Home   Start here  About Diabetes  About Diabetic Info  About Paul  Acupressure  Advice  Alcohol  Arctic Medical  Books   Cholesterol  Complications  Contacts  Depression   Diabetes UK  Diet  Discovery of Insulin  Disclaimer  Donations  Downloads  DVLA & Driving   
 Edwarda O’Bara  Equipment  Exercise   Eye Screening    Family & Friends   Famous Diabetics  FAQ  Feedback   From 2 to 4  Gallery 
  Garlic   Gift Ideas  Glycaemic Index  Gout  Help You Can Receive  Hendrix Woke Me  Hypo’s  IDDT  Illness    Info Sheets    Injections    Insurance   Joining DUK  Ketoacidosis  Leonard Thompson  Links  Link Exchange    Mind Map Symptoms   Newly Diagnosed Diabetic  
 Oliver Double  Product Reviews   Putting Yourself First    Quick History  Research  SITE MAP   Snacks  Snack Carb Amounts  
  Statistics    Stop Smoking  Store    Symptoms Posters    Test Tips  Travel   Type 2  UK to US Blood Sugar Chart  Vitamins

Diabetes and Driving

You will need to inform the DVLA that you have been diagnosed a Diabetic.

This is a legal requirement.

What normally happens is that they grant you a driving licence for three years, which will then be renewed subject to satisfactory medical checks.

The details you need are:

DVLA Medical Lines 0300 790 6806

The medical section of the DVLA, are very knowledgeable, efficient and understanding
and they will do their best to help you.

If newly diagnosed, you should refrain from driving until your diabetes is under control and once you are able to drive again, avoid long tiring journeys. Take regular breaks and stop immediately
if you feel unwell or suspect a hypo.

Before driving it is recommended that you test yourself - this is because you can be charged with being under the influence of a drug, driving without due care and attention and dangerous driving should you have a hypo at the wheel that causes an accident. This is important for everyone's safety including your own.

If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident when driving - take your blood sugar level, if you are able to, as having a reading at the time of the incident could help protect you in the event of a claim. It is also a good idea to carry a disposable camera in your glove box to take pictures of the scene, which will help prove who was at fault later on.