We believe that all people with diabetes should be able to hold a driving licence if they meet medical fitness criteria.
We recognise that some people with diabetes are at greater risk when driving. This is usually because of problems with hypoglycaemia or eyesight. Restrictions on driving licences mostly only apply to people with diabetes who are treated with insulin.
We have written this position statement (PDF, 894KB) to set out what the rules are for people with diabetes when driving and also to explain the work we do with the DVLA to ensure that the rules are fair and reasonable.
Diabetes UK works with the DVLA and the Secretary of State’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes to ensure that people with diabetes who drive do not experience unfair discrimination in the licensing process and that rules on diabetes and driving are reasonable, safe, efficient and transparent.
We have worked with the DVLA in the past to address a number of concerns that have been raised with us by people with diabetes and health care professionals.
Current concerns are:
- That the licence application and assessment process for people who drive for a living and require a Group 2 licence can be too long and onerous and in some cases means that a diagnosis of diabetes or change of treatment could lead to someone losing their job.
- The three year licence given to people treated with insulin is too restrictive. We want the DVLA and Secretary of State’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on diabetes to allow licences for longer than three years for people with diabetes who are treated with insulin.
There is more detail in the full position statement (PDF, 894KB)
There is also more information on the rules for driving with diabetes on our driving and diabetes page.
