California suspends your license for one year after two seizures, with no option to request early reinstatement

If you have had two or more seizures, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend your driver's license for a minimum of 12 months from the date of your most recent seizure. This is a mandatory suspension under California Vehicle Code Section 13953. You cannot request a hardship license, restricted license, or early reinstatement during this period — the full year must pass before you can reapply.

The suspension applies whether your seizures were diagnosed epilepsy, unprovoked seizures, or seizures caused by another medical condition. The DMV does not distinguish between types. What matters is the count: two or more seizures trigger the one-year clock.

This suspension is separate from any criminal penalties you may face if you drove while knowing you had a seizure condition. It is purely a medical safety rule enforced by the DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspension lasts exactly 12 months from your most recent seizure, with no exceptions or early release options.
  • You must wait the full year before you can submit a medical clearance form to the DMV to request reinstatement.
  • A doctor must sign off on your fitness to drive before the DMV will consider lifting the suspension.
  • If you drive during the suspension period, you face criminal charges, fines up to $1,000, and a longer suspension.

What counts as a seizure under California law

California defines a seizure as a sudden, involuntary loss of consciousness or control of your body. The DMV counts any seizure you report to a doctor or that a doctor documents in your medical record, regardless of whether you were driving at the time.

Seizures that count include epileptic seizures, febrile seizures (in adults), syncope with convulsive movements, and unexplained loss of consciousness with muscle contractions. A single fainting episode without convulsion does not count as a seizure for DMV purposes, but your doctor's documentation is what the DMV will review, not your own description.

If you are unsure whether an episode qualifies, the DMV will ask your doctor to clarify on the medical form. Do not guess or omit episodes — the DMV cross-checks your medical records.

How the one-year suspension timeline works

The 12-month period begins on the date of your second seizure, not your first. If your first seizure occurred on January 15 and your second on March 20, the suspension clock starts March 20. You become may be able to access to request reinstatement on March 20 of the following year.

If you have a third seizure during the suspension, the clock does not reset — you still serve out the original 12 months from the second seizure. However, if you have another seizure after you have already been reinstated, a new suspension period begins.

The DMV will send you a notice of suspension by mail once the medical report reaches them. This notice will state the exact date your suspension ends and when you can reapply. Keep this letter; you will need it to prove when you became may be able to access for reinstatement.

Medical clearance required before reinstatement

After 12 months have passed, you cannot straightforward walk into a DMV office and get your license back. You must first obtain written clearance from a licensed physician stating that you are safe to drive. The doctor must complete the DL 44 Medical Evaluation form or a similar physician's statement confirming that your seizure condition is controlled or that you have been seizure-free for the required period.

Your doctor will need to document that you have either been seizure-free for at least 12 months, or that your seizures are now controlled by medication and you are medically cleared to drive. The DMV will not accept a form signed by a nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, or other non-physician provider — it must be a licensed MD or DO.

Once you have the signed medical form, submit it to your local DMV office along with a completed DL 44 process (or DL 43 if you are renewing). There is no additional fee for reinstatement after a medical suspension. The DMV will review the form and, if approved, will issue you a new license or reinstate your existing one.

Penalties for driving during suspension

Driving with a suspended license due to a medical condition is a criminal offense in California. If you are stopped, you face a misdemeanor charge under Vehicle Code Section 14601, which carries a fine of $250 to $1,000, possible jail time of up to six months, or both.

A conviction also extends your suspension. The DMV will add an additional suspension period on top of the original one-year term. You will also have a criminal record, which can affect employment, housing, and insurance.

If you are involved in an accident while driving on a suspended license due to seizures, your insurance may deny your claim, and you could face civil liability for injuries or property damage.

What to do if you have had two seizures

Report both seizures to your primary care doctor or neurologist in writing. Ask the doctor to document the dates, times, and circumstances of each seizure in your medical record. The doctor will likely report the seizures to the DMV directly, but you should also contact your local DMV office to report them yourself.

You can report seizures to the DMV by calling their Medical Evaluation Unit or by submitting a written statement with dates and medical documentation. Some DMV offices have an online form for medical condition reporting. Do not wait for the DMV to contact you — reporting yourself shows good faith and prevents delays.

Once the suspension is in place, do not drive. Use public transportation, rideshare services, or ask friends and family for rides. Keep a copy of the DMV suspension notice and any medical records related to your seizures in a safe place.

Mark your calendar for the date your suspension ends (12 months from your second seizure). About one month before that date, schedule an appointment with your doctor to obtain the medical clearance form. Submit the form to the DMV as soon as you have it.

Seizures reported after the suspension is already in place

If you have a seizure after your one-year suspension has already ended and you have been reinstated, the DMV will impose a new 12-month suspension starting from the date of that new seizure. You will go through the same process again: wait 12 months, obtain medical clearance, and reapply for reinstatement.

This means that if you are reinstated in March and have a seizure in July, your license will be suspended again for 12 months from July. The previous suspension does not protect you from a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a restricted or hardship license while my license is suspended for seizures?

No. California does not issue restricted licenses or hardship licenses for medical suspensions due to seizures. The suspension is absolute for the full 12 months. You must not drive during this period under any circumstances.

What if my doctor says I am safe to drive before the 12 months are up?

The DMV does not allow early reinstatement based on medical opinion alone. The 12-month waiting period is mandatory. Your doctor's clearance is required after the 12 months have passed, not before. If your doctor believes you are safe earlier, you will still have to wait until the full year is complete.

Do I have to tell the DMV about a seizure I had years ago?

If you had a seizure more than 12 months ago and have not had another one since, you do not need to report it now. However, if you have had two seizures within any timeframe and one of them was within the last 12 months, you are subject to suspension. Be honest with your doctor about your full seizure history.

What happens if I move to another state while my license is suspended?

Your California suspension follows you. Other states will see the suspension in the National Driver Register and will not issue you a license until California lifts the suspension. You must complete the full 12-month period and obtain medical clearance in California before you can drive legally in any state.

Can I appeal the suspension or request a hearing?

No. Medical suspensions for seizures are not subject to appeal or administrative hearing. The law is automatic — two seizures equal a 12-month suspension. You can only challenge the suspension if the DMV made a factual error (for example, if they counted a single seizure as two, or if they miscalculated the date). Contact the DMV's Medical Evaluation Unit if you believe an error was made.