There has been a renewed focus on the need for people who suffer seizures, as a result of epilepsy, to stop driving immediately and to advise the DVLA, to ensure that they do not put themselves or other road users at risk.

GPs have also been advised one again that they need to ignore confidentiality agreements and inform the DVLA if any such patients continue to drive when their driving ability could be compromised.

The General Medical Council’s guidelines state that GPs have a responsibility to advise people against driving if they have conditions including epilepsy and dementia, as well as the more obvious sight or hearing problems.

Professor Sander, medical director at Epilepsy Society, said: “This is already the case with epilepsy. If someone is having seizures they are obliged to notify the DVLA and stop driving.

“If they refuse, the physician can break patient confidentiality and tell medical advisers at the DVLA. This is because they are not only putting themselves at risk, they are endangering members of the public.

“The physician should always inform the person that they will be notifying the DVLA themselves.”

If the DVLA realises that someone with ongoing seizures has been driving without updating them on the situation, it is likely that they will face an immediate fine and have their licence revoked.

The General Medical Council will publish a final version of its guidance next year.