Drivers with diabetes who are treated with insulin could be fined up to £1,000 if they do not inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about their condition. The warning applies to those holding a driving licence and currently receiving insulin treatment.
According to gov.uk, officials warn: "You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result."
When must you tell the DVLA?
You need to tell DVLA if your insulin treatment lasts (or will last) over 3 months, if you had gestational diabetes and your insulin treatment lasts over 3 months after the birth, or if you get disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) or a medical professional has told you that you’re at risk of developing it.
You can report your condition online or fill in form DIAB1 and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form. Leaflet INF294 provides more information about driving a car or motorbike with diabetes that’s treated with insulin.
Rules for bus, coach, or lorry licences
If you hold a bus, coach or lorry licence, "you must stop driving and tell DVLA when you start insulin treatment. DVLA will tell you when you can start driving again." Drivers can fill in form VDIAB1I and send it to DVLA. They can also read leaflet INS186 to find out how to get a licence to drive larger vehicles if your diabetes is treated with insulin.
Tablets, non-insulin injections, and diet
For car or motorbike licences, gov.uk says you should check with your doctor or nurse to find out if your treatment means you need to tell DVLA. If you do, fill in form DIAB1 and send it to the address on the form. Leaflet INF188/2 provides more information about driving with diabetes treated with non-insulin medication, diet, or both.
For bus, coach, or lorry licences, you must tell DVLA if your diabetes is treated by tablets or non-insulin injections. Fill in form VDIAB1SG if your diabetes is treated by sulphonylurea or glinide tablets, or form VDIAB1GEN if it is treated by any other tablets or non-insulin injections. Send the form to DVLA.
If your diabetes is treated by diet alone, you do not need to tell DVLA for car, motorbike, bus, coach, or lorry licences. Gov.uk advises: "Check with your nurse or doctor if you do not know what type of medication you’re on."
Voluntarily surrendering your licence
If you have a medical condition, you can voluntarily surrender your licence to DVLA if your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more, your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for 3 months or more, or you do not meet the required medical standards for safe driving.
If you do not surrender your licence, you must still inform DVLA about any medical condition that affects your driving. DVLA will carry out medical checks to decide if you can continue to hold a licence. As long as your licence is valid, you can drive while they do this unless your doctor has told you not to. If DVLA decides that it’s not safe for you to drive, your licence will be revoked.
