Neurological Guidelines for Applicants with Seizures

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Division of Drivers Licenses

1. Applicants and licensed drivers should be seizure free for a period of two years before being approved for licensing; but, if under regular medical supervision, may apply at the end of six months for review by the Medical Advisory Board. "Petit mal" or absence seizures and partial seizures with complex symptomatology will also follow these guidelines. The isolated seizure with a normal electroencephalogram may be reviewed at the end of three months.
2. Applicants and licensed drivers who have been approved after six months seizure free may be required to submit follow-up reports at the end of one year from date of approval.
3. Applicants and licensed drivers who have had a chronic recurring seizure disorder (or have been treated for such for one year) and medications have been discontinued will not be licensed to drive during the period of drug with-drawal and for a period of three months following complete cessation of treatment. If the patient has seizures during this period, licensing may be considered after a three-month seizure free interval upon return to adequate therapy.
4. If there is a question about the seizure type or the medication the applicant or licensed driver is on, it is the prerogative of the Medical Board to question the treating physician further in an effort to clarify the nature of the seizures.
5. Blood levels below therapeutic levels are to be considered on an individual basis.
6. Applicants and licensed drivers with only chronic nocturnal seizures will be considered on an individual basis.
7. Applicants and licensed drivers with syncopal episodes who have no clear diagnosis established will be considered on an individual basis.