Epilepsy Society of Southern New York

Seizure-Free Period	1 year, with exceptions
Periodic Medical Updates Required After Licensing	At discretion of DMV
Doctors Required to Report Epilepsy	No
DMV Appeal of License Denial	Within 30 days

Driver's License
New York's licensing regulations require that a person with epilepsy not have experienced a loss of consciousness within the previous 12-month period. The applicant must submit a physician's statement confirming this fact. A person who has experienced a loss of consciousness during this period may be licensed at the discretion of the Motor Vehicles Commissioner if: 1) it was due solely to a physician-directed change in medication and the physician submits a statement to that effect, or 2) the person submits a physician's statement confirming his knowledge of all such incidents and recommending licensing despite the medical history because in his opinion the condition will not interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle [D.M.V. Reg. 9.3]. Each case is reviewed individually. As a condition of licensing, a person may be required to submit periodic physician's statements as to his or her fitness to drive. This condition shall not be applied to anyone who submits a physician's statement that he or she has been seizure-free without medication for 1 year or more [D.M.V. Reg. 9.5]. Restricted licenses are not otherwise available. If the Commissioner decides to suspend or deny a person's license because of medical unfitness, the Commissioner shall notify the person of the proposed action with an offer to withhold such action until after a department hearing, if the person requests a hearing. If a hearing is not requested within 30 days of the notice, the denial or suspension shall take effect [D.M.V. Reg. 9.4(a)]. If the Commissioner deems any person's operation of a motor vehicle to be an imminent hazard, he may immediately suspend or revoke the license and offer to hold a departmental hearing upon the person's written request. If the request is not made within 30 days of the action, the offer to hold a hearing will be considered withdrawn [9.4(b)]. Judicial review of the Commissioner's determination after a hearing may be had without an administrative appeal [D.M.V. Reg. 9.6(b)]. Persons with diagnosed seizure disorders or any condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a bus are disqualified from driving a bus [D.M.V. Reg. 6.11(8)]. It has also been the Department's policy to deny class A licenses to motorists who meet these criteria. A class A license permits the operation of a tractor trailer. On rare occasions, a class B commercial license, which permits the operation of some trucks, is authorized, if approved by the Department's medical consultant.

Identification Card
Photo non-driver identification cards are available through the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Reporting
There is no statutory provision requiring physicians to report patients who have been treated for or diagnosed as having epilepsy.