seizure – what do I do?
when can I drive again?
seizures where you may be able to
drive (permitted)
stopping medication
changing medication
how do I apply for my new licence?
car insurance
taxi drivers
learning to drive
driving abroad
where you don’t need a licence
help with travel costs
other travel benefits
other organisations
This symbol means further informaon
is available.
You can nd any further updates at
epilepsysociety.org.uk/driving
Call us for a large print version
Epilepsy Society is grateful to the DVLA
for guidance on this leaet.
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Condenal, naonal call rate.
Informaon and emoonal support.
01494 601 400
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driving regulations and
travel costs
For people who drive, one immediate eect
of having a seizure is that they have to stop
driving. This is true for all types of seizure, and
whether the person has a diagnosis of epilepsy
or not. For many people this can have a big
impact on their life, and be dicult and
upseng. This leaet explains the driving
regulaons for people with epilepsy in the
United Kingdom. It also
explains what help is
available with travel costs.
The driving agencies license cars and drivers
for driving on public roads. In England,
Scotland, and Wales it is the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA). In Northern Ireland it
is the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). If you
have a driving licence, by law it is your duty to
tell the driving agency about any medical
condion that may aect your ability to drive,
including epilepsy. This is a condion of
holding a driving licence.
See page 19 for DVLA and DVA contact details
Medical standards of tness to drive
Epilepc seizures are specically included in
the Road Trac Act 1988. This means that if
you have one or more seizures, by law you
must meet certain medical standards in order
to have a driving licence.
The DVLA’s ‘Assessing tness to drive’ sets out
the medical standards for driving, advised by
expert medical panels, and based on UK and
European legislaon.
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Only the driving agencies are able to decide
whether or not someone meets the standards
to drive.
The driving regulaons cover all epilepc
seizures, including seizures where you are
conscious, myoclonic seizures and seizures
where you lose consciousness.
These regulaons apply even if you have had
only one seizure, whether you have a diagnosis
of epilepsy or not, and whether you are taking
an-epilepc drugs (AEDs) or not.
If you are not sure how these regulaons apply
to you, please contact the driving agency. You
can download the DVLA factsheet for people
with epilepsy (INS9) from the DVLA website.
See page 19 for contact details.
I’ve had a seizure – what
do I do?
If you have a driving licence and have a
seizure of any kind, in most cases you must
stop driving* and tell the driving agency.
You are responsible for telling the driving
agency and returning your licence to them
(see page 6).
*If you already have an established paern
of certain types of seizure you may be able
to connue to drive (see page 10).
If you have had a seizure, you also need to tell
your insurance company as part of your
insurance terms and condions. If you don’t tell
them, this could invalidate your insurance and
may aect your insurance in the future.
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Why do I have to stop driving and tell the
driving agency?
It is important to stop driving and tell the
driving agency because:
• there is a risk that you might have a seizure
while driving;
• your licence will not be valid and driving
without a valid licence is a criminal oence;
• you could be ned up to £1000; and
• your car insurance will not be valid.
Can my doctor tell the driving agency?
If you have a seizure, it is your responsibility to
tell the driving agency.
Guidelines from the General Medical Council
(which registers doctors in the UK) tell doctors
to explain that it is your legal duty to tell the
driving agency, and that they will write this in
your medical records.
If you connue to drive, they can break
condenality and tell the driving agency,
due to the connued risk to you and to other
members of the public. They should tell you if
they are going to do this.
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How do I tell the DVLA?
There are three ways to tell the DVLA:
• If you have a Group 1 licence (cars and
motorcycles), ll in the ‘Declaraon of
surrender for medical reasons’ and send it to
the DVLA along with your licence. If you have a
Group 2 licence (buses, coaches, and lorries)
you also need to ll in form VOC99. It may help
to keep a copy of your licence or take a note of
the licence number for when you reapply for
your new licence.
• You can complete an FEP1 form (FEP1V for
Group 2 licences). If you do this, the driving
agency will carry out medical enquiries and
may take away your licence (revoke it).
They will send you a leer telling you their
decision and when you can reapply for a new
licence. If you disagree with their decision, you
can appeal (see page 14).
• You can complete the online form at
gov.uk/epilepsy-and-driving. However, this will
be treated the same way as the FEP1 form and
your licence may be revoked (see above).
The
online form is not currently available for
Group 2
licences or isolated seizures (see page 8).
You can download the DVLA forms at gov.uk
below, or you can call them for a copy.
Visit gov.uk/driving-medical-condions
How do I tell the DVA (in Northern Ireland)?
In Northern Ireland you can surrender your
licence by sending a leer to the DVA
explaining why you are surrendering your
licence, along with both parts of your licence.
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If you do not wish to surrender your licence,
you can let the DVA know by phone or email.
They will then send a medical quesonnaire
for you to complete.
See page 19 for contact details.
The benet of surrendering your licence
If you surrender your licence, you may be able
to start driving again as soon as your doctor
conrms that you meet the medical standards
to drive, and the driving agency conrms that it
has received your applicaon.
If your licence is revoked, you will not be able
to drive unl the driving agency issues your
new licence and you have received it.
Visit gov.uk/reapply-driving-licence
when can I drive again?
When you can drive depends on the type of
seizures you have now, the type of seizures
you have had previously, and the type of
licence you have (see pages 8 – 12).
See our factsheet driving regulaons –
quick guide, or use our interacve guide at
epilepsysociety.org.uk/driving-and-epilepsy-
interacve-guide
You must also meet all normal driving
requirements and these two condions:
• You must follow your doctor’s advice about
your treatment and check ups.
• The driving agency must be sased that you
are not likely to have any more seizures.
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Provoked seizures
If someone with no history of seizures or
previous brain disease has a seizure caused by
something that is unlikely to happen again, this
may be a ‘provoked seizure’. The driving agency
must agree with your doctor that the seizure
was provoked.
The driving agencies will look at provoked
seizures on an individual basis but usually you
will have to stop driving for six months for a
Group 1 licence and up to ve years for Group 2
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Seizures caused by sleep deprivaon are not
usually considered provoked.
First and single (isolated) seizure
This is a rst and single seizure that is not
provoked (see above) in a person who has not
had any other unprovoked seizures during the
past ve years.
It includes where someone has had more than
one seizure if they all occurred within a 24
hour period.
Group 1 licence: You may be allowed to start
driving again aer six months if you have had no
further seizures and there are no clinical factors
(such as a scar on the brain) or results from
tests (such as an EEG) which suggest an
increased risk of you having another seizure.
Group 2 licence: You may be allowed to start
driving again aer ve years if you have seen
a specialist and there are no clinical factors
(such as a scar on the brain) or results from
tests (such as an EEG) which suggest a high risk
of you having another seizure.
You must not
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have been prescribed an-epilepc
drugs during
the ve years before applying for a new licence.
Awake seizures
These are seizures that start when you are
awake. These are the regulaons if your seizures
aect your consciousness or ability to act:
• Group 1 licence. To drive, you must meet
all normal driving requirements and must
have been completely free of seizures for one
year, with or without taking AEDs. Dierent
regulaons may apply if your seizures do not
aect your consciousness (see page 10).
• Group 2 licence. You must meet all normal
driving requirements and must have been
seizure-free, without AEDs, for the last 10 years.
Asleep seizures
Asleep seizures (somemes called ‘nocturnal
seizures’) are seizures that happen as you are
falling asleep, while you are asleep, or as you
are waking up. The term ‘asleep seizure’ might
also apply if you have a seizure in your sleep
during the day, if sleeping during the day is
part of your normal roune (for example,
if you do shi work).
If you have had asleep seizures and are then
seizure-free for one year, you can apply for a
Group 1 licence, as you can for ‘awake
seizures’ (see above).
If you connue to have only asleep seizures,
you may be eligible to apply for a new Group 1
licence aer one year, depending on the
paern of your seizures (see page 10).
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seizures where you may be
able to drive (permitted)
The following are types of seizures where
you can drive under a Group 1 licence.
The DVLA form (INS9) has more details
about permied seizures.
Awake seizures that do not aect
consciousness or the ability to act
For some types of awake seizure, you may be
able to drive under a new Group 1 licence aer
one year even if you are sll having seizures.
This is only if all of the following apply to you:
• You stay fully conscious during your seizures.
• Your seizures do not stop you doing anything
(aect your ability to act).
• You have only ever had this type of seizure
and have never had a seizure that aects your
consciousness or ability to act.
If you have or have ever had a seizure which
aects your consciousness or ability to act,
such as where you are confused or unable to
remember what
happens, these standards will
not apply to you.
Asleep seizures (see page 9) with no history
of seizures when awake
If you have only ever had asleep seizures
(and have never had an awake seizure), once
this paern of only asleep seizures has been
seen for one year, you can apply for a Group 1
licence, even if you sll have these seizures.
