The law regarding driving after a blackout, seizure or other neurological condition is determined by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The DVLA, not your GP or hospital specialist, is responsible for deciding whether you are allowed to drive and for how long any driving restrictions apply.
If you experience a blackout, seizure or another event that may affect your ability to drive safely, you should stop driving immediately and inform the DVLA. Depending on the circumstances, you may also have a legal obligation to notify your motor insurer.
Because the DVLA regulations are updated from time to time, and because driving is a legal issue, we do not reproduce the detailed rules on this website. Instead, please refer to the current DVLA guidance:
A common misconception is that patients cannot drive until they have seen a neurologist or had a scan or EEG. In most cases, this is not correct. Seeing a specialist does not automatically restore your entitlement to drive.
Once you have informed the DVLA, they will usually contact the healthcare professional who knows most about your condition (this may be your GP, a hospital specialist, or both) and request medical information. The DVLA will then consider this information alongside their published medical standards before deciding whether you may continue driving, whether any restrictions apply, and when you can resume driving if you have stopped.
The information provided by your medical team helps the DVLA make this decision, but the decision itself is made by the DVLA. You should therefore not assume that you will be able to drive simply because you have been seen by a specialist.
If you are unsure whether your condition affects your ability to drive, or whether you need to notify the DVLA, you should check the current guidance on the GOV.UK website or contact the DVLA directly.
Last reviewed: 15 July 2026