Epilepsy and Driving - Laws in Various Places - United States - Laws By State

Laws By State

State Law Physician required to report Seizure-free period
Alabama Decided by medical advisory board. Periodic updates from physician may be required. No 3 months
Alaska Semi-annual neurological examination required No 6 months
Arizona Driving is permitted if seizure is the result of a medication change, is believed by physician to be an isolated incident, is predictable to patient by an aura, or occurs during sleep only. No 3 months
Arkansas A one-year seizure-free period is required, and no exceptions are granted. No 1 year
California Action taken against those who experience lapses of consciousness or confusion. After 3 months, reinstated under probation, and after 6 months, if no incidents occur, probation is lifted Yes 3-6 months
Colorado Anyone with a medical condition causing a lapse of consciousness must submit a physician statement certifying one's ability to drive No No fixed amount of time
Connecticut All applicants for driver's licenses or renewals are required to state any conditions they may have. If any involve a lapse of consciousness, physician statement is required. No 3-6 months
Delaware Physicians are required to report seizure disorders involving lapses of consciousness to DMV. License restrictions are accordingly placed. Reviews are made annually thereafter. Yes No fixed amount of time
District of Columbia Applicants are required to submit a physician certificate stating they have been seizure free for at least one year for the first 5 years of being seizure-free. Following the 5-year period, applicants are required to sign an affidavit that they have been seizure-free. Driving is permitted within a year of a seizure if seizures are nocturnal, or if they are an isolated incident. No 12 months
Florida Drivers who are seizure-free for 6 months may be licensed if a physician feels it is safe. Those who are seizure-free for 2 years or longer do not need a physician certificate. No 6 months
Georgia Those who are seizure-free for 6 months may be licensed. Those with nocturnal epilepsy are offered licenses restricted to daylight hours, even if they are actively having seizures. No 6 months
Hawaii Those who are seizure-free for 6 months are offered licenses. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis. No 6 months
Idaho Licenses are denied to those who, at the discretion of a physician, cannot safely operate a motor vehicle due to a medical condition causing lapses in consciousness, and can be reinstated when, at the physician's discretion, the lapses in consciousness due not impede the patient's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. No No fixed amount of time
Illinois All applicants are asked to answer a series of questions pertaining to their health. If any have a "yes" answer, a physician must certify that it is safe for the applicant to drive. The applicant must follow the physician's instructions from then on. No No fixed amount of time
Indiana Anyone whose physician certifies that s/he is seizure-free while medicated is permitted to obtain a license. No No fixed amount of time
Iowa Must remain seizure-free for 6 months, and then submit an evaluation from a physician every 6 months thereafter. Those whose seizures occur only at night, or were only as a result of a failed medication change need not wait through the 6-month period. No 6 months, with exceptions
Kansas Those who are considered to be a danger to themselves or others behind the wheel may be denied licenses. Exceptions are made for those whose seizures are nocturnal only, or who suffered them as a result of a failed medication change. No 6 months, with exceptions
Kentucky Upon application or renewal of license, applicants are asked if they have had a seizure in the past 90 days. Those who are seizure-free must take medication. No 90 days
Louisiana Applicants for a new license with any disability must provide a physician certificate detailing their fitness to drive. This report is waived for renewals, except for commercial licenses. No 6 months
Maine Those who have been seizure-free for 3 months and are using medication may be issued a license. One who has a breakthrough seizure due to a medication issue may have this requirement waived. No 3 months
Maryland People with seizures are required to report their condition to MVA. Must be seizure-free for 90 days in order to renew license. Determined by medical advisory board. No 3 months
Massachusetts Must be seizure-free for 6 months and submit a physician report detailing if seizures are dangerous. No 6 months
Michigan Must submit a report from physician and be seizure-free for 6 months (12 months for a chauffer's license). Exceptions can be made at physician's discretion. No 6 months
Minnesota Must be seizure-free for 3 months to apply for or renew a license. Exceptions for seizures caused by temporary illness. No 6 months
Mississippi Must be seizure-free for 6 months. There are no exceptions to this period. No 6 months
Missouri Each case is decided on a case-by-case basis. The normal recommendation is 6 months. No 6 months
Montana Applicant must state how condition affects his/her ability to drive safely. At discretion of DMV. No No fixed amount of time
