• A TR Group Site
  • Help
  • Cart
Driving Tests DT logo small
Driving tests
  • Learner licence
    • Car
    • Motorbike
    • Heavy vehicle
    • Learner Licence Plus
  • Courses
  • Tourist
  • Resources
  • Learn
  • Resources
  • Learner licence
    • Car
    • Motorbike
    • Heavy Vehicle
    • Learner Licence Plus
  • Your courses
    • Enrolled courses
  • View all courses
  • Tourist
  • Resources home
  • iOS application
  • Android application
  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Home
  • /
  • Resources
  • /
  • Driver and operator health
  • / Can you drive with epilepsy?

Can you drive with epilepsy?

If you have had more than one seizure which results in involuntary or uncontrolled movements and or a change in your state of consciousness then you must stop driving immediately and see your doctor. There’s a mandatory 12-month driving suspension after a seizure unless a doctor and neurologist can clearly identify a non-recurring cause for the seizure, in which case NZTA may reduce it at their discretion.

Controlled epilepsy

If you’re on medication to control your seizures, or are controlling them another way and you haven’t had a seizure for at least six or 12 months (depending on circumstances) you may be permitted to drive using a private driver’s licence (class 1 car or class 6 motorbike).

If you are not using medication and need a commercial licence then you must have been free of seizures for at least five years.

If you have epileptic seizures while sleeping but have not had any seizures while awake in the last 12 months then you may be allowed to drive a private motor vehicle.

Uncontrolled epilepsy

You must get medical advice about when it’s safe to drive again.

If you’ve had seizures in the last 12 months, or you’ve changed your treatment, or you aren’t taking your medication, then your epilepsy is considered to be uncontrolled.

Factors leading to epilepsy

Concussions and other head injuries serious enough to cause unconsciousness, brain tumours and amnesia may also contribute to seizures.

You are more likely to have a seizure after drinking alcohol (especially at the point at which your blood alcohol returns to zero), when you are ill or overtired, or if you receive a head injury.

Driving to and from work

This is considered to be private motor vehicle use, so if you are approved to drive then there is no issue with you driving.

Driving a car, van or motorbike for your job

If your job involves a lot of driving then the risks are higher. You must follow medical advice.

Driving a vehicle that requires endorsements

P, V, I and O endorsements

If you have a P, V, I or O endorsement then you will not be able to continue to use your vehicle under the conditions of the endorsement (e.g. if you have an I endorsement you must not continue to be a driving instructor if you have had epileptic seizures).

D, F, R, T and W endorsements

These endorsements may be reinstated once you are cleared to drive again.

Driving a class 2-5 heavy vehicle

Class 2-5 licences are not usually available to people who have had epileptic seizures. Check with NZTA as if you have been clear for five years with no medication or if you can get a neurosurgeon to support your application then you may be eligible, .

Insurance

You must disclose your epilepsy to your insurance company to check whether there are any additional conditions they impose to maintain your insurance cover.

More detail is available in the neurological and related conditions section of NZTA’s website.

driver training courses
By Darren Cottingham

Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above

‹ The most dangerous road surfaces for motorbike riders
Should you stop your engine while waiting at a red light? ›
Posted in Driver and operator health
  • DisqusDisqus
Recent Resources
  • How to Choose the Right EWP for Your Project: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Pre-Operational Inspection Checklist for Gantry Crane Operators
  • The Importance of Harness Systems When Working on Boom Lifts
  • Safety Procedures for Working Near Power Lines with EWPs
  • How do you plan efficient dig patterns?
  • Common Gantry Crane Accidents and How to Prevent Them
  • What are heavy machine operation modes?
  • How do you excavate around tree roots?
  • Training Requirements for Gantry Crane Operators in New Zealand
  • Why do fibre optic cables need extra care when excavating?

Licences and Courses

  • Car
  • Motorbike
  • Heavy Vehicles
Car
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs
Motorbike
  • Bike-specific questions
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs
Heavy Vehicles
  • Class 2
  • Class 3-5
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs

Vehicle and workplace training

  • About
  • Resources
DT Driver Training TR Group
About
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Resources
  • Homepage
  • Driving Tests Android App
  • Driving Tests iPhone App
  • Getting your learner licence
DT Driver Training TR Group
Copyright 2010-2025 DT Driver Training Ltd, PO Box 12541, Penrose, Auckland, 1642. All rights reserved. Questions and images are used with permission from NZTA; question answers are proprietary.