The DVLA don’t discriminate between partial and full seizures in their guidance (and it’s worth pointing out that her diagnosis of “complex” partial seizures means that she loses consciousness during them).
Recurrent unexplained loss of consciousness carries guidance that driving must stop for 12 months from the date of the last attack. If there is suspicion of seizure activity (does not require a diagnosis of epilepsy), then the epilepsy guidelines apply.
Her defence that no-one told her not to drive also doesn’t hold any water. From the DVLA site: “Applicants and licence holders have a legal duty to notify the DVLA of any injury or illness that would have a likely impact on safe driving ability”. So, if you’re not sure, you should inform the DVLA and get them to make the decision.
Of course, medical professionals also have a legal duty to inform their patients not to drive. I wonder how many patients I inform of the DVLA guidance actually heed it?
Whitestone – the guidance for medical professionals is here. It’s very specific about recurrent events and the definitions of these. It says recurrent transient loss of consciousness is within 3 years of the first episode.