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Driving |
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For most people, diabetes is no bar to driving. Most studies have shown that people with diabetes are no more likely than other people to have road accidents. This page provides information to help you drive safely and keep within the law.
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Driving And Insurance |
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You must by law inform the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AT (Tel: 08702 400009) when you develop diabetes if you are being treated with insulin or tablets.
You must also inform your insurance company immediately. Failure to do so may void your cover. Diabetes UK (Tel 020 7323 1531) will offer advice on insurance cover.
Providing you have reasonable diabetes control, recognise hypoglycaemia, and have satisfactory eyesight, you will be issued an ordinary Group 1 driving licence. This includes all motor cycles and cars, and lorries up to 3.5 tonnes.
Those on diet plus or minus tablets are usually given a "till 70" licence for passenger vehicles and motorbikes
Those on insulin are usually give a 1,2 or 3 year renewable licence
LGV (large goods vehicle) and PCV (passenger carrying vehicle) licences can usually be kept by those on diet plus or minus tablets but cannot be held by people on insulin.
Group II vehicles (those weighing 3.5-7.5 tonnes (C1) and minibuses (D1)) require a group II licence which cannot usually be held by people on insulin. There is now a concession on C1 vehicle for some people on insulin who meet strict standards for fitness: if you apply, you will need an annual medical examination by a consultant specialising in diabetes.
When your driving licence is due for renewal you will be sent a form to fill in by the DVLA. Your doctor may be contacted for further information about your diabetes but the DVLA doctors will make the final decision as to whether your licence may be renewed.
Diabetes UK advises that you voluntarily do not drive:
If you have just started on insulin or certain diabetes tablets
You have difficulty in recognising the early symptoms of hypoglycaemia
You have any problems with your eyesight that cannot be corrected by glasses
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When Driving |
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Points to consider before and whilst driving:
Do not drive if vision is blurred
Do not drive if there is difficulty recognising a hypo
If in doubt check your blood glucose before you go
At the first signs of a hypo, stop driving immediately, remove the ignition key, move into the passenger seat
Take sugar straight away followed by a biscuit
Do not proceed until symptoms have completely gone. Wait at least 10 minutes after the hypo is over before proceeding
If in doubt assume you are hypo and take sugar
Always carry extra carbohydrate (sugar, Lucozade, biscuits) in the vehicle within easy reach for use in an emergency - you may break down, get stuck in traffic, get a flat tyre etc.
Don't go on long journeys without food
Stop for meals and snacks at appropriate times
If you have any severe hypos (needing help from another person) or lose your hypo warnings, you must contact the DVLA.
Never drink and drive
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