ABSTRACT
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures with loss of consciousness and involuntary motor activity would have an obvious effect on driving abilities. In Switzerland, driving regulations are stated not to differ in the case of patients experiencing auras. In those patients who experience only auras without subsequent development of further convulsive activity, an argument can be made for limited driving licensure after it has been demonstrated that there is no unsuspected alteration in consciousness. Evaluation of such patients for driving requires objective assessment of seizure frequency with an electroencephalogram (including activation procedures) and, in some cases, intensive monitoring. The most common form of reflex epilepsy, which is particularly relevant to driving, is photosensitive epilepsy. Photosensitivity may be a characteristic of some primary generalized epilepsies or may be seen in isolation. In the United Kingdom, in order to gain driving privileges, a patient must be free of adverse effects that might impair driving ability.
