Driving and epilepsy

If you have seizures that alter your awareness, consciousness, or muscle control, you may not have the legal right to drive.

• Laws vary from state to state, but in most cases you have to be seizure-free for at least 6 months to 1 year before getting a driver's license. Arizona recently reduced the seizure-free interval to 3 months with no increase in the number of related accidents.¹
• The laws of the state you live in, not your doctor, decide whether or not you have the right to drive. You can find out about the law in your state by visiting the Epilepsy Foundation Web site at www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/drivinglaws.cfm.
• Before getting a license, you may have to provide proof from your doctor that you are receiving treatment and that the treatment has brought your seizures under control. (Remember, too, that some drugs used to control epilepsy may make you drowsy. If you have just started a new drug, avoid driving until you know how the drug will affect you.)

In general, the risk of having a seizure-related traffic accident is greatly reduced in people who have been seizure-free for 1 year. Driving may be safe before 1 year for some people. People who always have an aura before a seizure begins are also at reduced risk. The aura acts as a warning, which may give a driver time to pull over before the seizure begins. Auras are considered seizures, though, and may fall under the same guidelines for restricting driving privileges in your state.

Not taking antiepileptic medication as prescribed (missing a dose, for instance) increases the risk of having an accident, so it is especially important to take medication correctly, especially if you drive.

The laws about who can drive may seem unfair. Not having the legal right to drive may rob you of your sense of independence. It can limit your school and career choices, affect your social and leisure activities, and make basic needs of daily living harder to meet.

But the laws can also keep you and others safe until your seizures are under control. If you have a seizure while driving a car without a license and cause an accident, your insurance company may not cover damages or injuries. Worse, you may hurt or kill yourself or others.

You cannot predict when seizures will occur. Do not put yourself and others on the road at risk by driving without the legal right to do so.

Citations

1. Drazkowski JF, et al. (2003). Seizure-related motor vehicle crashes in Arizona before and after reducing the driving restrictions from 12 to 3 months. Mayo Clinical Proceedings, 78(7): 819–825.