Diabetes, driving and insurance

Having diabetes, however it is treated, does not prevent you driving a car or a motorbike. As long as your diabetes is well controlled, and your doctor says you are safe to drive, there is no reason why you cannot be issued with, or retain, a driving licence. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) must by law be informed about your diabetes if you are treated with insulin or tablets. You must also tell them if you are already on tablets or insulin and are applying for a driving licence for the first time. You do not need to tell the DVLA about your diabetes if you are treated by diet alone (unless you live in Northern Ireland) but you must tell them if you start taking tablets or change from tablets to insulin treatment.

Driving and Work

If your diabetes is treated by diet only or by diet and tablets you can hold a licence to drive a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or to drive a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV). Since April 1991 it has been against the law to issue either of these licences to a person who is insulin treated. If you choose a profession requiring either an LGV or PCV licence, you should be advised that you would automatically lose your licence if you need insulin at any time. Local councils issue licences for taxi cabs and minicabs and their policies vary throughout the UK.

Telling the DVLA

If you are applying for a licence, answer YES to the question asking if you have diabetes.
If you already hold a driving licence, write a letter to the DVLA telling them about your diabetes and treatment. When asked to give details, say whether your diabetes is treated with insulin or tablets.
If you are treated with insulin you will then be sent another form ("Diabetic 1") asking for more information, the name and address of your GP or hospital doctor and for your consent to approach your doctor directly if necessary. People treated with tablets are not always sent this form. This does not mean you will be refused a licence to drive a car or motorbike but the DLVA must be sure you are safe to drive.
If you are treated with insulin, your licence will be issued for 1, 2 or 3 years. Just before your licence expires you will receive a reminder to renew and maybe also another Diabetic 1 form to complete with up-to-date information. Renewals are free of charge.
If you are treated with tablets you will be issued with a full licence, providing that you do not have any other medical condition which might prevent this. There is a charge for renewing this licence after 70, just as for anyone else in the UK who is over 70.
You must inform the DVLA if any problems or diabetic complications develop which may affect your safety to drive.

NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE

How can I drive safely?

You should not drive if you

Have difficulty recognising the early signs of your hypos.
Have problems with your eyesight which are not corrected with glasses.
Have numbness or weakness in your limbs.

If you are worried about any of these points, talk to your diabetes care team.

What about driving and low blood sugars?

Try to avoid low blood sugars while driving by

Always carrying carbohydrate food in your car.
Not driving for more than two hours without eating a snack.
Not missing or delaying a meal or snack.
Checking your blood sugar levels before and during your journey.
Carrying identification both on yourself and in your car. (Identify yourself as having diabetes.)

If you feel hypo when driving STOP driving as soon as it is safe to do so. IMMEDIATELY take glucose tablets, liquid glucose (eg a non-diet drink) or sweets. Remove the ignition key and move into the passenger seat. This is to refute any suggestion that you are "under the influence of drugs" whilst in charge of a car.

If you have an accident while hypo, you should get legal advice and the support of your diabetes care team. The British Diabetic Association (BDA) has advised members in this position so contacting them can help.

What about car insurance?

For your car insurance to be valid, you must inform your insurance company as soon as you develop diabetes. If your company then wants to charge you a higher premium, get quotes from other companies for comparison. The BDA has a Motor Insurance Quoteline on 01903 262 900.

Will other types of insurance be affected by my diabetes?

They may be. The BDA has a Financial Planning Line on 0161 475 6137 and a Home Insurance Line on 01903 264464 to enable you to get quotes which take your diabetes into account but do not penalise you for it.