Driving licence/epilepsy

[PotatoForaName]

I’m in a bit of a mess with my driving licence.

Many years ago, I started having seizures. I immediately stopped driving. Was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy, started meds, and they worked. After a year seizure-free, I started driving again.

The issue is, I never told the DVLA. I was in a very controlling, abusive relationship at the time, and he absolutely forbade it.

I’m now well out of that relationship. Epilepsy still very well-controlled with meds - seizure-free for nearly a decade now.

But I have no idea what to do about my driving licence. It’s been that long now, should I just keep quiet? If I do declare it now, will I get a big fine and lose my licence while they investigate? I’m not even under a neurologist anymore so I don’t know how that would work.

Really just don’t know what to do for the best. I usually do everything exactly by the book, but am stuck with this. WWYD??

You have to tell the DVLA by law. Glad you are out of that relationship

I'm in a similar situation like yourself. I had a suspected seizure and GP mentioned that the DVLA will need to know. I took that as him letting them know. I'm still going through tests with neurology to see if it is actually epilepsy.
I had my first episode in March and none since and haven't driven since and won't drive till September according to what the GP said. I don't know whether to wait for diagnosis and then inform DVLA or do I let them know now. It's all confusing as currently nothings confirmed.

Begonias - it is the responsibility of the individual to inform the DVLA, rather than the clinician, so you probably still need to tell the DVLA (now, rather than if/when you get a definitive diagnosis).

Im in a similar situation like yourself. I had a suspected seizure and GP mentioned that the DVLA will need to know. I took that as him letting them know. I'm still going through tests with neurology to see if it is actually epilepsy.
I had my first episode in March and none since and haven't driven since and won't drive till September according to what the GP said. I don't know whether to wait for diagnosis and then inform DVLA or do I let them know now. It's all confusing as currently nothings confirmed
You need to tell DVLA now.

Thank you for your replies. I will be informing the DVLA, at least I know now it's not the GP that informs them.

Absolutely, in your situation, definitely tell DVLA now. It’ll avoid you being in the bind that I’m in now!

It’s been nearly 10 years for me, so my issue is I really can’t afford a £1k fine and losing my licence (I wouldn’t be able to get to work or take my kids to school). So I don’t know whether just to keep quiet and carry on as I am, or to try and do the right thing, but suffer those consequences that will destroy my life.

I’ll reiterate though - I’ve never driven when I’ve been a risk, I was over a year seizure-free before I drove again.