Type 1 Diabetic wanting to start HGV Training any advice?

[Smith_R]

Hi everyone,

I am 49 years old, Type 1 diabetic on insulin and I am thinking about starting HGV training. I work in construction at the moment but I am looking to move into HGV driving. I am a bit worried about how my diabetes and age might affect my application and training. Are there any other Type 1 diabetics on here who drive HGV or have gone through the training? I would love to hear how you manage your diabetes on the job and any tips you have.

A few things I am wondering about:

Has anyone had trouble with DVLA because of insulin?
How do you manage your blood sugars on long drives?
Did your age make things harder?
How did you get your doctor to support your application?

Any advice or experience would be really appreciated!

Thanks
Smith_R

 

[EllieM]

Hi @Smith_R I'm tagging @searley who is a T1 and a HGV driver.

 

[Smith_R]

Thanks @EllieM, I really appreciate you tagging @searley. I’d be very grateful to hear about your experience as a Type 1 diabetic and HGV driver, especially how you found the DVLA medical process and managing your blood sugar while driving.

 

[SteveO68]

Hi everyone,

I am 49 years old, Type 1 diabetic on insulin and I am thinking about starting HGV training. I work in construction at the moment but I am looking to move into HGV driving. I am a bit worried about how my diabetes and age might affect my application and training. Are there any other Type 1 diabetics on here who drive HGV or have gone through the training? I would love to hear how you manage your diabetes on the job and any tips you have.

A few things I am wondering about:

Has anyone had trouble with DVLA because of insulin?
How do you manage your blood sugars on long drives?
Did your age make things harder?
How did you get your doctor to support your application?

Any advice or experience would be really appreciated!

Thanks
Smith_R

I've done those TV competitions to win a camper van until I checked my driving license one day only to find out the categories I have on the license does not allow me as a diabetic to drive them!!! Only had my license for 40+ years and never realised, thank god I never won the star prize

Good luck with the HGV though