Seizures

Find out what you need to do if you have epilepsy or seizures. 

If you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures, you may experience sudden losses of consciousness. This can severely affect your ability to drive safely.

You might be able to keep your licence or learner permit, but you’ll need to meet several conditions.

What you need to do

If you’re applying for a licence or learner permit

If you have epilepsy or seizures, you must report your condition to VicRoads and provide a medical report before you sit for your test. Drivers are legally required to report to VicRoads any medical conditions that could impact their ability to drive.

You might need to provide a report from your doctor before your licence or permit can be issued. 

If you already have a licence

If you experience a seizure, do not drive until you’ve consulted your doctor. If you have or develop epilepsy or seizures, you must notify VicRoads. Drivers are required under law to report to VicRoads any medical conditions that could impact their ability to drive.

Once you notify VicRoads, you may need to provide a report from your doctor. Depending on your type of seizure, your licence may be suspended until your condition is under control.
 
Find out what happens after you notify VicRoads.

Seizure-free periods

You may need to have a period of time free from seizures before your licence can be reinstated. This time period will depend on your condition, the type of seizure and your licence type. If you have another seizure, you must notify VicRoads. 

Driving commercial vehicles

Commercial truck, taxi and bus drivers must meet strict safety standards in Victoria. If you’ve had a seizure, you may not be allowed to drive these types of vehicles. 

If you have seizures or epilepsy and want to drive a commercial vehicle, you must provide us with a report from an epilepsy specialist to help us assess your fitness to drive. You may be eligible for a conditional licence depending on your condition.

Find out more

To find out more about driving with epilepsy, visit Epilepsy Foundation.

To find out more about the criteria for drivers of heavy vehicles, visit Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines.

For more information read our Information update Seizures and driving [PDF 88Kb]

For more detail on how we assess your fitness to drive, visit our Medical Review pages.

Fitness to drive 

If you have (or develop) a medical condition that could affect your driving safety, you must notify VicRoads. There could be serious consequences in not reporting a medical condition - Fitness to drive FAQs if you don’t.  

Find out what happens after you notify VicRoads.