1. Driving when you have Diabetes
Jo Dalton
Diabetes Specialist Nurse
With thanks to Haley Faulds, DSN from Southampton Hospital Diabetes Transition Service

2. Goals of diabetes education
Young people should be advised how to:
Applying for a license
Declare a medical condition
Refer to the most current DVLA guidance
Drive safely
Who wants to learn to drive?
Who is learning or already driving?
This session will focus on what I’m required to discuss with you about driving safely and will detail your responsibilities

3. Applying for your first license
Must tell DVLA if treated with insulin
Use form DIAB1 online.
Prosecuted and/or fined if you don’t
By law you must notify. Focus on Group ! Drivers.
Just consider Group 1 in this session but will give you a leaflet with further information.
Diabetes.co.uk have a video guide to filling in forms
HANDOUT OF THIS PAGE

4. This declaration confirms by way of your signature that you comply with the regulations and those of your health care professionals

5. Car Insurance Must inform Having Diabetes doesn’t stop you driving
Issue- driving under influence medicines
Restricted license 1-3 years
Premiums may be higher so shop around
Keep your insurer up to date with changes.
Insurance will be invalid if you don’t
Must declare even if not asked by the insurance company

6. Hypoglycaemia management
Prevention
Don’t skip meals, don’t bolus without CHO
Check blood glucose within 30 minutes of start of journey
> 5 mmols to drive
Check every 2 hours whilst driving
Carry:
Glucometer
hypo treatment kit
CHO snack
Check time and date correct in glucometer
Main concern of DVLA is the possibility that you may hypo whilst driving.. Hypos can affect your ability to drive as may cause a lack of concentration , disorientation or confusion. DVLA says check BG within 2 hours but we recommend within 30 mins.
Don’t delay responding to hypo symptoms. Many accidents have occurred because drivers don’t take breaks or ignore early warning signs like hunger, headache.

7. If hypoglycaemia occurs
Inform passenger
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so
Leave driving seat- remove keys from ignition
Get into passenger seat/sit on verge.
Confirm Hypoglycaemia
Treat and re-check in 15 mins
Don’t drive for 45 mins
Check blood glucose before driving
If it is unsafe to move from driver’s seat, apply hand brake, put car in neutral and remove keys from ignition and throw them into the passenger seat foot-well.

8. What if you have an accident?
Check blood glucose as soon as you can.
If you hypo at the wheel must inform DVLA
You could be charged with a driving offence if you cant prove that you have checked blood glucose.
Checking BG even if accident isn’t your fault so you can prove what your blood glucose was at the time.

9. Carrying ID Medical alert on Apple devices Wrist bands Necklaces
Card in wallet/purse
Important to carry ID if you are involved in accident

10. Notifying DVLA of changes
Changes that occur between renewals:
Must inform if have:
More than one severe hypo in 12 months.
Develop hypo unawareness
Suffer a disabling hypo whilst driving
Problems with vision
Problems with sensation in your feet
Changes should be reported when they happen.

11. If you have been advised not to drive
Inform the DVLA Your Doctor is duty bound to inform the DVLA if you don’t.

12. Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t drive you just have to plan in advance and keep up to date with DVLA guidance
Keep yourself and other road users safe
At the moment a sensor glucose reading is not acceptable. It must be a finger prick blood glucose test on your meter

13. Any questions?