Driving

Many people see their return to driving as a measure of their recovery. However, it must be remembered that driving involves many more complex skills than simply the mechanical ability to drive a vehicle. It requires the ability to observe, sequence events, make quick judgements, plan ahead and react appropriately to complicated situations, often in busy traffic. You need to be absolutely sure you can judge speed and distance and that your perception of situations has not been affected. Concentration difficulties, memory problems, difficulties in learning and a slowed response to situations are all common after encephalitis and may affect your ability to drive. Emotional or psychological problems, such as anger, mood swings, anxiety or panic attacks, can also affect a person’s ability to drive. In some cases more obvious physical or visual impairments may also pose problems for a return to driving.

Roughly a quarter of all people who have had encephalitis will go on to suffer from seizures or epilepsy and this may pose significant difficulties for individuals who want to return to driving. DVLA has very specific guidelines regarding driving and epilepsy and these will vary depending on several things such as when you have seizures, how controlled by medication they are and when you had your last seizure.

The DVLA must in any case be informed if you have had Encephalitis and wish to return to or begin driving. Their medical team is very sympathetic and they will explain exactly what you need to do if you contact them. Telephone: 0870 600 0301, Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 5.30 pm and Saturday, 8.00am to 1.00pm

A fact sheet “Driving after Encephalitis” can be downloaded from the web site or requested in paper form from the Encephalitis Society.

If you are refused a driving licence you may be eligible for a free bus pass. This is valid for local bus travel between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Fridays and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. This is a legal minimum requirement and is funded by the government. Some local authorities will also offer free travel at other times of day