(Press-News.org) MINNEAPOLIS — The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the American Epilepsy Society (AES) and the Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA) have issued a consensus position statement on seizures, driver licensure and medical reporting. The position statement is published on March 12, 2025, online in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). It was developed with the Ethics, Law, and Humanities Committee, a joint committee of the AAN, the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society.
This statement updates a 1994 consensus statement by the AAN, AES, and EFA as well as a 2007 AAN position statement.
“Driving provides independence for work and daily tasks, but there is a modest increase in the risk of car accidents associated with seizures,” said author Benjamin Tolchin, MD, of the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. “Most people with epilepsy can drive safely when seizures are controlled by medication, and for some, seizures stop over time. This position statement aims to improve the management of this complex personal, medical, governmental and societal issue.”
The position statement says for people with seizures, a medical advisory board should conduct an individualized risk assessment and require a seizure-free period of three months or longer prior to driving, depending on the features of a person’s individual case. Driving should be paused during tapering of a drug and following discontinuation of a medication if another drug is not replacing it.
“Neurologists diagnose and treat epilepsy, and are experts in brain health,” said American Academy of Neurology President Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN. “With their expertise in managing seizures, this position statement can help medical professionals and government officials advise people who want to drive safely, ultimately improving their quality of life.”
The position statement says driver licensing decisions should be made by governmental regulatory bodies, rather than health practitioners. Additionally, health practitioners should be allowed, but not required, to report drivers who pose an elevated risk, noting that mandatory reporting by health care practitioners does not reduce accidents or fatalities but does increase the likelihood of people driving without a license and withholding information about seizures from their doctors.
“Through collaboration with multiple organizations, committees, and patient representatives, we have developed a framework that reflects a balanced approach to safety and patient independence and prioritizes individualized risk assessment while ensuring that regulatory bodies—not healthcare providers—make licensing decisions,” said author Charuta Joshi, MBBS, MSCS, CSCN(EEG), and a Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society. “This position statement and the consensus behind it underscore the importance of medical advisory boards in assessing seizure-related driving risks while recognizing the unintended consequences of mandatory physician reporting.”
The position statement says alternative methods of transportation and accommodations should be provided by government agencies for people whose driving privileges are restricted due to medical conditions.
“Driving is a central factor for quality of life, helping people with epilepsy maintain employment, access needed healthcare, and engage socially," said Bernice Martin Lee, Chief Executive Officer of the Epilepsy Foundation of America. "The new recommended position statement is data-driven and creates a thoughtful balance between personal independence and well-being and public safety."
About the American Academy of Neurology
The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About the American Epilepsy Society
Founded in 1936, the American Epilepsy Society (AES) is a medical and scientific society whose members are dedicated to advancing research and education for preventing, treating and curing epilepsy. AES is an inclusive global forum where professionals from academia, private practice, not-for-profit, government, and industry can learn, share, and grow to eradicate epilepsy and its consequences.
About the Epilepsy Foundation of America
The Epilepsy Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research, and connection. For more than five decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has shone a light on epilepsy to promote awareness and understanding, and to advocate for laws that matter to people with epilepsy, while also funding epilepsy research and supporting epilepsy investigators and specialists in their early careers. In partnership with the CDC, the Epilepsy Foundation has helped to improve access to care for people with epilepsy and trained more than 600,000 people in seizure recognition and first aid. The Epilepsy Foundation continues to focus on serving the epilepsy community through advocacy, education, direct services, and research for new therapies. To learn more visit epilepsy.com or call 1.800.332.1000; in Spanish at 866.748.8008 or laepilepsia.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
About the American Neurological Association
From advances in stroke and dementia to movement disorders and epilepsy, the American Neurological Association has been the vanguard of research since 1875 as the premier professional society of academic neurologists and neuroscientists devoted to understanding and treating diseases of the nervous system. Its monthly Annals of Neurology is among the world’s most prestigious medical journals, and the ANA’s Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology is an online-only, open access journal providing rapid dissemination of high-quality, peer-reviewed research related to all areas of neurology. The acclaimed ANA Annual Meeting draws faculty and trainees from the top academic departments across the U.S. and abroad for groundbreaking research, networking, and career development. For more information, visit www.myana.org or @TheNewANA1
About the Child Neurology Society
The Child Neurology Society (CNS), established in 1972, is the leading nonprofit association for pediatric neurologists worldwide. With nearly 3,000 members, CNS advances child neurology through education, advocacy, and mentorship, striving for equitable care for children with neurological disorders and recognizing those who care for them.
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AAN, AES and EFA issue position statement on seizures and driving safety
2025-03-12
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