Regarding group 1 entitlement:
Diabetes treated by medication other than insulin
- managed by tablets carrying hypoglycaemia risk
- Group 1
- Including sulphonylureas and glinides
- may drive and need not notify the DVLA, provided:
- no more than 1 episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in the last 12 months and the most recent episode occurred more than 3 months ago
- should practise appropriate glucose monitoring at times relevant to driving
- under regular review
- it is appropriate to offer self monitoring of blood glucose at times relevant to driving to enable the detection of hypoglycaemia
- if the above requirements and those set out in INF188/2 are met, the DVLA need not be informed. The DVLA must be notified if clinical information indicates the agency may need to undertake medical enquiries
- managed by other medication, including non-insulin injectables
- excluding sulphonylureas and glinides
- may drive and need not notify the DVLA, provided the requirements set out in INF188/2 are met and the driver is under regular medical review.
- may drive but must notify the DVLA if clinical information indicates the agency may need to undertake medical enquiries
Diabetes managed by diet/lifestyle alone
- Group 1
- may drive and need not notify the DVLA. Must not drive and must notify the DVLA if, for example
- relevant disqualifying complications develop such as diabetic retinopathy affecting visual acuity or visual fields
- insulin treatment is required
Other specific diabetes related problems where the DVLA needs to be informed:
- if a patient develops any problems with the circulation or sensation in his/her legs or feet which make it necessary for him/her to drive certain types of vehicles only, for example automatic vehicles or vehicle a hand operated accelerator or brake. This must be noted on his/her driving licence
- hypoglycaemia
- if more than one episode of disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) within 12 months, or if at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia
- 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 (1)
- if develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia
- if suffer disabling hypoglycaemia while driving
For more details and up to date 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: