DVLA: diabetes mellitus

Until recently people with diabetes who used insulin could not hold a HGV licence. The DVLA changed the rules in October 2011. The following standards need to be met (and also apply to patients using other hypoglycaemic inducing drugs such as sulfonylureas):

• there has not been any severe hypoglycaemic event in the previous 12 months
• the driver has full hypoglycaemic awareness
• the driver must show adequate control of the condition by regular blood glucose monitoring*, at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving
• the driver must demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia
• here are no other debarring complications of diabetes

From a practical point of view patients on insulin who want to apply for a Group 2 (HGV) licence need to complete a VDIAB1I form.

Other specific points for group 1 drivers:

• if on insulin then patient can drive a car as long as they have hypoglycaemic awareness, not more than one episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person within the preceding 12 months and no relevant visual impairment. Drivers are normally contacted by DVLA
• if on tablets or exenatide no need to notify DVLA. If tablets may induce hypoglycaemia (e.g. sulfonylureas) then there must not have been more than one episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person within the preceding 12 months
• if diet controlled alone then no requirement to inform DVLA

*to demonstrate adequate control, the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Diabetes Mellitus has recommended that applicants will need to have used blood glucose meters with a memory function to measure and record blood glucose levels for at least 3 months prior to submitting their application