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In Great Britain you can usually get a provisional car licence with epilepsy once you have been free of seizures while awake for 12 months. Some seizure patterns have their own rules: a first unprovoked seizure can mean 6 months off driving, and seizures that only happen while asleep, or that never affect consciousness, can be licensed once a stable pattern is established. If you have a new seizure, stop driving and tell the DVLA, unless the DVLA has already accepted that your seizures follow one of these permitted patterns and the new one fits it. A different type of seizure can end that concession, so do not decide for yourself that it is covered.
Seizure-free periods for a car licence in GB
These are the Group 1 (car and motorcycle) rules from GOV.UK, as of November 2026. The DVLA’s medical advisers make the final decision on each case.
| Your situation | When you can be licensed |
|---|---|
| Epilepsy, seizures while awake with loss of consciousness | After at least 12 months with no seizure. |
| First ever unprovoked seizure while awake, with loss of consciousness | After 6 months seizure-free if the DVLA’s medical advisers judge the risk of another to be low. Otherwise after 12 months. |
| Seizures only while asleep | Possibly, once 12 months or more have passed since the first seizure and the pattern is asleep-only. |
| Seizures both asleep and awake in the past | Possibly, if your only seizures in the past 3 years happened while asleep. |
| Seizures that never affect consciousness | Possibly, if you stay fully aware, able to move and in control, the first seizure was 12 months or more ago, and you have never had another type of unprovoked seizure. |
| Provoked seizure (with a clear cause) | In most cases 6 months after the seizure. The DVLA looks at the cause. |
For the asleep-only and awareness rules, GOV.UK says you must stop driving until the DVLA tells you whether you qualify.
Coming off epilepsy medicine
The DVLA guidance says you should not drive while anti-epilepsy medicine is being withdrawn, and for 6 months after the last dose. There is a narrow early-relicensing rule for a seizure that happens within 6 months of, and because of, a change, reduction or withdrawal of medicine that your doctor advised and documented. It does not cover any later seizure after a treatment change. In that case GOV.UK says you can reapply early when all three apply:
- the seizure was more than 6 months ago
- you have been back on your previous medicine for 6 months
- you have had no other seizure in that time
Any change to your treatment is a decision for you and your doctor. These rules only cover what it means for your licence.
Applying for a provisional licence with epilepsy
- Check you meet the seizure-free period in the table above.
- Declare epilepsy on the provisional licence application. That is how a first-time applicant tells the DVLA.
- Expect follow-up. The DVLA may contact your doctor or specialist. GOV.UK names form FEP1 for epilepsy and seizures; licence holders can also report online.
- Wait for the decision letter before driving. If you have never held a licence, you cannot drive as a learner until your provisional licence arrives.
Scenario: a seizure after you have started lessons
You are 17, have had your provisional licence for four months, and have a seizure while awake. You must stop driving straight away, including lessons, and tell the DVLA. Your licence is likely to be taken away, and you reapply when you meet the seizure-free period that applies to you. Let your instructor know you need to pause lessons; you do not have to share medical details beyond that.
Common questions
Do I need to tell the DVLA about a seizure years ago?
Answer the application’s health questions honestly and let the DVLA assess it. If you are unsure how your history fits the rules, ask your doctor or epilepsy nurse.
What about insurance?
Answer any medical questions your insurer asks honestly. Your provisional licence must be valid for the insurance to mean anything.
Do the rules differ in Northern Ireland?
You report to the DVA instead of the DVLA. See the Northern Ireland guide.
Back to the GB medical conditions and disability guide. Related: fitness to drive and telling the DVLA, heart conditions, fainting and stroke, prescription medicines and driving.
Sources
- DVLA, “Neurological disorders: assessing fitness to drive”, updated 7 November 2025 (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Epilepsy and driving” (gov.uk)
- DVLA, “Appendices: assessing fitness to drive”, updated 7 November 2025 (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Medical conditions, disabilities and driving” (gov.uk)