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Hypos and driving

Hypos and driving

The result of hypoglycaemia is the main danger when driving. If your diabetes is treated with insulin, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) advises that you should check your blood glucose levels before driving, and every two hours whilst driving.

If you have a Group 2 licence (bus/lorry) and take medication which carries a risk of causing hypoglycaemia, the DVLA states that you must monitor blood glucose levels at least twice a day at times relevant to driving (using a meter with a memory function).

Dealing with a hypo

If you feel you may go hypo, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, stop the car, and remove the keys from the ignition. Leave the driving seat and treat your hypo in the usual way.

Do not attempt to start driving again until you are sure your blood glucose levels have risen again.

If you have a hypo when driving, the DVLA guidance is that you do not resume driving until 45 minutes after your blood glucose has retuned to normal.

Reviewed: July 2012
Next review: October 2013

> http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Complications/Hypoglycaemia/Hypos_and_driving/

Diabetes UK Central Office, Macleod House, 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA
© Diabetes UK 2013 Registered charity no. 215199.

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