Driving and Diabetes
Being on insulin does not prevent you from driving a car or a motorbike as long as your diabetes is well controlled, and that your doctor feels that you are safe to drive.
You must be able to know the symptoms of low blood sugar or Hypoglycaemia.
You must be able to read, with your glasses or contact lenses if necessary, a car number plate in good light at 20.5 metres (67 feet) or 20 metres (65 feet) where the detail is smaller (50mm numbers/letters).
You MUST inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Northern Ireland, DVLNI as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed.
You MUST also inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Northern Ireland, DVLNI if;
- you require laser treatment to both eyes or the remaining eye if one eye only to treat Diabetic eye disease, Retinopathy;
- or if you have laser to a single eye and you only have vision in one eye;
- you have any other serious vision impairment to one or both eyes;
- you develop problems with the circulation or sensation in the legs, which make it necessary for you to drive certain types of vehicles only, eg automatic vehicles or vehicles with modifications such as a hand operated accelerator brake;
- you have an existing medical condition which gets worse deteriorates or you develop any other condition which may affect safe driving at any time in the future.
Special advice for Commercial Vehicle drivers with Diabetes
HGV/PCV – Driver treated with insulin
Since 1 April 1991 new applicants on insulin or existing drivers on insulin are not permitted to hold a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) or Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) license.
A person with a HGV or PCV license will therefore have their license withdrawn if they progress to treatment with insulin.
Drivers who have diabetes and are controlling their condition with insulin licensed before 1 April 1991 are the only exceptions to this rule. These cases are dealt with individually. Licenses are granted as long as there is a satisfactory annual medical assessment.
HGV/PCV - Driver treated with diet and/or tablets
A person holding a HGV or PCV license whose diabetes is controlled with diet and/or tablets need not notify the DVLNI and can legally hold a these licenses unless they develop problems with vision or develop other medical problems.
A guide for drivers with diabetes treated with diet and/or tablets
Having diabetes treated by diet and or tablets does not prevent you from driving a car or a motorbike (group one), as long as your diabetes is well controlled, and that your doctors feel that you are safe to drive. You should normally be able to retain your licence until the age of 70.
You MUST inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Northern Ireland, DVLNI if;
- you require treatment with insulin;
- you require laser treatment to both eyes or the remaining eye if one only to treat Diabetic eye disease, Retinopathy;
- you have laser to a single eye and you only have vision in one eye;
- you have any other serious vision impairment to one or both eyes;
- you develop problems with circulation or sensation in the legs, which make it necessary for you to drive certain types of vehicles only, eg automatic vehicles or vehicles with a modification such as a hand operated accelerator brake;
- you have an existing medical condition which gets worse deteriorates or you develop any other condition which may affect safe driving at any time in the future.
Hypoglycaemia and Driving
If you feel Hypoglycaemia coming on
- STOP driving as soon as it is safe to do so.
- IMMEDIATELY take glucose tablets, a sugary drink or sweets.
- Follow this by taking a longer acting carbohydrate e.g, biscuits or crisps.
- Check your blood sugar
- Do not resume driving for 40 minutes after blood sugar is above 4mmol/l
Try to avoid low blood sugars while driving by;
- Always carry sugary foods in the car
- Not driving for more than 2 hours without eating a snack
- Not missing, or delaying a meal or snack
- Checking your blood sugar levels before each journey
- Carrying identification both on yourself and in your car that you have diabetes.
You should NOT drive if you;
- Have difficultly recognising the early signs of hypoglycaemia
- Have problems with your eyesight, which are not corrected with glasses
- Have numbness or weakness in your limbs
- Have been drinking any alcohol
Motor Vehicle Insurance and Diabetes
Whether diet, tablets or insulin controls your diabetes, you must inform your insurance company as soon as you develop diabetes, for your car insurance to be valid.
Some companies may refuse cover, impose special terms or charge an increased premium if their statistics show that drivers with diabetes are at higher risk. If this happens, it is worth challenging your insurer, especially if your diabetes is stable and well controlled.