Having diabetes does not mean that you need to give up driving. But it does mean that you need to plan in advance before you get behind the wheel. This information can help you ensure that your driving is safe and hazard-free.
If you require further information, please see the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website (or the DVA in Northern Ireland), or call our Careline.
Diabetes UK has been campaigning for many years to ensure that you will be able to continue driving safely and without any unnecessary restrictions to your freedom to drive.
Group 2 licences
From 15 November, the DVLA have now removed the ban for people on insulin driving Group 2 vehicles (larger vehicles, and some passenger-carrying vehicles) and people can now undergo individual medical assessment to assess their fitness to drive these vehicles. Recent letters from the DVLA set out the details:
DVLA Memory meter letter (July 2011) – PDF, 77KB
DVLA Second letter (September 2011) – PDF, 89KB
DVLA Third letter (October 2011) – PDF, 84KB
In Northern Ireland it is anticipated that the blanket ban on driving taxis for people treated with insulin will be lifted by the end of the year. Changes to allow people treated with insulin to drive other Group 2 vehicles (lorries and buses) are likely to be introduced next year.
Group 1 licences
There have also been recent changes which affect the assessment criteria for people applying for a licence to drive cars and motorbikes (Group 1 vehicles).
Diabetes UK stresses that there is no evidence that drivers with diabetes pose a greater risk than others, if all necessary precautions are taken. However, we do have concerns: we have found that some people who had driven safely for many years have recently lost their licences because of these changes.
What you can do
If your diabetes is treated with insulin or other medication that can cause hypoglycaemia, you should take all the recommended precautions when you drive to ensure that you are safe – see our information on hypoglycaemia.
It is a good idea to note down the date of any severe hypoglycaemia event – defined as "requiring the assistance of another person" – and to inform your consultant or GP and ensure that they record this too.