Epilepsy and Driving in Ontario

In accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, the Ministry of Transportation makes all decisions about driver’s licences in Ontario. In the province, physicians are required under law to report anyone over 16 who they believe is not able to safely drive. These reports go to the MTO whether you have a driver’s licence or not.

When the report is received, the MTO will review the information and make a decision about the status of your driver’s licence. The MTO might ask for more information or suspend your licence without the need for further evidence. If this happens, your licence will be reinstated when conditions are met and when the appropriate medical information is received, reviewed, and approved.

You may drive with a seizure disorder in Ontario, if:
  • medication appears to have prevented your seizures AND:
    • you have been free from seizures for 6 months and your medication does not impair your consciousness (e.g., doesn’t cause drowsiness), or cause poor coordination or muscle control.
    • your physician believes you are a conscientious patient who will take your medication responsibly and follow all the physician’s instructions carefully.
    •  you are under regular medical supervision and your physician believes you will report to him/her immediately should any further seizure(s) occur.
  • you have had a single spontaneous seizure unrelated to any toxic illness and for which a full neurological examination reveals no form of epileptic activity.
  • you have seizures only during sleep or immediately upon awakening (nocturnal seizures) and it has either been 6 months since your last seizure OR if you still have seizures, the pattern has been consistent for at least 1 year.
  • you have simple partial seizures and it has either been 6 months since your last seizure OR if you still have seizures, the pattern has been consistent for at least 1 year; you also must have favourable assessment from a treating physician or neurologist, no impairment in your level of consciousness/cognition, and no head or eye deviation.
  • you have been seizure-free for at least 6 months, but had a seizure after decreasing medication under your physician’s advice and supervision. You may drive once you have resumed taking your previous medication at the prescribed dosage.

For more detailed information, you can consult this Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administration (CCMTA) document: Determining Driver Fitness in Canada.

If your doctor has already submitted a report to the Ministry, then you will usually receive a request from the Ministry either to provide detailed medical information within a reasonable time frame or to have your license suspended. This is usually the case, which allows the Ministry to confirm whether a suspension is warranted.

Alternatively, the Ministry may choose to send a notice of suspension with a letter of explanation instead.

For more information about the medical review process and your driver’s license, you can refer to this MTO brochure. You can also refer to this page which contains answers to a list of frequently asked questions about the medical review process.

Reinstating a license after suspensionExpand Reinstating a license after suspension Section

When reinstating your licence or appealing the decision to suspend your licence, you may consider the following options:

  1. You may submit further medical information with the aid of your physician.The Ministry requires a detailed favourable report from a treating physician or specialist on the physician’s letterhead. The report must be specific to the condition reported and the history details already on file. Provide all the details of your condition including history, treatment, compliance, control and the results of any tests or investigations. The report should include:
    • the results of all investigations initiated by the doctor,
    • the cause for the seizure, prescribed treatment, and
    • current status with confirmation that no further seizures have occurred.

    The Ministry will not reinstate your license unless it has full disclosure of your condition and its stability. Upon receiving the requested information, the case will be reviewed and the driver will be notified of a decision (by mail) within approximately two to six weeks.

  2. You may discuss your suspension face-to-face with a Ministry of Transportation representative at an Administrative Review. This is an opportunity to provide in your own words any information you believe the Ministry did not know or consider when making their decision. To arrange an appointment, you may contact the Driver Improvement Office of the Ministry of Transportation.
  3. You may also put your case down on paper, send it to the Ministry and ask for a reply. Be sure to state clearly in your covering letter that you want your written submission to substitute for attending an Administrative Review.If these steps are unsuccessful and you still don’t agree with any decision made by the MTO, then you have the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.For more information, you can visit the Licence Appeal Tribunal’s website, their FAQ page, and their collection of information sheets. Additional information about the medical review process and the relevant committees can be found on the MTO’s website.

If you require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the Driver Improvement Office, Medical Review Section of the Ministry of Transportation.

Useful Agencies and OrganizationsExpand Useful Agencies and Organizations Section

Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH) Disability Law Centre
416-482-8255
1-866-482-2724

Law Society of Upper Canada – Lawyer Referral Service
416-947-3330 (within GTA)
1-800-268-8326

Ontario Ministry of Transportation – Driver Improvement
Medical Review Section: 416-235-1773 or 1-800-268-1481

Ontario Human Rights Commission
Head Office: 416-314-4500
Human Rights Inquiries: (416) 326-9511 or 1-800-387-9080

Financial Services Commission of Ontario – Ontario Insurance Commission
416-250-6750
1-800-668-0128

Legal Aid Ontario
416-979-1446 or 1-800-668-8258
GTA Office: 416-598-0200 or 1-800-668-8258

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care
416-327-4327
1-800-268-1153

For information relevant to commercial truck drivers, click here.

For information about electric bikes or e-bikes, including e-bike regulations, click here.