Key excerpts from the DVLA website (updated Sept 2012)
Rules:
- First unprovoked epileptic seizure/solitary fit (all attacks within one 24 hour period are treated as a 'single event') : 6 months off driving unless clinical factors suggest an unacceptably high risk of a further seizure. For bus/lorry drivers: 5 years off.
- Known epilepsy: can drive whilst seizure free but:
- if a known epileptic has a seizure:
- during the day: 1 year off driving
- during the night: 1 year off driving unless they have had a seizure whilst asleep more than 3 years previously and no daytime attacks, in which case they may continue driving.
- cannot drive bus/lorry until off medication AND seizure free for 10 years
- Solitary loss of consciousness likely to be cardiac in origin (but excluding vasovagal collapses): 6 months off if no cause identified. 4 weeks off if cause identified and treated.
- TIA: no need to notify DVLA but must not drive for 1 month. For bus/lorry drivers: 1 year off.
- Stroke: must not drive for 1 month and may resume driving afterwards if satisfactory clinical recovery. For bus/lorry drivers: 1 year off.
- Unstable angina: must cease driving until symptoms controlled. No need to inform DVLA
- ACS: - no need to notify DVLA
- successfully treated by angio: can drive after 1 week as long as LVEF at least 40%
- can drive after 4 weeks if not successfully treated by angio
- if bus/lorry driver: at least 6 weeks off
- Elective PCI: no driving for 1 week. (6 weeks bus/lorry driver) No need to notify DVLA
- CABG: no driving for 4 weeks, 3 months if bus/lorry driver.
- Pacemaker implant, including box change: no driving for 1 week (6 weeks for bus/lorry)
GMC advice: "if you do not manage to persuade the patient to stop
driving, or you discover that they are driving against your advice you
should contact the DVLA immediately and disclose any relevant medical
information, in confidence, to the medical advisor. Before contacting
the DVLA you should try to inform the patient of your decision to
disclose personal information. You should then also inform the patient
in writing once you have done so"
