Do I have to tell the DVLA if I have diabetes?

It depends on how your diabetes is treated and whether you experience severe hypoglycaemia. You do NOT need to tell the DVLA if your diabetes is controlled by diet alone or by tablets/medications that cannot cause hypos and you have never had a severe hypo. You MUST tell the DVLA if you take insulin, certain tablets that can cause hypos (e.g. sulphonylureas or glinides) and have had more than one severe hypo in the last 12 months, you have lost hypo awareness, or you have eyesight problems caused by diabetes.

Do I need to tell the DVLA if I take insulin?

Yes. Anyone treated with insulin (for any length of time) must inform the DVLA, regardless of whether they hold a Group 1 (car/motorcycle) or Group 2 (lorry/bus) licence.

What is a severe hypo that needs reporting?

A severe hypo is one that requires assistance from another person to treat. Having more than one severe hypo (while awake) in the last 12 months means you must notify the DVLA. A single severe hypo requires medical review but not automatic notification unless it recurs.

Do the rules differ for car drivers and lorry/bus drivers?

Yes. Group 1 (car and motorcycle) rules are less strict than Group 2 (lorry, bus, coach). For Group 2 licences you must notify the DVLA if you use insulin, certain non-insulin injections, or have any severe hypos. Licences are usually issued for shorter periods with regular medical reviews.

What happens after I notify the DVLA about my diabetes?

The DVLA will send you forms to complete and may request medical information from your GP or diabetes specialist. For insulin-treated drivers, licences are normally issued for 1, 2 or 3 years instead of until age 70. You may need to provide blood glucose monitoring records.

Can I still drive if I have diabetes?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases. As long as your diabetes is well-managed, you monitor your blood glucose appropriately, and you follow DVLA notification rules, you can continue driving legally and safely.

What blood glucose level is safe for driving?

You must not drive if your blood glucose is below 5.0 mmol/L (or below 4.0 mmol/L on a continuous/flash glucose monitor unless confirmed by finger-prick). If it is low, eat fast-acting carbohydrate, wait until it is above 5.0 mmol/L and you feel well, then re-check before driving.

What should I do if I feel a hypo coming on while driving?

Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so, switch off the engine, remove the keys, move to the passenger seat if possible, treat the hypo with fast-acting carbohydrate, wait at least 45 minutes after your blood glucose has returned to normal and you feel fully recovered before driving again.

Do I need to tell the DVLA if I only take metformin or other tablets that don’t cause hypos?

No, if your diabetes is controlled only by diet or by tablets/medications that cannot cause hypos (e.g. metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 analogues that don’t increase hypo risk) and you have never had a severe hypo, you do not need to inform the DVLA.

Will my car insurance be affected if I have diabetes?

You must inform your insurance company if you are required to notify the DVLA (or if your licence is shortened because of diabetes). Failing to disclose a notifiable medical condition can invalidate your insurance.

Do I have to tell the DVLA about diabetes and can I still drive?

Diabetes is one of the most common long-term conditions in the UK, and many people who manage it safely continue to drive without any issues. But depending on how your diabetes is treated and whether you experience hypoglycaemia, you may be legally required to tell the DVLA.

Failing to notify them when required can result in fines, loss of insurance, or prosecution if an accident occurs. Here’s a clear guide to help you understand when you need to report your condition and how it affects your driving rights.

Diabetes finger-prick test Find out more guidance on whether you need to report diabetes to the DVLA and if you can still drive? (Image by Tesa Robbins from Pixabay)

When you must tell the DVLA about diabetes

The key factor is how your diabetes is managed. Some treatments increase the likelihood of a severe hypo, and this is what the DVLA is mainly concerned about. A severe hypo is one that requires another person’s help to recover.

You must tell the DVLA if any of the following apply:

• You use insulin for any length of time
• You use tablets that increase the risk of hypos, such as sulphonylureas or glinides
• You have had more than one severe hypo within 12 months
• You have lost awareness of hypoglycaemia
• You develop eye problems such as retinopathy that affect your ability to see clearly
• You are a bus, coach or lorry driver and use insulin or certain non-insulin injections

If your diabetes is controlled by diet alone, you do not need to tell the DVLA for any licence type.

Group 1 vs Group 2 rules

DVLA rules differ depending on whether you hold a normal car/motorcycle licence (Group 1) or a bus/lorry licence (Group 2).

Group 1 (cars and motorcycles)

Most people with diabetes fall into this category. You must notify the DVLA if:

• You use insulin
• You use medication that can cause hypos and have had more than one severe hypo in a year
• You have hypo unawareness

If you are on tablets or non-insulin injections that do not cause hypos, and you have never had a severe hypo, you usually do not need to report your diabetes.

Group 2 (lorries, buses, coaches)

The rules are more strict because of the size and weight of the vehicles.

You must notify the DVLA if:

• You use insulin
• You use certain non-insulin medications
• You have any episodes of severe hypoglycaemia
• You have eye problems affecting vision

Group 2 licences may be issued for shorter periods and often require regular medical reviews.

What happens after you notify the DVLA

Once the DVLA is informed, they may ask for more details from you and your GP or specialist. For insulin users, your licence may be issued for one, two or three years instead of lasting until your 70th birthday. You may also need to show blood glucose records to demonstrate good control.

If the DVLA temporarily withdraws your licence, it can usually be reinstated once your hypos or eyesight problems are under control.

Driving safely with diabetes

Most people with diabetes can drive safely, but the law requires you to take precautions. Before setting off, check your blood sugar. If it is 5.0 mmol/L or above, you are safe to drive. If it is below 5.0, take carbohydrates and wait for it to rise.

Drivers using continuous or flash glucose monitors may rely on the device, but if the reading is 4.0 mmol/L or lower, or does not match how you feel, you should do a finger-prick test.

If you have a hypo while driving:

Stop the car as soon as it is safe
Remove the keys from the ignition
Take fast-acting carbohydrates
Wait at least 45 minutes after recovery before driving again

Data tables

Treatments and whether you must tell the DVLA

Diabetes treatment type	Must notify DVLA?	Applies to Group 1	Applies to Group 2
Diet only	No	No	No
Insulin	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tablets that can cause hypos (e.g. sulphonylureas, glinides)	Depends on severe hypos	Sometimes	Yes
Tablets that do not cause hypos	No	No	No
Non-insulin injections	Depends on medication	Sometimes	Yes

Hypoglycaemia reporting thresholds

Situation	Action required
One severe hypo in 12 months	Seek medical advice
More than one severe hypo in 12 months	Must tell DVLA
Hypo while asleep	Report to GP
Loss of hypo awareness	Must tell DVLA

So can you still drive?

In most cases, yes. Diabetes doesn’t stop you driving, but it does mean taking extra care and following the DVLA’s rules. As long as your diabetes is well managed and you understand when you need to tell the authorities, you can continue driving legally and safely.

If you are unsure about your medication, your risk of hypos, or whether you need to report your condition, it’s best to speak to your GP or diabetes specialist.

Disclaimer - Always seek advice from a medical or the DVLA before driving with diabetes

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Author: Pete Barden:

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Pete Barden is a qualified journalist who has written and produced for publications including The Sun (thesun.co.uk), New Statesman Media Group, Whatcar? (Whatcar.com) Stuff Magazine (Stuff.tv), Fastcar Magazine (Fastcar.co.uk), Maxim Magazine and UK broadcast stations within the Heart network (Formerly GCAP). Pete specialises in motoring and travel content, along with news and production roles. You can find out more about Pete Barden on LinkedIn.

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