Driver's License

[Havok]

At this moment, my state's DMV is aware of my epilepsy and requiring documentation of compliance in order for me to retain my license.

Does anyone know if when I move to another state, the other state's DMV will be notified, and require the same? Basically: Will the hoops disappear when I move?

 

[AlohaBird]

It might vary from place to place but I recently moved from California to Hawaii and those two DMVs didn't do any communicating about me. DMVs are state run not federal and I'm not sure they really have much of a federal level of coordination. Unless of course you are an interstate fugitive felon in which case the FBI would get you.

The fact that you have that one year checkup hanging over your head may make things different though. I had already been through the process of getting mine back without any conditions before I moved.

 

[N Sperlo]

I cant imagine the state will share medical information. In fact it is probably illegal for them to share any such information because licensing is on a state level. My state doesnt have any health info on me.

 

[valeriedl]

How long you are seizure free before you can drive varies from state to state. Here in PA it's 6 months and in other states it's a year.

I don't know if your dr has to tell the DMV that you are or unable to drive or not because of a medical condition. Here in PA I think the dr has to tell them this.

I don't think the DMV would know unless they were told, this is just a guess though.

I know it's rough not being able to drive but I consider first if it safe for you to drive or not. I have on average 5 seizures a month usually with no warning that they are coming on so I wouldn't be able to pull over and have the seizure and start driving again after it's over. Even if I had only one seizure every month or two I still wouldn't feel safe driving.

 

[Belinda5000]

It's 6 month in the state of Georgia you have to be seizure free before you can drive.
Think of all the people that drive and seize and give people obeying the law with epilepsy a bad name. I have never had a license ever! I do make it though .

 

[marika853]

In the state of Florida it is 3 months and it is an honor system. The dr. does not inform DMV.
M

 

[gbpackerfan]

It varies from state to state, as far as time frames, who is required to report the DMV and what the requirements are to get it back. I reported myself last September in Arizona. I have to be seizure free for three months, documented blood work and documentation from my neuro. I was required to report myself. I haven't wanted to, while I've had E for over 15 years. I was nudged along by a couple of doctors, but it was for the safety of others and myself. Don't get me wrong, it really, REALLY sucks not being able to drive!

 

[elizzza811]

I live in PA. I had to be seizure-free for 6 months before I could get mine back, and my doctor had to fill in a form which required the date of my last seizure. Unfortunately, though my complex partial seizures were under control and I was a good way in to my 6-month wait, I had a simple partial seizure involving my R thumb and had to begin my 6-month wait all over again.

Whenever there is a 'possibility' of a seizure recurrence now, my doctor usually goes by an honor's system and has me promise not to drive until I get the all-clear because it's such a hassle to get it back.

In fact, I could've gotten mine back sooner when first diagnosed, but her office is so busy and disorganized that they didn't fax the form in with the date of my last seizure. I had nooo idea how long the process at the DMV would take, and the lady at the DMV was rude and couldn't even give me a ballpark figure (2 weeks? a month? 3 months? 6 months?). She had me keep calling back every week for months. Finally she took the time to look, noticed the date of my last seizure was missing, and I had my DL back in 2 weeks. I was sooo maaad!