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Epilepsy - First Aid and Fitness to Drive

Fitness to Drive


In respect of the driving regulations within the UK, people who have epilepsy can hold a valid driving licence providing the following conditions have been met:

  • They have been free for 1 year with Anti Epilepsy Drugs (AEDs);
  • They have had seizures only in sleep for 3 years;
  • The DVLA is satisfied that they are not a danger to themselves on the road;
  • All of their seizures types are those included in the Fitness to Drive guidance and they have been still conscious as a consequence; and
  • They have seizure warnings (i.e. “aura”) prior to having any partial seizures.


Information on Fitness to Drive can be found here

First Aid


There are a number of issues to take into account when assisting someone with epilepsy (if they are having a seizure and are unconscious as a consequence):

From a First Aid perspective there are a numbers of Dos and Don'ts:

What to do

  • Check the time to record the length of seizure;
  • Support their head with something (e.g. pillow);
  • Try not to feel frightened;
  • Turn the person onto their side into the recovery position when the seizure has ended; and
  • Speak reassuringly and tell the person what has happened.

What not to do

  • Do not try and move the person while they are having a seizure; and
  • Do not offer the person anything to drink until they are fully conscious.


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