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Driving and Epilepsy
Simply put, patients who experience episodes characterized by loss of awareness or inability to perceive external environmental stimuli (interact with the environment) cannot drive for a minimum period of time. This period of time varies depending on the state of residence, from 3 months to 1 year for non-commercial drivers licenses. The period of time an individual is restricted from driving is much longer for commercial licenses.
In the state of Georgia, a patient must be free of such
episodes for at least 6 months before he or she can drive a non-commerical
vehicle. For commercial vehicles, under section 391.41(b)(8) "an individual
who has had an episode of altered awareness that is not deemed to be an
epileptic convulsion and that did not require anti-seizure medication, the
decision as to whether that person's condition will likely cause loss of
consciousness or loss of ability to control a motor vehicle is made on an
individual basis by the medical examiner in consultation with the treating
physician. Before certification is considered, it is suggested that a
6-month waiting period elapse from the time of the episode." If an
individual had loss of consciousness due to an epileptic convulsion, then he
or she may not drive a commercial vehicle for 5 years. If the individual has
had two such seizures, he or she may not drive for 10 years. No individual
may drive a commercial vehicle while on anticonvulsant medication.
While the period of time is arbitrary in many respects, these regulations
are in place for the safety of not just the individual, but for the
population at large, including other drivers and pedestrians. A moving
motorized vehicle, which is not under complete control, even for a brief
instant can have catastrophic results.
For further details, see Conference on Neurological Disorders and Commercial
Drivers at:
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/medreports.htm.
