Diabetes, driving and the law. Your simple guide to Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requirements

Transcription

1 Diabetes, driving and the law Your simple guide to Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requirements

2 Diabetes, driving and the law Many people with diabetes drive safely and happily every day. In fact, driving may even be their profession. However, if you have diabetes and wish to drive, it is important to know the law and how it affects you. This will help to keep you as safe as possible, as well as making sure you aren t prosecuted for illegal driving. This leaflet has been produced to help explain your rights and responsibilities as a driver with diabetes. Do you need to inform the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)? If you have a driving licence, it is probably for Group 1 vehicles i.e. the usual licence for cars and some types of motorcycle that most people hold. If this is the case, you do not need to automatically inform the DVLA if your diabetes is treated by diet alone or by diet, tablets and/or non-insulin injections (e.g. exenatide). However, the law requires you to inform the DVLA as soon as possible if: You are treated with insulin, alone or in combination with tablets You have a complication of diabetes, such as eye problems or nerve damage to your legs or feet You have a problem with your vision or require laser treatment or injections for your eyes You develop any problems with the circulation or sensation in your legs or feet which means you can only drive certain types of vehicles e.g. automatic vehicles or those with a hand operated accelerator or brake There are changes in your medical condition or treatment e.g. you start using insulin You currently experience severe hypoglycaemia* (low blood sugar) or have had more than one episode of this in the past 12 months You or your carer feels that you are at high risk of developing severe hypoglycaemia 2

3 You have difficulty recognising the warning signs of hypoglycaemia (see section below entitled Hypoglycaemia ) An existing medical condition gets worse or you develop any other condition which may affect safe driving *Note severe hypoglycaemia is defined as an episode requiring the assistance of another person To notify the DVLA you ll need to fill in and return a medical questionnaire form called a DIAB1 (see Further information at the end of this leaflet). The DVLA will then look at your individual circumstances and let you know if any further action is needed. Safe driving You should carry your blood glucose meter and test strips with you, and check your blood glucose before driving on any journey, and at frequent intervals (every 2 hours) on longer journeys. If your blood glucose is less than 5.0 mmol/l before you start a journey, make sure that you have a snack and do not start driving until your blood glucose has been sustained above 5.0 mmol/l for at least 45 minutes. It can take up to 45 minutes for your brain to recover after a period of low blood glucose, during which time your responses will be slower. The DVLA advises that you carry a supply of fast-acting carbohydrate within easy reach in your vehicle (for example glucose tablets). 3

4 Hypoglycaemia Hypoglycaemia also known as a hypo is the medical word for low blood glucose. In other words, the amount of sugar in the blood is too low for the body to work as it normally would when enough sugar is available. Hypoglycaemia can cause a person to feel tired, dizzy and confused, have blurred vision and even pass out completely. The risk of hypoglycaemia is the main danger to safe driving in people with diabetes who are treated with insulin, tablets or both of these. Many of the accidents caused by hypoglycaemia happen because people carry on driving even though they get one or more of the early warning signs of the condition: Feeling confused, weak or tired Feeling irritable or anxious Feeling hungry Sweating Having shakiness or trembling Having a headache Awareness of heart beating faster than usual Having tingling lips If you have any of these early signs of hypoglycaemia, stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so and secure your vehicle. Then have a sugary drink or snack, such as fruit juice or biscuits. After this, eat something containing starch, such as a sandwich or piece of fruit or eat your next meal if this is due. Only continue driving when you feel totally fine again, your blood glucose has returned to normal and has stayed in the normal range for at least 45 minutes. If in any doubt, do not drive and seek medical assistance. 4

