Diabetes and Driving for Work

People with diabetes are able to drive taxis

Having diabetes doesn't stop you from driving a taxi although it may prevent you from driving large passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs).

There is currently a blanket ban for diabetics driving emergency vehicles.

If you are diabetic and you work as a driver, whether you can continue will depend on a number of factors. Read on to see how diabetes may affect your eligibility to drive.

Diabetic taxi drivers

Local councils issue licences for taxis and minicabs. Their policies may vary throughout the UK and it is best to check with individual councils for further information.

Taxi drivers dependent on insulin may find it harder than those on tablets, but there is no blanket ban across the UK.

Diabetes and driving HGVs and PCVs

If your diabetes is treated with diet or diet and tablets, you may hold a licence to drive either a large good vehicle (LGV) or a passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV).

If your diabetes is treated with insulin, you will automatically lose the entitlement to drive vehicles within:

• the C1/C1+E class (including categories C1, C1E, D1, D1E, C, CE, D or DE)

This includes vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes with a trailer, up to a combined weight of 8.25 tonnes.

However, you may apply to be assessed individually for fitness to drive these must vehicles must meet a number of conditions:

• No episode of hypoglycemia at the wheel within the last 12 months
• You will need to assessed at least once a year by a diabetes consultant
• Regularly testing your blood glucose levels, particularly before and around times of driving
• Have stable on insulin for at least a month
• Have no other conditions that would invalidate an application for the license
• Sign a declaration to follow doctor’s decisions and report any significant change in your condition to the DVLA

The process towards getting your vocational entitlement to drive involves a three step process: ^[18]

• Initial application forms
• A medical questionnaire
• A further medical questionnaire and an examination by your consultant

Diabetes and ‘blue light’ emergency services

If you have diabetes mellitus treated by insulin, currently you will not be entitled to drive emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines, however, charities such as Diabetes UK are campaigning to have this particular blanket ban lifted.