Obtaining your license after a seizure

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Published on June 21, 2021 | 7 min read

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A seizure may cause an individual to lose control over their bodily functions — or even become unconscious. If such an event happens while someone is behind the wheel, the result could be catastrophic. DMVs in many states may suspend a driver’s license if a driver is diagnosed with epilepsy or suffers from seizures. The restrictions are for the driver’s safety — and for those who share the road with them.

Being diagnosed with epilepsy or seizures can make getting a license or maintaining driving privileges a challenge, but it is possible for the two to coexist. This guide explains how.

What are the driving risks?

The biggest driving risk if you have been diagnosed with epilepsy or other types of disorders causing seizures is that you may have a seizure while driving. If you are on the road, losing control could lead to a severe accident, potentially causing property damage or injuring pedestrians, other drivers and yourself. A classic study of nearly 17,000 respondents found that those who suffer from epilepsy or seizures are no more likely to cause an accident than an average driver. However, should an accident occur, the risk of severe injury or damage is 40% greater.

Medication could also contribute to increasing the risk of a serious accident. As with many types of prescription medication, operating machinery and vehicles is typically not advised. Seizure medication has side effects that can affect a person’s ability to drive safely and defensively. Some of the most common side effects (especially in the beginning) of anti-seizure medications that could impair driving include drowsiness, blurry vision and dizziness.

In addition, driving too soon after experiencing seizures could potentially flag a driver as risky with insurance companies. Drivers who appear reckless or more comfortable with risky behavior are considered more likely to cause an accident.

Driving safely with epilepsy

Living with epilepsy does not mean a person can no longer drive. Just like it is possible to live a normal life despite being prone to seizures, it is possible to drive if you make adjustments and know how to manage the condition safely. Some ways to drive safely with epilepsy include:

Report the condition to the DMV: Each state has its own guidelines for drivers with epilepsy. Reporting your condition to the DMV alerts them and provides you with information about potential restrictions.
Work closely with your doctor: Your doctor will help you manage the condition and, in many states, be your representative if you are seeking reinstatement of your license.
Take your anti-seizure medication: Anti-seizure prescriptions can help reduce how often you get seizures and their severity.
Avoid triggers: Driving while you are stressed or tired could increase the chances of a seizure. In other cases, flashing lights could cause one, so you may want to do more of your driving during the day.
Avoid driving during certain circumstances: Driving at high speeds or during times of day when the sun may affect your vision should be avoided to prevent the risk of a seizure.
Maintain auto insurance: Car insurance coverage may be more important than ever. Consider upgrading to full coverage car insurance that will pay for damage you cause if you are at fault in an accident.

Auto insurance and epilepsy

Making sure you have a current car insurance policy is critical. Carriers generally cannot drop you because you have seizures. However, if your license was suspended or restricted by the DMV, you may not be able to insure your vehicle. Contact your carrier and notify them of your condition to make sure you are covered.

The best insurance companies offer add-ons that expand your car insurance. Epileptic drivers should consider full coverage car insurance and raising coverage limits where possible to account for the possibility of costlier accidents. Lowering your insurance deductibles may also be helpful if you worry about the higher risk of accidents — it will be far easier to pay a $500 deductible over $1,000. Keep in mind that lower deductibles mean higher premiums, so look at your financial situation to decide which works best for you.

License restrictions

Drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders typically face restrictions from the DMV. Each state has its own regulations and limits for drivers who have recently experienced a seizure, with varying levels of restrictions. Even if you do not report your seizures to the DMV, they may find out — in some states, doctors and hospitals are often required to report people who experience a seizure while in their care.

Depending on the circumstances, a state’s DMV typically has guidelines in place for drivers who have recently had seizures. They may:

Temporarily suspend your driver’s license for three to six months, on average.
Require you to periodically report to a doctor to monitor your recovery.
Review the case through a Medical Advisory or Medical Review Board after a set period.
Ask for a recommendation letter from your doctor before allowing you to drive again.
Possibly require a written, driving or vision test (depending on the circumstances and severity of the seizures) before reinstating your driver’s license.

