What is Diabetes and How Do I Know That I Have It?
The food and drink which we consume is converted by the body into glucose to provide energy to the body. Insulin is the hormone which regulates our glucose levels. With Diabetes, either not enough Insulin is produced or the body is not able to use Insulin effectively which results in high levels of glucose. The high levels of glucose causes damage to the tissues and organs of the body – affecting your heart, kidneys and circulation, all of which are relevant to safe driving.
Signs that you may have Diabetes include: –
- Frequent urination;
- Tiredness;
- Very dry mouth/excessive thirst;
- Very dry skin;
Ultimately a blood test is required to properly make a diagnosis. For those who really want to know more, this link is helpful: –
Driving and Diet-Controlled Diabetes
For those with a bus/lorry licence you do NOT need to inform the DVLA. You should ensure that you have at very least annual checks with your GP practice as Diabetes controlled by diet alone can progress to requiring medication.
The DVLA publish guidance in the form of leaflet INF188/5 which can be found at this link
Driving and Diabetes Controlled with Non-Insulin Medication
You certainly must tell the DVLA if your Diabetes requires medication to control it (i.e. diet modifications alone are not enough to control it). DVLA publish leaflet INF188/2 about this which can be downloaded here
Medications fall into several categories: –
Sulphonylureas
These help the pancreas make more Insulin. More information can be found here. DVLA are interested in these medications because they sometimes cause Insulin to make the glucose levels too low and so you have hypoglycaemia – known as a “hypo” which can impair your ability to drive.
Gliclazide also known as Dacadis, Diamicron, Edicil, Glydex, Laaglyda, Lamzarin, Nazdol, Vamju, Ziclaseg, Zicron. Details of these medications can be found here
Glipizide, also known as Glucotrol
Glimepiride, also known as Amaryl
Glinides
These stimulate the pancreas to make more Insulin. Read more about them here
Examples of Glinide medication are: –
Repaglinide, also known as Prandin
Nateglinide, also known as Starlix
If you are treated with either Sulphonylurea or Glinide medications then you must inform the DVLA using form VDIAB1SG which can be found here
Other Medication to Treat Diabetes
Aside from the groups of medication above, many people are prescribed other medications such as: –
Metformin
Pioglitazone
Dapagliflozin (Forxiga),
Empagliflozin (Jardiance),
Canagliflozin (Invokana)
You must inform the DVLA – use form VDIAB1GEN which can be found here
Non-Insulin Injections for Diabetes
As well as modifying diet and taking tablets, some drivers will also find themselves being prescribed injections which are not Insulin. Examples of these include: –
Exenatide (Byetta)
Liraglutide (Victoza)
Lixisenatide (Lyxumia)
Semaglutide (Ozempic)
You must notify the DVLA if you are prescribed these by completing form VDIAB1GEN which can be found here
Diabetes Treated with Insulin
If you are prescribed Insulin to control you Diabetes, either on its own or in conjunction with other medication then you must stop driving and must inform the DVLA using form DIAB1 which can be found here
If you wish to apply for your bus/lorry licence and use Insulin it is still possible to obtain a licence but there are important criteria, all of which you must fulfil.
- You MUST check blood glucose/sugar levels AT LEAST twice daily, every day, even if not driving;
- You MUST have AT LEAST six weeks of readings in the memory of your blood glucose testing device for inspection;
- You can not have had an episode of low blood sugar (hypogycaemia) in the last twelve months requiring help from another person;
- You MUST have full awareness of low blood sugar;
- You MUST have annual reviews with a specialist.
Additionally, you must always keep fast acting carbohydrates with you at all times and must sign an agreement stating that you will comply with all treatment and advice and also to inform the DVLA if there are any significant changes.
Flash GM and RT-CGM interstitial fluid glucose monitoring systems
There is a legal requirement for Group 2 drivers to monitor their blood glucose for the purpose of Group 2 driving. Flash GM and RT-CGM interstitial fluid glucose monitoring systems are not permitted for the purposes of Group 2 driving and licensing. Group 2 drivers who use these devices must continue to monitor finger prick capillary blood glucose levels with the regularity defined above.