5 Licence to drive large vehicles such as buses or lorries A Group 2 licence is required to drive large lorries (Category C) and buses (Category D). The medical standards that must be met for a Group 2 licence are much higher than those for a Group 1 licence, because of the additional size and weight of the vehicles. If you are treated with non-insulin medication that may cause hypoglycaemia If you hold a Group 2 licence and take sulphonylureas (e.g. glibenclamide or gliclazide) or tablets from the prandial glucose regulator group of medicines (e.g. nateglinide or repaglinide) you must notify the DVLA, as these increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. Other tablets for diabetes tend not to increase the risk of hypoglycaemia when used alone, but may do so when used in combination with other medicines. To make sure you meet legal requirements, ask your doctor or diabetes nurse to confirm which type of tablets you take and whether the DVLA should be notified as part of holding a Group 2 licence. You must also notify the DVLA if there is any change in your condition. To notify the DVLA, complete and return a DIABV1 form (see Further information at the end of this leaflet). The DVLA will then with your consent seek further information from your healthcare team. Each case is considered individually. 5

6 If you are treated with insulin From November 2011, the DVLA removed the ban on people driving Group 2 vehicles whilst receiving insulin therapy. People with diabetes treated with insulin can now undergo individual medical assessment to determine their fitness to drive these vehicles. To apply for a Group 2 licence you ll need to meet the following requirements: You have had no episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person in the previous 12 months You have full hypoglycaemia awareness You can show adequate control of your diabetes by regular blood glucose monitoring at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving using a blood glucose meter with a memory function** You have at least 3-months of blood glucose readings available for review You can demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia You have no prohibiting complications of diabetes e.g. eyesight problems **IMPORTANT you will need to take your blood glucose measurements using a blood glucose meter that has a memory function. Not all blood glucose meters have this function, so ask your doctor or diabetes nurse if you are unsure. The ability to convert data from the memory into an easy to read visual form, such as graphs and charts, is also useful for monitoring and displaying your blood glucose control. 6

7 If you can meet all of the above requirements, there are then three stages in the application process for a Group 2 licence: First stage Ask the DVLA for a D2 application form and a DIAB1V medical questionnaire, then fill these in Ask your doctor to complete a D4 Medical Examination Report (your doctor may charge a fee for this, which you are responsible for paying) Send the completed D2, DIAB1V and D4 forms to the DVLA Second stage The DVLA will send a medical questionnaire (DIAB2V or DIAB2VC) to your GP or hospital diabetes consultant, depending on which one you saw most recently The DVLA will pay if your GP or consultant charges a fee for completing this questionnaire Third stage The DVLA will arrange for a hospital consultant specialising in diabetes to examine and assess you At this examination, the consultant will need to see 3-months of blood glucose readings taken with a meter that has a memory function This diabetes consultant will then complete a report and send it to the DVLA The DVLA will issue a Group 2 licence if you meet their medical requirements and have passed the relevant driving test Annual assessment once a Group 2 licence has been granted Every 12 months the DVLA will arrange an examination by an independent hospital consultant who specialises in diabetes. At this examination the consultant will need to see blood glucose records for the previous 3-months, showing testing at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving, obtained using a blood glucose meter with a memory function. The licence holder must notify the DVLA immediately if there is any change in their condition. 7

8 Further information Further information is available in the following DVLA publications: Leaflet INF188/2. Information for drivers with diabetes treated by non insulin medication, diet, or both. DVLA. Leaflet INS186. A guide for drivers with insulin treated diabetes who wish to apply for vocational entitlement (C1, C1E, D1, D1E, C, CE, D or DE). DVLA. Visit to download these leaflets, get more information online and access the notification forms mentioned above. You can also contact the DVLA by post, telephone, fax or Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1TU Tel.: Fax: eftd@dvla.gsi.gov.uk Bayer Diabetes Care is dedicated to providing blood glucose meters and support materials designed to simplify the lives of people with diabetes and healthcare professionals. Sign up to the website for free access to a range of tools and support materials to help you manage your diabetes. Tel: Bayer plc. All rights reserved. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and simplewins are trademarks of Bayer 01/13 v1 0113DRIVHCF