These guidelines are in place because states essentially want to make sure a driver with epilepsy does not suffer from frequent seizures, which could lead to a serious crash and/or injuring others while behind the wheel.

State by state laws

States have varying laws regarding drivers who suffer from seizures. Epilepsy.com publishes information based on each state’s regulations.

State	DMV Appeal of License Denial	Doctors to Report Epilepsy	Periodic Medical Updates Required After Licensing	Seizure-Free Period
AL	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Review Board	6 months, with doctor’s statement
AK	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	6 months
AZ	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	3 months, with exceptions
AK	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	1 year, with exceptions
CA	Yes	Yes	At discretion of DMV	3 to 6 months, with exceptions
CO	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set period
CT	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set period
DE	Yes	Yes	Annually	No set period
DC	Yes	No	Annually until 5 years seizure-free	1 year
FL	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Review Board	6 months, with doctor’s statement
GA	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Review Board	6 months, with doctor’s statement
HI	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	6 months, with exceptions
ID	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set seizure-free period
IL	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set seizure-free period
IN	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set seizure-free period
IA	Yes	No	After the first 6 months and again at renewal	6 months, with doctor’s statement
KS	Yes	No	Annually until 3 seizure-free years	6 months, with exceptions
KY	Yes	No	On renewal	3 months or longer
LA	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set seizure-free period with doctor’s recommendation
ME	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	3 months or 2 years, depending on the medical prognosis
MD	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	3 months, with exceptions
MA	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	6 months, with exceptions
MI	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	6 months, with exceptions
MN	Yes	No	Every 6 months or less, depending on circumstances	3 months, with doctor’s statement
MS	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Review Board	6 months
MO	No	No	At discretion of DMV	6 months, with doctor’s recommendation
MT	Yes	No	At discretion of DMV	No set seizure-free period with doctor recommendation
NE	Yes	No	No	No set seizure-free period
NV	Yes	Yes	Annually for 3 years	3 months, with exceptions
NH	Yes	No	No	1 year or less at the discretion of the DMV
NJ	Yes	Yes	Every six months the first two years, then annually	6 months
NM	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	6 months
NY	Yes	No	At the discretion of the DMV	1 year or less at the discretion of the DMV
NC	Yes	No	At the discretion of the DMV	6 months
ND	Yes	No	Annually for the first 3 years or longer	6 months, restricted license after 3 months
OH	Yes	No	At the discretion of the DMV	No set seizure-free period
OK	Yes	No	At the discretion of Department of Public Safety	6 months, with exceptions
OR	Yes	Yes	At the discretion of the DMV	3 months or longer
PA	Yes	Yes	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	6 months, with exceptions
RI	Yes	No	At the discretion of the DMV	18 months although less at DMV’s discretion
SC	Yes	No	At 6 months, then each year for 3 years	6 months
SD	Yes	No	Every 6 months until 1 year without seizures	6 – 12 months, less is possible with doctor’s recommendation
TN	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Review Board	6 -12 months, with exceptions
TX	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	3 months, with exceptions
UT	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	3 months, with exceptions
VT	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	No set seizure-free period
VA	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	6 months, with exceptions
WA	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	6 months, with exceptions
WV	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	6 months
WI	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	3 months, with doctor’s recommendation
WY	Yes	No	At discretion of Medical Advisory Board	No set seizure-free period

What the experts say

Dr. Jacqueline French, Chief Medical & Innovation Officer of the Epilepsy Foundation

“Laws are written to protect public safety and to grant the privilege of driving to people who are the least likely to have an accident.” Seizures can affect someone’s driving privileges temporarily, but with proper medical care, a driver may be safely back on the road after they can prove they have not experienced seizures over several months to a few years.

Dr. French reminds those with epilepsy that “The DMV, not the doctor, makes the decision on driving in most states.” Even if your doctor feels you are fit to drive, they can only make a recommendation for the Department of Motor Vehicles to review and rule on. If you are diagnosed with epilepsy or another condition that may increase the chance of seizures, notify your state’s DMV, continue medical treatment and work on a plan with your doctor or healthcare provider to get back safely on the road.