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Driving help

H

Hedgehog71

Member
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12
Hi. My hubby has type 1 and was dx'd age 16. (Nearly 30years ago) we met when he was 19. In that time he's never had a severe hypo - until last year when he had 2 about a month apart. He'd been sleeping and woke up confused, aggressive and totally out of it. I had no choice but to call an ambulance as he kept spitting the glucogel out.

Anyway, that was oct and Nov last year. He's now had a phone call from GP informing him he has to notify DVLA. Trouble is, he informed them when he learned to drive 28yrs ago - and that was that, no probs.

Now he's told he's going to lose his licence for 12 months and be fined and if he is allowed to drive again he won't be allowed to drive a minibus.

His job requires him to drive. I'm worried sick. What do we do?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers
 
Has he been renewing his licence every 1/2/3 years so far? Is that what you mean by 'no problems'?
 
As someone who had to stop driving last year (PCV Driver) I understand how hard it can be, but saying that I could not have lived with myself if I had an accident due to my diabetes.......and maybe hurt someone

If he is starting having hypo's I am afraid there is not much you can do as regards driving .............

Yes losing a job is awful (tell me about it ) but its not the end of the world........

I am not up to speed on the requirement of type 1 regarding driving...............

How much of his job involves driving ???


Because as an ex shop steward your hubbys employer has a legal requirement to make "reasonable adjustments" for his illness , so might be a good idea for your other half to see a union rep or citizens advice....


Jase
 
Hedgehog71 said:
He's never been asked to?! It's never been questioned.
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Hmm - strange. Has he kept his address with the DVLA up to date? When someone on insulin tells the DVLA and they have a driving licence, that licence then has to renewed as I mentioned above and forms need to be filled in answering medical questions. Then, all being well, the DVLA send a new licence for the next 1/2/3 years. then that's repeated.

I think you and he need to speak to someone for advice so that you can find out what's going on, and also get help with his current problem. Could his DSN or doctor help?
 
Are there not regular driver medical assessments done there? I have to get a medical assessment done every year to renew my licence. They don't let me renew for 5 years like I used to. They only just changed the law here a few years back to say if you have a medical condition that could impact your driving you are required to have regular medical assessments. I have hypo's too but I always check my sugar before I drive. I guess there could be a problem if you are what they call a brittle diabetic where your sugar can drop real quick suddenly, etc.. and you're having trouble avoiding hypos. I'm not sure if your hubby is having problems avoiding hypos? I would think it should still be ok to drive. It seems odd they're saying he can't drive for 12 months if he has met the requirements for the licence and has advised previously of his medical condition. Although I'm in Australia so I'm not sure what your licence rules are there.
 
I think because he notified the DVLA when he started driving back in 1987 the rules were different and he's slipped through the net. It's one of those things that has never been mentioned when at clinic etc and we just haven't thought about it. His diabetes is well controlled and these are the first hypos he's had like this and he was sleeping. He's never had anything like it whilst awake cos he knows the warning signs and he does regular blood monitoring.
 
They'll be a appeals process with the DVLA but how successful you would be is anyone's guess.

What was the fine for @Hedgehog71? Was it for not notifying them at the time of the severe hypo's or was it because he hasn't renewed his licence over the last 28 years.
 
Not entirely sure. The GP said my hubby had to notify the DVLA and he would lose his license and be fined. He told my hubby if he didn't do it then gp would.
 
Hedgehog71 said:
Not entirely sure. The GP said my hubby had to notify the DVLA and he would lose his license and be fined. He told my hubby if he didn't do it then gp would.
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Best he does comply and inform the DVLA, it is an offence to withhold this information from them, good luck and let us know how it all works out.
 
it sounds like your saying he never told the DVLA that he was type 1 when applying for his license when learning to drive......is that right....?

if he did he would of had to renew it every 3 years with a simple medical questionnaire.....

its a shame this has happened really............i wonder if he knew about the "2 severe hypos" within a year rule, the hypo events may have been different, probably not as they did sound like genuine bad ones........

is his hypo awareness during the day OK normally.....?
 
noblehead said:
Best he does comply and inform the DVLA, it is an offence to withhold this information from them, good luck and let us know how it all works out.
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He has contacted them today and they've told him to fill in forms.
He's not allowed to drive now? His consultant and his GP aren't questioning his ability to drive.

Thanks for your help
 
He did tell the DVLA he was type 1 back in 1986 but he was given a full license with no follow up.
His hypo awareness is excellent. These hypos happened in middle of night when sleeping. He discussed it with his consultant after it happened and his consultant was happy it was just a 'blip' cos everything else was fine and there's been nothing similar since.
 
Hedgehog71 said:
His license is valid and up to date
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That's the issue, I think. The concern is that it seems, from what you've told us, that he somehow has missed out on the rules about driving while a Type 1 on insulin. No one in the UK on insulin would have a licence that expires at 70.

Whose fault that is doesn't matter now so much as IS his licence still valid? Did you check with the DVLA? Also, what about his insurance?

Regarding the hypos, then it's not like the DVLA can look back at his previous renewals and med forms because he doesn't have any. He can appeal against any decision by the DVLA, but if I was you (or him) I'd seek advice from them and fully explain your situation both regarding the hypos and the fact he hasn't followed the rules about driving on insulin (for whatever reason).
 
I have to join in with this discussion having been diagnosed T1D in December 2009. Up to that time I had a clean green paper licence. I would have had the green paper licence until I was 70 if diabetes had not intervened.
 
Even back in the 1970's a type 1 diabetic had their licence restricted and had to renew every 1,2,3 years. For many years A type 1 was not allowed to drive a mini bus either.
His licence nor his ins is valid. Due to two hypos as described he has an automatic ban.
 
Thanks for that info @CarbsRok I was trying to find information about 'older' driving licences but couldn't.
 
Thanks for that. Much appreciated info. It's in the hands of DVLA now. We will just have to deal with it. Thanks for all the info guys.
 
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