Driving (and loss of awareness of hypoglycaemia)

The DVLA states in appendix INF188/2 of "At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive"

YOU MUST INFORM TO THE DVLA IF:

• you suffer more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia (needing the assistance of another person) within the last 12 months. For Group 2 drivers (bus/lorry) one episode of severe hypoglycaemia must be reported immediately. You must also tell us if you or your medical team feels you are at high risk of developing hypoglycaemia
• you develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. (difficulty in recognising the warning symptoms of low blood sugar)
• you suffer severe hypoglycaemia while driving
• an existing medical condition gets worse or you develop any other condition that may affect you driving safely

The risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is the main hazard to safe driving. Patients must be informed that warning signs of hypoglycaemia should not be ignored and if they are experiencing warning signs while driving must stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible (1).

Group 1 entitlement:

• insulin treated
  • must have awareness of hypoglycaemia.
  • must not have had more than one episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person in the preceding twelve months
  • there must be appropriate blood glucose monitoring
    
    
• on tablet medication that carry a risk of hypoglycaemia such as sulphonylureas and gliptides
  • must not have had more than one episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person within the preceding 12 months.
  • may be appropriate to monitor blood glucose regularly and at times relevant to driving to enable the detection of hypoglycaemia
  • must be under regular medical review
    
    
• managed by medication other than sulphonylureas and glinides and non insulin injections
  • if all the requirements set out in INF188/2 are met, and they are under regular medical review, DVLA does not require notification

Severe hypoglycaemia (2)

The law defines 'severe' as an episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person.

Group 1 drivers - episodes of hypoglycaemia occurring during established sleep are no longer considered relevant for licensing purposes unless there are concerns regarding their hypoglycaemia awareness.

Group 2 drivers - must report all episodes of severe hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person.

For more details guidance may be obtained from the publication "At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive" and the website www.dvla.gov.uk.

Reference:

• (1) DVLA (March 2013). At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive
• (2) DVLA (March 2019). At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive