Epilepsy and driving is a personal and public safety issue. A person with a seizure disorder that causes lapses in consciousness may put themselves and the public at risk if a seizure occurs while they are operating a motor vehicle. Not only can a seizure itself cause a car wreck, but anticonvulsants often have side effects that include drowsiness. People with epilepsy are more likely to be involved in a traffic collision than people who do not have the condition, although reports range from minimally more likely to up to seven times more likely.
It is for this reason that most people diagnosed with epilepsy are prohibited or restricted by their local laws from operating vehicles. However, some places have exceptions built into their laws for those who can prove that they have stabilized their condition. Individuals who may be exempt from such restrictions or may have fewer restrictions include those who had seizures as a result of a medical condition that has been cured, from a physician's experimental medication change that failed, as an isolated incident, whose seizures occur only while asleep, or who may be able to predict their seizures in order to ensure that they do not lose consciousness behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.
The first seizure-related automobile crash occurred at the turn of the 19th century. Since then, laws have been enacted all over the world regarding driving for people with epilepsy. There is an ongoing debate in bioethics over who should bear the burden of ensuring that a person with epilepsy does not drive a car or fly an aircraft.
Laws Some countries prohibit people who have ever had a seizure from driving. In these countries, it is common for people with epilepsy to hide their condition from authorities in order not to be denied a driver's license. Other places allow those who have had seizures to drive after a seizure-free period, which ranges from six months to a year. EU (European Union) harmonisation of periods of freedom from seizure means the periods shown below for EU states is wrong - now 6 months for an isolated seizure, 12 months for a second or more seizures within 5 years, whether or not antiepileptic drugs are taken. For drivers of heavy lorries and buses the seizure-free period is five years without drugs.
Epilepsy driving laws by country
CountryLawPhysician required to reportSeizure-free periodAndorra2 yearsArgentinaThere are no specific laws prohibiting people with epilepsy from driving. Patients generally rely on advice from their physicians.NoAustraliaPatients must be seizure-free for 3–6 months for recently diagnosed seizures, and for two years for chronic epilepsy.http://www.epilepsyassociation.com.au/info/lifestyle/driving.html . Exact laws vary by state or territory.3 months to 2 yearsAustriaThe most common seizure-free period required is 2 years, but in some cases, this can be extended to 3. Insurance companies are not required to make liability payments in accidents caused by seizures.2–3 yearsBelgiumSeizure-free period required depends on the type of seizure.1–2 yearsBermuda1 yearBrazil1 yearBulgariaThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.CanadaExact laws may vary by province/territory. See Canada below.1 yearCentral African RepublicThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.ChinaThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.Croatia2 yearsCyprus1 yearCzech Republic Physician may set additional more restrictions (like no night driving), for professional drivers seizure-free period is 10 years Yes1 yearDenmarkThe national health board is involved in epilepsy cases in determining exact length of disqualification, which is usually 2 years. Physician input is recommended.2 yearsEgypt2 yearsEstoniaRequired seizure-free period of one year for cars and motorcycles and of five years for trucks and buseshttps://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/104012011006 §4.1.91–5 yearsFranceRequired seizure-free period is 2 years, but this may be reduced at the advice of a physician.2 yearsGermanyIn heavy cases the period of time is 2 years. Patients with seizures that do not involve motor activity are not disqualified from driving.No1 yearGhanaThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.Greece2 yearsIceland2 yearsIndiaThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving. This law was passed in 1939.IranIn general, Those who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving and shall not be licensed to drive. This law was passed in 2005.1 yearIrelandIn general, requires driver be seizure-free for one year. Exceptions are given for those with nocturnal seizures, change of medication, non-epileptic seizures, single seizures, or seizures in which consciousness is not lost.1 yearIsraelPublic vehicle (Bus): Never; Public vehicle (Taxi): 10 years seizure-free on medications or 5 years seizure-free unmedicated; Private Vehicle: 1 year seizure-free or 3 years of sleep-seizures onlyYes1 yearItalyEach case is assessed by the regional board.2 yearsJapanJapan in the past had some of the world's strictest laws pertaining to epilepsy and driving, requiring all patients to be seizure-free for up to five years before being issued a license. This changed in 2002, and Japan now allows those who have been seizure-free for 2 years to drive. Patients must be officially "cured". Physicians are required to report patients who drive.Yes2 yearsLuxembourg2 yearsMalaysia2 yearsMalta1 yearMexicovaries by stateNetherlands1 yearNew ZealandDefault seizure-free period is 12 months for drivers of private light motor vehicles and motorbikes, although may be reduced to 6 months by NZ Transport Agency on advice from a physician. Drivers driving class 1 vehicles (cars and light trucks) for work must be seizure-free for 5 years if not using medication. People with nocturnal epilepsy may drive if they have had no seizures while awake in the last 12 months. People with epilepsy cannot hold a heavy vehicle licence (Classes 2, 3, 4, 5), or commercial passenger (P), vehicle recovery (V), driving instructor (I) or testing officer (O) endorsements. Yes 1 yearNorway2-year period may only be reduced in exceptional cases.Yes2 yearsPakistanThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.PolandYes2 yearsPortugal2 yearsRomania1 yearRwandaThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.Saudi Arabia1 yearSenegal1 yearSingaporeThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.Slovenia1 yearSouth Africa2 yearsSpain1 yearSwedenMust be seizure-free for five years before being allowed to drive professionally.Yes1 yearsSwitzerland1 yearTaiwanThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.TurkeyThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving. Many patients do in violation of this law.United KingdomIt is the responsibility of the patients to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they have epilepsy.UK Epilepsy Action: Driving and Epilepsy, I've had a seizure. What should I do? The DVLA rules are quite complex,UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Guide to the Current Medical Standards Of Fitness to Drive . Full details for doctors regarding epilepsy are given in the Appendix . Information for drivers can be found in Medical Rules - Group 1 Licence Holders but in summary,UK Epilepsy Action: booklet with further details about driving PDF those continuing to have seizures or who are within 6 months of medication change may have their licence revoked, if the Secretary of State's advisory panel feels that that particular licence holder's epilepsy makes him or her unfit to drive. A doctor who becomes aware that a patient with uncontrolled epilepsy is continuing to drive has, after reminding the patient of their responsibility, a duty to break confidentiality and inform the DVLA. The doctor should advise the patient of the disclosure and the reasons why their failure to notify the agency obliged the doctor to act.Yes1 yearUnited StatesLaws vary by state. See United States below.varies by stateUruguay1 yearUzbekistanThose who have ever had a seizure are prohibited from driving.
United States In the U.S., people with epilepsy can drive if their seizures are controlled with medication or other treatment and they meet the licensing requirements in their state. How long they have to be free of seizures varies in different states, but it is most likely to be between six months to a year.Epilepsy Foundation Driving and You - Can you drive an automobile if you have epilepsy? .Epilepsy Foundation Driver Information by State In 44 of the 50 states, the burden is placed on patients to report their condition to appropriate licensing authorities so that their privileges can be revoked where appropriate. Six states place the burden of reporting on the patient's physician. After reporting is carried out, it is usually the driver's licensing agency that decides to revoke or restrict a driver's license.
Restrictions on operating a commercial vehicle are often stricter than those for a private automobile. Federal law in the United States prohibits people with epilepsy from operating a commercial vehicle across state lines, even if seizures are controlled.
Studies have shown that in states where drivers are required to report their own condition, about 1/3 of licensed drivers comply with this law. The most recent trend adopted by many states allows those who have been seizure-free for 90 days to drive. This leniency has been passed with the hope that drivers will be more willing to report their health conditions. Laws by state