Epilepsy
Epilepsy - driving and transport
Driving and travel can have a big impact on people's daily lives. Some of those we interviewed, who were diagnosed with epilepsy as adults, had been driving before they were diagnosed. Many said that they missed being able to drive because they were very much used to it. Not being able to drive came as an inconvenience to some and a huge disappointment to others.
Many people who had had to give up their driving licence discussed using other means of transport and adapting to public transport. Others discussed living in areas that had a good train service or living close to the train station.
Explains that she lives close to a train station because she cannot drive.
Explains that she lives close to a train station because she cannot drive.
But no, when we went to look for somewhere to live we got, that was the main thing, we had a circle round a station, well you know yourself, and being a mover still, it wasn't going to stop me moving you know because I've got epilepsy.
Some people had come to rely on trains and buses, and noted that having a car can be an extra expense. For those with poorly-controlled epilepsy, concessions on rail and bus are available and many recommended finding out about and making use of these.
Some people with poorly-controlled epilepsy are wary of travelling alone. Others described occasions when they had had seizures on the bus or train. A few recalled having had absence seizures and missing their stop. Sometimes the fear of missing stops and getting lost concerned people.
Recalls having an absence seizure on a bus and missing her stop.
Recalls having an absence seizure on a bus and missing her stop.
Not being able to drive can also have an impact on work. A few people could no longer drive to customers and clients. One woman said she now had to use public transport for work. Another discussed moving home so that she could take the train to work. She also described the lack of independence she felt and some of the disadvantages of not being able to drive. One man, a vehicle technician, explained how he had had to temporarily change roles at work until he got his licence back.
She now uses public transport for work because she cannot drive.
She now uses public transport for work because she cannot drive.
Because you just get used to it.
You do get used to it. I mean when you go to parties you can be the one who gets to have a glass of wine - always! (laughs). Because you can't drive (laughs).
Discusses changes she made to her work because she could not drive and some of the disadvantages...
Discusses changes she made to her work because she could not drive and some of the disadvantages...
I am very lucky I live in a city with great public transport and where bikes are the norm. But there are times when I wish I could go to Sainsburys on my own or, the driving is hard, it [not being able to drive] reduces your independence. My friends laugh about me that I'm the biggest walking bus timetable person in the country but, and that's funny, but it involves taking three buses to get to somewhere that you could get to in ten minutes. And yes occasionally you can jump in a cab but you can't live your life like that. And that really frustrates me.
And you know what's it like being married to somebody who doesn't drink, but she can't drive you anywhere. You know, there are no benefits in that.
Not being able to drive particularly affected those living in rural areas. Inability to drive also affected some people's families. Many people did not want to become a burden on others. Several recommended finding out about and using the travel concessions available to people with poorly-controlled epilepsy. A few people urged those with poorly-controlled epilepsy who were still driving, not to drive.
Explains how not driving affects his family, and the travel concessions available to people with...
Explains how not driving affects his family, and the travel concessions available to people with...
As far as the sufferer is concerned they have to rely on public transport which is very up and down. And its very frustrating sometimes to wait an hour for a bus knowing that you could probably have walked it and if you had a car and driven it you'd have been there in five minutes. What I would, being positive, do make sure you get your best benefits from transport because you can get a disabled pass for the railways. The Epilepsy Association has fought long and hard with the railway companies to make sure that we could have disabled rates because we were medically unfit to drive. So it was quite right that we should have rail cards, cheaper rail cards. So do fight that one. Your Local Authority may be able to help with cheaper bus fairs. Certainly where I come from, I have a bus pass that allows me any journey is 20p. This is because I'm medically unfit to drive. Do look into what you may be allowed to do.
People with well-controlled epilepsy also discussed some of their concerns about driving. One man said that, although his epilepsy had been controlled for many years, he would not come off his medications because of the impact on driving should his seizures recur. Another man described the impact on driving when his seizures did recur. One woman, who was seizure free and off medications, discussed her plans to take driving lessons and explained how this would affect her life.
He had to stop driving again when his seizures recurred.
He had to stop driving again when his seizures recurred.
Discusses her plans to take driving lessons and how this will affect her life.
Discusses her plans to take driving lessons and how this will affect her life.
Last reviewed May 2016.
Last updated March 2014.
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