Brainwave – The Irish Epilepsy Association – Shedding a light on epilepsy

Do I have to declare my epilepsy when applying for a licence?

Yes. Every person applying for any driving licence is asked on their application if they have epilepsy or have had a history of epilepsy in the past.

Do I need to obtain a medical report?

Yes. A medical report form is required to accompany your application in all instances. This form called D501 can be obtained from your licencing authority, local garda station or from www.rsa.ie It must be completed by your doctor. In respect of certain seizures such as single seizures (provoked and unprovoked), first seizures (provoked and unprovoked) and provoked seizures the new regulations stipulate that a certification by a specialist (consultant neurologist) is required.

You must submit the licence application within one month of having the medical report completed.

Under the new regulations you will be subject to annual licence review until you are 5 years seizure free and will not be eligible for unconditional licencing.

GROUP 1: Cars, Light Vans and Motor Cycles

• If you are seizure free for at least 1 year (even if still on medication) or if you meet the further criteria for single seizures, provoked seizures, sleep seizures and seizures without loss of consciousness or function you may be granted a licence in Group 1 categories A, A1, B, EB, M and W (cars, light vans and motor cycles).

If you are newly diagnosed with epilepsy

• If you are a licence holder and develop epilepsy you must stop driving immediately. Following a diagnosis of epilepsy it would be illegal, irresponsible and potentially dangerous to continue to drive.

If you are not yet diagnosed

• If you have not received confirmation of a diagnosis of epilepsy but are under investigation for seizures your consultant neurologist will be in a position to advise you in accordance with the new regulations.

GROUP 2: Lorries , Buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles

• For Group 2 licencing C1, C, D1, D EC1, ED1 and ED (lorries, buses and heavy goods vehicles) you may be eligible to apply to be licenced in these categories if you are 10 years seizure free without the aid of medication. In the case of single /unprovoked seizures a person may be certified to drive after 5 years seizure freedom without the aid of medication. Persons with recognized good prognostic indicators may be eligible to be licenced sooner.
• In cases of provoked seizures persons maybe declared eligible to drive on an individual basis subject to neurological opinion..
• Group 2 licences will be subject to very strict specialist medical checks in all cases where seizures may be a factor.