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Suffering from epilepsy is challenging, but in many cases it does not need to keep you from achieving your goals or earning an income through driving. At Caddick Davies Solicitors, we understand how important it can be to keep your driving licence, even when you suffer from epilepsy. Whether you need your licence to commute to work, drop children at school, or even earn a living through driving, driving can be a vital tool.

So, can you drive with epilepsy? This is a question we have helped many clients with, exploring the options that can allow you to drive even when you have epilepsy. Since epilepsy and driving is a complex legal area, it would be wise to enlist qualified and experienced motoring law specialists. Caddick Davies Solicitors specialise in motoring law. Our professionals are highly knowledgeable, able to offer reliable advice on how you may be able to maintain your licence and keep driving even with epilepsy.

Driving with epilepsy is possible only if you meet the medical standards that show you are fit to drive. This is when you are free from seizures of any sort and you’re over the 6 months required for a medication change. There are reasons in the UK that could make the DVLA revoke your driving licence due to epilepsy. This would be if you continue to have seizures and the DVLA is informed but you have not surrendered your licence.

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How does the DVLA process work if you’re diagnosed with epilepsy?

Having your licence revoked because of epilepsy does not need to be the end of driving for many motorists. If you are wondering, “can you drive if you have epilepsy?” then the legal team at Caddick Davies Solicitors can inform you on whether is possible to drive when you have epilepsy in your specific circumstance. If your condition improves, you can reapply for a driving licence. If you previously surrendered a driving licence, you might soon be driving again.

This is if you meet the seizure-free period required and your doctor confirms that you are fit to drive. Order and complete the D1 (for Group 1 licence holders) and D2 (for Group 2 licence holders) applications and send them to the DVLA. Once the Medical Panel at DVLA confirms that you meet the medical standards to drive you can start driving again when the DVLA sends you a ‘Section 88 letter’.

For those whose licences got revoked, you will have to wait until you get a new licence from the DVLA, but you might not be required to take a driving test like when getting a new licence. To be able to continue driving as soon as possible after having your licence revoked due to epilepsy, your GP or medical specialist must prove that you are fit to drive and provide information which you send to the DVLA as you send the D1 or D2 application.

So, can you drive with epilepsy? Either the DVLA will determine and tell you, or you can seek the guidance of a motoring solicitor.

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How do I find the right legal help?

The DVLA may refuse your reapplication for your driving licence, a decision you can best challenge with the assistance of reliable motoring solicitors. You can also use solicitors to pursue an appeal after your licence gets revoked.

Contact Caddick Davies for a free initial no-obligation consultation and we will be able to assess your case, weigh various options and give you an honest appraisal. Our expertise and experience allow us to assist you. We can help prove that you are fit to drive by acquiring details from your GP and making written representations or appealing to the Magistrates Court.

Call Caddick Davies Solicitors on 0151 280 3346 or email us via our Contact page and our medical revocation solicitors can advise you further.

Epilepsy Driving Rules

If you have had a seizure, even if you have not officially been diagnosed with epilepsy, you will need to stop driving immediately. However, that does not necessarily mean you will never be able to drive again. Here are the basics on what you need to know as a driver with epilepsy:

If you have a seizure of any kind and at any time, not just while driving, you will need to stop driving and alert the DVLA. This is for your and other road-users safety. There are only two exceptions to this rule and you may continue driving without telling the DVLA if:

  1. You already have a driving licence that was issued with the understanding that you have seizures while you sleep, and the seizure you have just experienced was while you were asleep.
  2. You already have a driving licence that was issued with the understanding that you have seizures that do not affect your consciousness and you have just experienced this type of seizure.

You will need to report your seizure either online or by filling in a form (FEP1) and sending it to the DVLA, they will advise you on when you will be able to drive again.

If you have epilepsy and already hold a licence but your medication is changing you will also need to speak to your doctor about how this might affect your licence.  You won’t need to return your licence if your doctor advises you not to drive for a few months, but you should always follow their advice. Although doctors have a confidentiality agreement with their patients, if they believe you are putting yourself or someone else at risk by driving against their advice then they can report you to the authorities who may revoke your licence.

In order to safely drive with epilepsy you are responsible for making sure the licence you are driving with has been issued with the understanding that you have epilepsy.  A medically restricted licence will only be issued for a few years at a time before it will need to be reviewed.

If you have a seizure you will need to stop driving and inform the DVLA immediately. You should voluntarily surrender your licence by posting your licence to the DVLA with a covering letter explaining why you are surrendering it. If you don’t you run the risk of having your licence revoked.

You will be advised by the DVLA that you will need to stop driving for anywhere between 3-12 months depending on the type of seizure. You will need to be seizure-free over that period in order to be allowed to drive again.

As soon as you meet the requirements set out by the DVLA you will be able to start driving again, even if you don’t have your licence back yet. For this reason, it is always in your best interest to voluntarily surrender your licence.

If your licence has been revoked you will need to reapply for it and you won’t be able to drive until the DVLA has completed their medical enquiries and finished processing your licence.

If you believe that your licence was wrongly revoked you should contact Caddick Davies Solicitors whose medical revocation specialists will be able to advise and guide you.

You could be fined up to £1,000 and have your licence revoked if you continue to drive with seizures. You should also be aware that continuing to drive may put you and others at risk and that your insurance is unlikely to cover you if you are in an accident.

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