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Do I need to notify the DVLA?

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philip42h

Member
I'll start with thanks to Kenny for posting the link to "Current Guidance on Fitness to Drive for people with Diabetes Mellitus" in the pinned thread above - that's what I really came here to find!

I was diagnosed Type 2 a good while ago and treated with tablets. The guidance as I understood then was that I did not need to notify the DVLA - so I haven't.

I really don't enjoy making holes in my fingers - I doubt that anyone does really - so I very rarely do. It's not so much the process but the failure rate - maybe I just need more practice.

The tablets include Gliclazide so minor hypos are a possibility. Easily recognisable and almost predictable - if the gap between breakfast and lunch gets too long I may start to feel a bit 'off' but that is really easy to solve (and prevent) by the introduction of elevenses.

Driving isn't an issue. I'm not stupid and wouldn't set off when feeling 'iffy' and stop regularly for refreshment breaks.

And so, to the point ... my local GP surgery seems to be telling me that in accordance with the 'new' rules I have to notify the DVLA and I have to test within two hours of setting off and every two hours thereafter. Which might be the case if I were a bus or lorry driver but I'm not. Importantly, I have never had an episode of severe hypoglycaemia ...

So, I don't believe that I need to notify the DVLA nor change my approach to driving in any way. Am I missing something?
 
I think you are correct in not needing to tell DVLA unless you have ‘disabling hypos’ or you drive lorries or buses. See here for more info:

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting
www.gov.uk
 
Guidance states

Diabetes treated by tablets or non-insulin injections
Car or motorbike licence
Check with your doctor or nurse to find out if your treatment means you need to tell DVLA.



So if the gp says you should— then you should.

The old guidance stated if you were on treatment that could cause hypos you needed to inform the dvla- glylazide can cause hypos so I’m sure they need to know
 
This is the link to official guidance on disclosing to DVLA. if not on insulin you only have to tell them if you have certain complications.

however I believe if you are on a medication which can cause hypos you do need to test before driving and after every 2 hours. This can be done with a sensor, but should be double checked with a blood sugar meter if the sensor reads under 5.

 



As I say the linked guidance states check with your ‘gp’ and it’s already been stated the gp has stated dvla needs to be adviced


Older guidance stated that if you were on a ‘Sulfonylurea’ class of drug you needed to advise.. many didn’t advise because they didn’t know gliclazide was a Sulfonylurea
 
I stand corrected!
 
Thanks for the responses - I suspect that the range of replies reflects the level of confusion ...

The diabetes nurse du jour at the local GP practice - I never see the same one twice these days - could certainly have told me that Gliclazide was a Sulfonylurea. In practice I had to use Google to look that up. I did know that one of the potential side-effects of Gliclazide was hypoglycaemia and have no issue with the treatment regime that I am on - though replacing Gliclazide with something else is definitely on the plan.

The guidance in INF188/2 is:

By law you must tell us if any of the following applies:
• You suffer more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia within the last 12 months while awake. You must also tell us if you or your medical team feel you are at high risk of developing severe hypoglycaemia. For Group 2 drivers (bus/lorry), one episode of severe hypoglycaemia must be reported immediately.
• You develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. (Difficulty in recognising the warning symptoms of low blood sugar).
• You suffer severe hypoglycaemia while driving
• You need treatment with insulin.

plus other conditions related to eyesight, physical disability etc..

The relevant issue is severe hypoglycaemia, and I am at a loss as to how my medical team could judge that I am "at high risk of developing severe hypoglycaemia" ...
 

That is the section relating to insulin use.. I have included a screenshot where it states to ask your gp if you need to advise dvla the opening thread clearly states that the gp advises telling the dvla- so requirement met..

Also I’m not sure what the issue is as far as telling them.. as it causes no problem and you self certify as fit to drive…. It just means you are protected from a fine for not telling them…

Of course if you deny tell them and you should you could also find yourself uninsured if you have an accident

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting
www.gov.uk
 
You can definitely develop severe hypoglycemia when on Gliclazide. A family member had an awful time with it, and wasn't on insulin etc.
 
Hopeful34 said:
You can definitely develop severe hypoglycemia when on Gliclazide. A family member had an awful time with it, and wasn't on insulin etc.
Click to expand...
... and while one certainly could as your example shows, someone who has been on a balanced regime including Gliclazide for several years without developing severe hypoglycemia is hardly at severe risk of doing so.

My issue really is this is a conclusion drawn by administrators rather than informed clinicians. It's just a bureaucratic imposition ...
 

In the same way I’ve never had a hypo on insulin but I still have to advise .. because it’s possible

Again I’ve given a link with the opinion it’s not ‘moderator opinion’ it’s law and as described there is a requirement to advise

It’s your choice if you do or don’t.. but it’s you that will suffer the consequences if you make the wrong decision

And again as a car driver there is no down side to advising them
 
Well, yes ... in some ways I agree it would be less effort to fill in the forms and notify ... but I simply don't want to if I don't actually need to.

And, while I have no understanding of your particular circumstances and treatment regime, if you've "never had a hypo on insulin" you shouldn't have to notify etc. etc. But the rules do suggest that insulin is very bad and you must ...

The guidance to me states:
As you say, I should check with my "doctor or nurse to find out if your treatment means you need to tell DVLA". Who in turn should be following the "Advice for medical professionals to follow when assessing drivers with diabetes mellitus." This advice is referenced in the link posted by Kenny in the pinned thread above and is as follows:

I've highlighted the relevant text - I may drive and need not notify the DVLA provided that ...

So that's the advice I should be getting from my doctor or nurse ... unless, of course, unbeknownst to me there is "clinical information that indicates the agency may need to undertake medical enquiries"?

Yes, I know, I'm just a pain!
 

Just follow the link and read table control it does state if a medical professional says you have to

So the criteria is met

Glickazide can cause hypos and is therefore notifiable

But again your decision but if you end up uninsured and possibly in prison after an accident there is only 1 person to blame
 
Now I read that as your dr should know what the requirements are so you should be able to be advised by them if you need to report it. Not that their opinion is in itself a requirement
 
HSSS said:
Now I read that as your dr should know what the requirements are so you should be able to be advised by them if you need to report it. Not that their opinion is in itself a requirement
Click to expand...

And in the first post it states the gp’s is using current guidance which is dvla needs to know for glickazide .. which has actually been the case since I was diagnosed 13 years ago
 
searley said:
And in the first post it states the gp’s is using current guidance which is dvla needs to know for glickazide .. which has actually been the case since I was diagnosed 13 years ago
Click to expand...
Oh I agree with that. Just not that it’s up to the gp to decide who needs to notify and who doesn’t. They just pass along the information.
 
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