The concordance between DVLA guidance and diagnostic outcomes of a first seizure clinic

<h3>Purpose</h3> Patients experiencing a single unprovoked seizure must inform the DVLA and a six-month driving ban is generally imposed. We aimed to identify patients referred to our first seizure clinic (FSC) who were told to inform the DVLA of events subsequently diagnosed as seizure mimics. <h3>Methods</h3> Correspondence of patients referred to FSC between January and July 2023 was reviewed to ascertain driving status and whether concordant DVLA guidance was initially given for the FSC diagnostic outcome provided. Where driving status was undocumented, patients were assumed to drive. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 157 patients referred, 118 were drivers. Twenty-five (21%) were told to inform the DVLA they had experienced an epileptic seizure which was concordant with the FSC diagnosis. Twenty-seven (23%) had received discordant DVLA advice given their FSC diagnosis was of a seizure mimic. Forty-four (37%) had no documentation detailing the provision of DVLA advice. Sixteen (14%) were told not to tell the DVLA but asked not to drive until review in FSC. <h3>Conclusions</h3> DVLA advice is not always provided on referral. However, when discussed the diagnosis is frequently overturned. We advocate referrers inform patients not to drive until reviewed in FSC, where further instruction regarding the DVLA can be provided.