Seizures and Driving
Do you have epilepsy or seizures? [ yes you need to read this
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Introduction
If you have epilepsy or seizures you can hold a learner permit or driver licence for private vehicles as long as your seizures are well controlled. If you believe that you qualify for a learner permit or driver licence you are encouraged to apply.
National medical guidelines have been developed by specialists to assist with the assessment of applications from people with epilepsy or seizures. These guidelines are intended to protect your safety and the safety of the community. Each application is considered individually. It assists when accurate medical information is provided.
Learner permits and driver licences
Are you planning to get your first learner permit or driver licence?
[ yES NO, go to the next question
If you are obtaining your first learner permit or driver licence, and you have epilepsy or seizures, you must notify VicRoads and provide a medical report before a learner permit or a driver licence can be issued. This report can be from your general practitioner or neurologist and must be no more than six months old.
If you do not notify VicRoads that you have epilepsy or seizures when you apply for a learner permit or driver licence, your learner permit or licence could be withdrawn. You can obtain medical clearance before you sit for your learner permit or driver licence test by faxing your medical report to VicRoads Medical Review on (03) 9854 2307 or posting it to PO Box 2504, Kew VIC 3101. If posting, mark it clearly with the words FOR PRIOR APPROVAL. You can also take it to any VicRoads office.
Do you already hold a learner permit or driver licence?
[ yES NO
If you hold a current learner permit or driver licence you are required by law to notify VicRoads if you have or develop any serious or chronic medical condition. This includes epilepsy and seizures.
If you drive with a serious or chronic medical condition without notifying VicRoads, and you are involved in a crash, you could be sued under common law and/or charged with driving offences. In addition, your insurance company may not provide cover.
To retain your licence
You must provide a medical report to VicRoads. This report can be from your general practitioner or neurologist and must be no more than six months old.
If you have a seizure, you must notify VicRoads. You will be required to have a thorough neurological examination and to provide a report from your neurologist.
Medical report forms can be downloaded from www.vicroads.vic.gov.au or contact:
VicRoads Medical Review PO Box 2504
Kew VIC 3101
Telephone: (03) 9854 2407 Fax: (03) 9854 2307
Email: ccslicence@roads.vic.gov.au
Summary of guidelines for seizures
and driving
Below is a summary of the national medical guidelines for seizures and driving. All Australian doctors have a copy of the guidelines. A copy is also kept at the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria. In every case individual circumstances apply and you may wish to discuss these with your doctor.
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Seizure-free periods for drivers of
private vehicles
The period that you must be free from seizures before driving depends on the type of seizure and the circumstances surrounding it.
Circumstances of seizure Seizure-free period
Single seizure on withdrawal of •
medication
3 months following withdrawal* Seizure due to sleep deprivation
•
Generalised epilepsy syndrome •
Seizure following illness or other • health problems 3 months Isolated seizure(s) • Recent diagnosis •
Partial epilepsy syndromes •
6 months*
Any seizure while driving • Temporal lobectomy • 1 year Nocturnal seizures • 1 year seizure
free during normal waking periods Non-compliant patients
•
Chronic epilepsy (not well controlled) •
2 years
* These periods may be reduced on the recommendation of a specialist in the management of epilepsy.
The frequency of periodic reviews may vary depending on your doctor’s medical report.
Driving commercial vehicles
Guidelines for commercial truck, taxi and bus licences are stricter than those for private licences. In many cases, if you have had a seizure, you may not be permitted to drive these vehicles. If you wish to drive a commercial vehicle, you will need to consult your neurologist who can provide VicRoads with a medical report to assist in determining your suitability to drive. A conditional licence may be granted taking into account the opinion of a neurologist, the size and condition of the vehicle, the duties to be performed and the hours to be worked.
Losing or surrendering your licence
If VicRoads suspends or cancels your learner permit or driver licence on medical grounds, or if you voluntarily surrender your learner permit or driver licence, you will not regain it until you provide a satisfactory medical report that meets the guidelines.
Retesting
If you have not held a learner permit or driver licence within the last five years, you will have to sit a knowledge test and driving test to regain it.
Note: A motorcycle learner permit is issued for a period of 15 months, and cannot be extended or renewed. If your motorcycle learner permit has expired by more than 15 months from the date of issue, a learner permit skills and written test will be required.
Refunds
You may receive a partial refund of your driver licence fee if your licence is cancelled due to your seizures or if you decide to surrender it.
Grievance procedures
If you disagree with a decision made by VicRoads you can ask VicRoads to review the matter. You also have the right of appeal in a Magistrates Court against any decision by VicRoads. You should consult a solicitor or registrar of a Magistrates Court.
Warning: This pamphlet is intended to provide basic information about seizures and driving. It is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, medical advice. Readers are warned against changing medical schedules or life activities, on the basis of information contained within this pamphlet, without consulting a doctor.
For further information:
Please visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au Telephone: 13 11 71
VRPIN00143/ 5.09
For further information on seizures and driving contact:
VicRoads Medical Review PO Box 2504 Kew VIC 3101 Telephone: 9853 2307 Fax: (03) 9854 2307 Email: ccslicence@roads.vic.gov.au Website: www.vicroads.gov.au
More information can also be found at:
818 Burke Road Camberwell Victoria 3124 Tel: (03) 9805 9111 Fax: (03) 9882 9175
National Helpline 1300 852 853
Email: epilepsy@epilepsy.asn.au Website: http://www.epinet.org.au
The following information has been prepared by the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria Inc. in consultation with VicRoads.