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If you then have an awake seizure, you will
need to stop driving and tell the driving agency.
Asleep seizures (see page 9) with a history of
awake seizures
If you have had only asleep seizures over a
period of three years since your last awake
seizure, you can apply for a Group 1 licence,
even if you sll have asleep seizures.
It is important that this paern of only asleep
seizures is seen over at least three years,
starng from the rst asleep seizure you have
had since your last awake seizure.
stopping medication
If you are seizure-free and stop taking your
an-epilepc drugs (AEDs), there is a risk that
your seizures will start again. If you, with your
doctor, decide to stop taking (withdraw) your
AEDs, your doctor is likely to advise you to stop
driving while you are withdrawing and for six
months aer you have stopped your AEDs.
Although this is not ‘the law’ it is strongly
recommended by the DVLA. If you drive
against your doctor’s advice, you will be
driving illegally.
If you have a seizure aer withdrawing your
AEDs, you will need to stop driving and tell the
driving agency. If you go back onto the same
medicaon at the same dose as you were on
before, and are seizure-free and on this
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medicaon for six months, you can apply for
a new licence. This only applies if you
withdraw
your AEDs under medical supervision.
changing medication
If you are changing from one medicaon to
another, your doctor will advise you if you
need to stop driving.
However, if you have a seizure you will need to
stop driving and tell the driving agency. If you
go back onto the same medicaon and
dose as
you were on before, and are seizure-free
on this
medicaon for six months, you can apply for a
new licence.
An excepon to the above is if you have
‘permied seizures’ (see page 10). You will
sll need to tell the driving agency about the
seizure but you may be allowed to carry on
driving, depending on the type of seizures
you have had previously.
how do I apply for my new
licence?
Once you meet the medical standards to drive,
you can apply to the DVLA for either a new, or
a rst, licence.
For a Group 1 licence you will need to ll in a
D1 and FEP1 applicaon form. For a Group 2
licence you need D2 and FEP1V forms and, if
you are aged 45 to 65, you will also need a D4
form and you will need to pay a doctor to
complete this.
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The FEP1 form asks for your permission for the
DVLA to contact your doctor if they need any
further informaon.
See the GOV.UK website or contact the DVLA
to order a D1, D2, or D2/D4 pack which have
all the forms you need. D1 packs are also
available from post oces.
In Northern Ireland, contact the DVA for a DL1
form. Once they receive this from you, they
may send you a medical quesonnaire.
If possible, the driving agency will decide
whether you can have a driving licence based
on the informaon you provide in these forms.
As the process of issuing a licence can take
me, you can apply for your licence up to eight
weeks before you would normally be eligible
to drive.
You will not usually need to take your driving
test again.
What sort of licence will I get?
When you get your Group 1 licence it will
usually be a medical licence, valid for between
one and ve years. If you are then seizure-free
for ve years, you may be given a licence
which is valid unl you are 70.
Under certain circumstances a full licence may
be issued without rst having a one to ve year
licence. Once the driving agency conrms that
you can have a driving licence, you can drive
any vehicle that your licence covers.
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What if my licence is revoked or refused?
If the driving agency revokes your licence or
refuses your applicaon for a new licence, you
can write to the DVLA to ask them to
reconsider, but you must have new
informaon
that was not in the original applicaon.
Alternavely, you can appeal against the
decision. You need to make your appeal in
wring. In England and Wales, this needs to be
at a magistrates’ court within six months of the
DVLA’s decision, and in Scotland, within 21
days at a Sheri’s Court. You must also tell the
DVLA, in wring, that you are going to appeal.
In Northern Ireland, an appeal must be lodged
with the appropriate Clerk of Pey Sessions
within three months of the date of the issue
of the refusal/revocaon leer to you. You
must also tell the DVA, in wring, that you are
going to appeal.
It is important to get advice before deciding
to appeal. If you don’t win, you may have to
pay the driving agency’s costs.
car insurance
Insurance companies can ask quesons or for
more informaon about medical condions to
assess your applicaon.
They may ask to see your driving licence or a
leer from the driving agency conrming that
you are allowed to drive.
Under the Equality Act 2010, insurance
companies cannot increase the cost of a policy
if a medical condion does not aect the risk
of making a claim.
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Insurance companies cannot use the fact that
you have a medical licence as a reason for
increasing the premium, or changing or
refusing a policy. If the company increases
your premium, they must be able to tell you
why. This should mean that each applicaon is
considered fairly.
