Most states have regulations that restrict driving privileges for people with epilepsy. Many states do not allow people with epilepsy to drive for a certain period of time (ranging from months to years) after they have had a seizure. A physician’s approval may be necessary before a person with epilepsy can drive again following a seizure.

The amount of time it takes to fully recover from a seizure varies from person to person. However, in most cases, the longer the person waits to drive again after the seizure, the less likely they are to have an accident. One study found that people with epilepsy are over 90 percent less likely to have a seizure-related accident if they wait at least one year after their last seizure before driving again, compared to people who start driving sooner, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Additionally, driving may be hazardous for people who are starting a new course of medication. Therefore, driving should be avoided until the full effects of the medication (e.g. side effects, how well it controls seizures) are known.

Exceptions may be made for people who only have seizures in their sleep, who have seizures that do not impair consciousness, or who have reliable warning signs (auras) of ample length that allow them to avoid driving when a seizure is likely to occur.

People with epilepsy are encouraged to be honest when informing their state department of motor vehicles about their incidence of seizures. The risk of having an accident during a seizure must be weighed against an individual’s desire to drive. Because of the public safety issue involved, some states require physicians to report patients with epilepsy to the state.