Nebraska Applicants with any medical condition (not specifically epilepsy) are given a thorough examination, and DMV makes decisions on a case-by-case basis. No No fixed amount of time
Nevada Those with epilepsy are required to submit annual medical report. After a 3-month seizure-year period, these reports are no longer required. Yes 3 months
New Hampshire Must be seizure-free for 12 months. This period may be reduced if applicant can submit a physician certificate stating seizures will not likely continue to occur. No 12 months
New Jersey Applicants may obtain a license if seizure-free for 6 months. This period may only be reduced if the Neurological Disorder Committee determines it is safe. A medical update must be submitted every 6 months for the first 2 years, and annually thereafter. Yes 1 year
New Mexico Epilepsy is not specifically mentioned in state law as a reason for denying licenses. No 1 year, less if recommended by Medical Advisory Board
New York Exceptions are made when a physician determines that seizures were caused by medication experimentation or were temporary. Those who have been seizure-free for a year without medication need not report the condition. No 1 year, with exceptions
North Carolina Licenses may be issued when patient has been seizure-free, or when seizures are nocturnal or can be predicted by an aura that lasts at least 2-3 minutes. No 6-12 months, with exceptions
North Dakota Applicant must submit a sworn statement that s/he has not had a seizure in 6 months. This may be reduced to 3 months if physician believes seizures have been adequately controlled. After 3 years with no seizures and off medication, no statement is required. No 6 months
Ohio Applicants must state under oath whether or not they have had any seizure activity or similarly impairing conditions. Giving false information results in criminal prosecution. Those who have had any seizures within the past 5 years must submit a certificate from a physician stating that it is safe for them to drive, and this must be updated every 6 months until the driver has been seizure-free for 5 years. No No fixed amount of time
Oklahoma Generally, drivers must be seizure-free for 6 months. This is reduced to 3 months if a physician states the seizure was an isolated incident or was the result of a failed medication change. Those with nocturnal seizures may be given a restricted license. No 6 months, with exceptions
Oregon Seizures must be controlled for 3 months on medication or 6 months on no medication before driving. There is no longer a mandatory report for first time seizures. Conditions that are considered "severe and uncontrollable" are subject to mandatory reporting by the driver's primary care provider. Law enforcement agents may also file a report if there is an accident. Once reported, a Medical Certificate must be completed every 6 months to maintain driving priveleges until the driver is released from surveillance. Yes 3 months
Pennsylvania Must be seizure-free for 6 months. After a seizure occurs, must wait 6 months before driving again. Exceptions are made for those with nocturnal seizures, an aura prior to their seizures, or those who have a seizure as a result of a temporary medical condition or medication change. Yes 6 months
Puerto Rico Must have a physician certify one is safe to drive. No No fixed amount of time
Rhode Island Must be certified by a physician as seizure-free. In most cases, the period used by the department is 18 months. No 18 months
South Carolina Must have a physician certify that patient is seizure-free for 6 months, then continue to submit reports every 6 months until seizure-free for 3 years. No 6 months
South Dakota A temporary license, valid for 6 months, is issued to epileptics if physician certifies driving is safe. If patient is seizure-free for 12 months, a permanent license is issued. No 6-12 months
Tennessee License may be issued to those who are seizure-free for 6 months, and who receive a favorable review from state's medical board. No 6 months
Texas Those who have been seizure-free for 6 months are permitted to drive if the physician certifies they are reliable in taking their medication, are not habitually sleep deprived, and do not abuse alcohol. Following a breakthrough seizure, can drive once situation is controlled. No 6 months
Utah Must be seizure-free for 3 months, on or off medication. License may have restrictions, such as time of day, location, and speed. No 3 months
Vermont Must receive medical evaluation from commissioner. No No fixed amount of time
Virginia Applicants must be free from seizures or blackouts for 6 months. Exceptions are made for those whose seizures are nocturnal, who experience an aura prior to the seizure, or whose seizures are the result of a temporary medical condition or medication change. No 6 months, with exceptions
Washington Must be seizure-free for 6 months, unless waived by physician. No 6 months
West Virginia Must be seizure-free for 1 year. Some drivers may be granted a restricted license in less than a year that places restrictions on the time, day, or distance one may drive. No 1 year, with exceptions
Wisconsin Must be seizure-free for 3 months. There are no exceptions in the law. No 3 months
Wyoming Must be seizure-free for 3 months. Those with nocturnal epilepsy may be granted daytime only licenses. No 3 months, with exceptions

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