Visit equalityhumanrights.com for more
about the Equality Act.
It may be worth contacng several companies
to get the best quote for you. If you have any
problems with insurance, you can contact the
Financial Ombudsman Service (see page 19 for
contact details).
If you have not been driving for two years,
this may aect any no-claims discount you
had before.
taxi drivers
Local authories set their own standards
for taxi drivers, and some use the DVLA
regulaons for Group 2 licences for driving
a taxi.
Contact your local council for details.
learning to drive
If you have epilepsy and want to learn to drive,
you need to meet the medical standards for
the type of seizures you have (see pages 8 – 12)
.
You will need to tell the driving agency about
your epilepsy and you will also need to ll in a
regular applicaon form.
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driving abroad
To drive abroad, you must meet the medical
standards for driving for the country you visit.
If you are coming to the UK and need to apply,
or reapply, for a UK licence, then the
regulaons in this leaet will apply to you.
where you don’t need
a licence
Forkli trucks, farm vehicles, and sit-on
lawn mowers on private land
The DVLA medical standards cover vehicles
that are driven on public highways, not vehicles
that are used on private land.
A driving licence is not needed for the
following vehicles as long as they are only
being driven on private land and not on public
roads: forkli trucks, farm vehicles (such as
tractors and quad bikes), and sit-on lawn mowers.
Employers need to consider health and safety
regulaons if someone drives these vehicles
on private land as part of their job.
The Health and Safety Execuve (HSE) advises
on driving standards for these vehicles that are
similar to Group 1 and 2 standards, depending
on their size and weight. If these vehicles are
driven on public highways, a driving licence
would be needed.
Visit hse.gov.uk for more informaon.
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Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters
There are two ‘classes’ of electric wheelchairs
and mobility scooters. Class 2 can’t be used on
the road, but Class 3 can. You don’t need to
have a licence for either class, but you need to
register and tax Class 3 as it can be used on the
road (although you won’t have to pay for this).
Your doctor may be able to advise whether
these wheelchairs or scooters are suitable and
safe for you to use.
help with travel costs
If you have epilepsy and are sll having seizures,
you may be entled to free, or discounted,
travel on buses, coaches, trams, tubes,
or trains. This is usually because you would
be refused a driving licence if you applied.
You will usually need some proof that you are
eligible for the discount. This proof may vary
depending on where you live and the type
of transport. It might include a leer from the
driving agency conrming that you are not
able to drive, a copy of your prescripon for
an-epilepc drugs, or proof that you are
receiving certain welfare benets. You can
contact each travel company to nd out
more about your eligibility.
You may be able to use community transport
schemes, such as Dial-a-Ride, for people who
have diculty using public transport.
Visit gov.uk/community-transport-services-
shopmobility
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The NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
provides nancial help for people on certain
benets, or on a low income, to get to some
medical appointments.
If you are unable to use public transport
due to your epilepsy, you may be able to
get nancial help with the cost of geng to
and from work through the government’s
Access to Work scheme.
For more informaon about help with travel
costs see
our factsheet what help is available?
other travel benefits
If you qualify for certain benets based on
your mobility, you may be entled to:
• a Blue Badge parking permit (that can be used
by another driver when you are a passenger),
which also entles you to register for a full
discount on the London congeson charge; and
• free road tax for a car registered in your name,
or for a car which someone drives for you
specically, with you as a passenger.
Visit gov.uk
further information
Epilepsy Society informaon
Driving regulaons – quick guide (or ‘driving
and epilepsy – interacve guide’ online)
What help is available?
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other organisations
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
General enquiries: 0300 790 6801
Drivers’ medical enquiries: 0300 790 6806
gov.uk/driving-medical-condions
Driving agency in Great Britain.
Informaon on driving standards.
Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA)
Drivers’ medical enquiries: 0300 200 7861
nidirect.gov.uk/motoring
dva@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Drivers’ Medical Secon, DVA, Castlerock
Road, Waterside, Coleraine, BT51 3TB
Driving agency in Northern Ireland.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Equality Advisory and Support Service
advice line: 0808 800 0082
equalityhumanrights.com
Informaon on disability discriminaon.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Consumer helpline: 0800 023 4567
nancial-ombudsman.org.uk
Guidance about problems with insurance.
Every eort is made to ensure that all informaon is correct
at the me of prinng. Please note that informaon is
intended for a UK audience. This informaon is not a
substute for advice from your own doctors. Epilepsy Society
is not responsible for any acons taken as a result of using
this informaon.
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