Driving

If you have had any type of seizure, including an aura sensation, you must stop driving immediately.  This is the case even if you are still waiting to be diagnosed with epilepsy.  You also have to notify the DVLA (Driving Vehicle Licensing Authority) of your seizure.  Once you have been seizure free for twelve months (with or without taking medication) you can apply to get your ordinary car licence reinstated.

In addition, your doctor will also need to be satisfied that you are safe to drive again.  Different, often stricter rules apply for other types of licences.

Anyone who has only ever had sleep seizures will usually get their licence back after a qualifying period, even if they continue to have sleep seizures.  For one off or provoked seizures, the DVLA can apply some discretion.  This means a person may get their licence back sooner than the required one year.

Once you have a diagnosis of epilepsy, you will be entitled to a free nationwide entitlement card (bus pass) in Scotland.  This is because you are no longer legally allowed to drive as long as you have had one seizure in the last 12 months.

You may also be entitled to a Disabled Person’s Railcard which gives you one third off long-distance rail fares throughout the UK.

There are also schemes designed to support people with severe mobility and other problems to travel independently as either a driver or a passenger.  The Blue Badge Scheme allows you to use special disabled parking spaces and to park where other drivers cannot.  Your local council can give you more details on this scheme and how to apply for a Blue Badge.

 

Safe driving

Once you have your license back, take extra care to minimise any risks of seizures returning.  These include:

  • establish a good sleep pattern.  Tiredness and lack of sleep can sometimes trigger a seizure.   Avoid driving during those times when you are affected by sleep issues.
  • always take plenty of breaks when driving long distances and watch out for tiredness!
  • keep yourself well hydrated and eat plenty of snacks to avoid dehydration and low blood sugar.  This can be a seizure trigger for some people
  • always take your medication on time!  If you have missed a dose of your epilepsy medication or have taken it too late, do not drive as this makes you more vulnerable to breakthrough seizures
  • do not drive if the side effects of your medication affect your ability to drive safely
  • do not drink alcohol and drive; if you take epilepsy medication, even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive
  • REMEMBER if you have any type of breakthrough seizure, you must stop driving immediately and notify the DVLA!

For more information read our Epilepsy and driving factsheet.

Public transport

National Entitlement Card Scotland (free bus pass)

You may be eligible to apply for a free bus pass because of your epilepsy.

Please note:  If you require a companion card which allows another person to travel with you free of charge, you will need to look at options A, B, and C below.  

If you do not require a companion card and are aged under 22 or 60 and over, options D or E below may be the quicker route to getting a free bus pass.

For more information on any of the information below, please contact our helpline on 0808 800 2200, or email contact@epilepsyscotland.org.uk.  You can also find all the relevant information in our factsheet on free bus travel.

 

A. For adults aged 16 and over

You can apply for a free bus pass if you have had one seizure (any type of seizure!) in the last 12 months.

You can use a form NCT003 as your proof of entitlement.  This form needs to be signed by your GP or epilepsy specialist nurse confirming that you have had one seizure in the last year and would therefore not be allowed to drive.

You can request form NCT003 from us by calling our helpline on 0808 800 2200 or emailing contact@epilepsyscotland.org.uk.

 

B. For children aged 5 to 15

A child/young person is also entitled to apply for a free bus pass if they are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits.

The child/young person may also be eligible for a Companion card if they are, for example, in receipt of the middle or highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment.

If you are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits, you can also apply for a Companion/’plus one’ card, which will allow someone else to travel free of charge with you on the bus.

 

C. Children under 5

Any child under the age of 5 travels free on buses anyway.  If your child under 5 is in receipt of certain qualifying benefits, you can also apply for a Companion card allowing you to travel free of charge with your young child.

If you or your child/young person no longer qualify for a free bus pass on grounds of your epilepsy (for example if you are not in receipt of qualifying benefits or have been seizure free for more than a year), you may still be able to get a free bus pass.

 

D. Young Person’s National Entitlement Card for under 22s

Children/young people aged between 5 and 21, can now apply for a National Entitlement Card under the Young Person’s Free Bus Travel Scheme.

This does not require proof of eligibility, ie proof of your epilepsy, or award of qualifying disability benefits.  The card is issued based on age alone.

For many children/young people with epilepsy, this might be a quicker way of getting free bus travel than applying for a disabled person’s NEC.

To find out how to apply, visit the Young Person’s Free Bus Travel Scheme website.

You cannot, however, apply for a companion/’plus one’ card under this scheme.

 

E. Aged 60 or over

You can also apply for a free bus pass if you are 60 or over.  The card is issued based on age alone and does not require proof of eligibility because of your epilepsy.

You cannot, however, apply for a companion card.

 

Disabled Person’s Railcard

Anyone in the UK who has epilepsy and who still has regular seizures despite taking anti-epileptic drugs, will be entitled to a Disabled Person’s Railcard.  You have to buy this card for a yearly fee which then gives you one third off train fares for travel across the UK.  An adult travelling with you will also get one third off the fare.

Other transport

Taxi card scheme

Some local authorities in Scotland may still provide a taxi card for those who have permanent and severe mobility issues allowing you to travel by taxi at a reduced fare.  You need to contact your own local authority to find out about potential taxi schemes in your area.

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