Pennsylvania suspends your license for at least six months after a seizure, but the exact timeline depends on whether you report it and what your doctor says
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) must suspend your license if you have a seizure disorder or experience a seizure while driving. The suspension is automatic — you do not have to be convicted of anything, and the seizure does not have to happen behind the wheel. The state treats seizures as a medical safety issue, not a traffic violation.
The minimum suspension period is six months from the date PennDOT receives notice of your seizure. However, you can request reinstatement before six months are up if you have medical clearance from a neurologist or your primary care doctor. The doctor must confirm that your seizure disorder is controlled or that the seizure was a one-time event unlikely to recur. If your doctor will not clear you, the suspension continues until they will.
If you do not report the seizure and PennDOT finds out another way — through a hospital report, a police report, or a crash — the suspension still happens, but you lose the chance to request early reinstatement. Reporting it yourself gives you the fastest path back to driving.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania automatically suspends your license for a minimum of six months after a seizure, regardless of whether it happened while driving.
- You can request reinstatement before six months if a doctor confirms your seizure disorder is controlled or the seizure was unlikely to happen again.
- Reporting the seizure to PennDOT yourself is faster than waiting for them to find out through a hospital or police report.
- You will need a signed medical clearance letter from a neurologist or doctor before PennDOT will consider lifting the suspension.
- If you drive during the suspension period, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries fines and possible jail time.
Who reports the seizure to PennDOT
You are responsible for reporting your own seizure to PennDOT. You do this by contacting the Medical Review Unit at PennDOT's Harrisburg office or by mail. The phone number is 717-787-2828. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
If you do not report it, hospitals and emergency rooms are required to report certain seizures to PennDOT. Police may also file a report if they respond to a crash or incident involving your vehicle. Once PennDOT receives any report, the suspension takes effect automatically. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining the suspension and your options.
Reporting it yourself gives you control over the timing and lets you start the reinstatement process when ready. If you wait for a hospital or police report, there is a delay, and you may not know the suspension is coming until the notice arrives.
How to request reinstatement before six months
To request early reinstatement, you need a written medical clearance from a doctor. This letter must state that your seizure disorder is controlled by medication, or that the seizure was a one-time event caused by a temporary condition (like low blood sugar or medication interaction) that has been corrected. The letter should also confirm that you are safe to drive.
A neurologist's letter carries the most weight with PennDOT, but a letter from your primary care doctor is also acceptable if they have treated your seizure disorder or evaluated the seizure. The doctor does not need to use any special form — a standard letter on their letterhead with their signature and license number is sufficient.
Once you have the letter, send it to PennDOT's Medical Review Unit at the address provided in your suspension notice, or call 717-787-2828 to ask where to send it. Include a copy of your driver's license and a brief explanation of your situation. PennDOT will review the letter and notify you by mail whether your suspension is lifted. This process typically takes two to four weeks.
What happens if you drive during the suspension
Driving with a suspended license in Pennsylvania is a separate criminal offense. If you are stopped or involved in a crash while your license is suspended for medical reasons, you can be charged with driving with a suspended or revoked license. This is a misdemeanor charge that carries a fine of $200 to $500 and possible jail time of up to 90 days.
A conviction also extends your suspension period. PennDOT may add additional months to your suspension or require additional medical clearance before considering reinstatement. If you are in an accident while driving suspended, your insurance may deny coverage, leaving you personally liable for damages.
If you need to drive during the suspension — for work, medical appointments, or family emergencies — contact PennDOT's Medical Review Unit to ask about a limited license or hardship exemption. These are rarely granted for seizure-related suspensions, but it is worth asking about your specific situation.
Seizures caused by medication or temporary conditions
If your seizure was caused by a medication side effect, a missed dose, low blood sugar, or another temporary medical event, you may be able to get reinstatement faster. The key is having your doctor document what caused the seizure and confirm that the cause has been corrected.
For example, if you had a seizure because you missed doses of your anti-seizure medication and you have now restarted the medication with your doctor's supervision, your doctor can write a letter explaining this. Similarly, if a new medication caused a seizure and you have stopped taking it, that can be documented. PennDOT will still require the six-month minimum, but you can request reinstatement as soon as your doctor clears you.
If the seizure was a true one-time event with no underlying seizure disorder — for instance, a high fever in a young child, or a seizure during a serious infection — your doctor can state that in the letter. This strengthens your case for early reinstatement, though PennDOT may still require you to wait the full six months before reviewing your request.
What to do if you have a seizure while driving
If you have a seizure while behind the wheel, pull over safely if you can. If you cannot, let the vehicle slow to a stop. Do not try to keep driving or steer during the seizure. After the seizure ends, stay where you are and call 911 or ask someone nearby to call for you.
Tell the paramedics and police that you had a seizure. This is important because it distinguishes the incident from reckless driving or impairment. The police report will document the medical cause, which helps when you later contact PennDOT about reinstatement.
Even if you were not injured and the vehicle was not damaged, a seizure while driving must be reported to PennDOT. Do this within a few days of the incident. The sooner you report it and get your doctor's clearance letter, the sooner you can request reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary license to drive to work or medical appointments during the suspension?
Pennsylvania does not routinely grant temporary or hardship licenses for medical suspensions related to seizures. However, you can contact PennDOT's Medical Review Unit at 717-787-2828 to request one and explain your situation. They will consider it, but approval is uncommon. Using rideshare, public transit, or asking someone else to drive is usually the expected solution during the suspension period.
What if I had a seizure but I was not driving at the time?
Pennsylvania still suspends your license if you have a seizure disorder, even if the seizure did not happen while you were driving. The state considers any seizure disorder a medical risk factor for driving. The suspension applies the same way: minimum six months, with the option to request early reinstatement if your doctor clears you.
Do I have to tell my insurance company about the suspension?
Yes. You are required to notify your auto insurance company of any license suspension. Failing to report it can give them grounds to deny a claim if you are in an accident. Your insurance rates may also increase after a suspension, even if you were not at fault for the seizure.
How long does it take to get a doctor's clearance letter?
This depends on your doctor's schedule and how quickly they can evaluate you. If you already have a neurologist or seizure specialist, they may be able to write the letter at your next appointment or after a phone consultation. If you need to schedule a new appointment, it may take several weeks. Call your doctor's office as soon as you know about the suspension and ask how quickly they can provide a letter.
What if my seizure disorder is not controlled and my doctor will not clear me?
If your seizures are not controlled, your doctor cannot clear you to drive, and PennDOT will not lift the suspension. You will need to work with your neurologist to adjust your medication or treatment plan until your seizures are controlled. Once they are, your doctor can write a clearance letter and you can request reinstatement. This process may take months, depending on how quickly your medication adjustments work.