§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will amend the regulations relating to the granting of driving licences to people 'suffering from epilepsy.
§ Mr. David HowellI am today seeking the views of representative organisations on changes in the regulations which would have the following effect:
- (a) Ordinary licences may be granted to sufferers from epilepsy who have been free from attacks for two years;
- (b) In future licences will not be granted to applicants who have suffered from attacks while asleep during the past two years;
- (c) However, a person who already holds or has applied for a licence on the basis that he or she has established a pattern of attacks only while asleep, for at least three years, may continue to hold a licence provided no waking attacks occur;
- (d) Heavy goods vehicle licences may be granted to applicants who have been free from epileptic attacks after attaining the age of five years.
These changes have been recommended by my honorary medical advisory panel on epilepsy, and they would bring practice in Britain into line with many other countries.
I am placing a copy of the consultation letter and draft regulations in the Library of the House.