Driving Licence Blackmail

The law has already changed at the begining of this month

Here's some details http://www.iddt.org/about/living-with-diabetes/driving/

As you can see it say's server hypo which requires 3rd party intervention which is really a paramedic etc.. And bascially you hit two of these then you lose your licence

I do think that yes including night hypo's (when you'll asleep) is a tad unfair..

But if you are having 3rd party intervention within a reasonable time spam than there is probably one or two factors involved, either you aren't controling you diabetes correctly or you have lost your hypo awareness, neither are good combination when holding a driving licence and being in charge of a vechile that can do one hell of a lot of damage!

I agree with Jopar, if you need 3rd party intervention then you are clearly at risk of not recognising a hypo at the wheel potentially harming other drivers, pedestrians etc.

Shame on anyone who lies on their re-newal form, these regulations are in place for a reason, because unfortunately these things happen and it's other people's lives at risk as well as your own if you get behind a car wheel knowing theres a slight chance you may lose control. Imagine if it was your loved one who came to harm at the hands of someone who had lied on their re-newal form and lost control as they have no hypo awareness.

If you cannot recognise a hypo, you should not drive, if you have a seizure you should not drive, if you drink alcohol you should not drive, if you take drugs you should not drive. It's all the same, it's law because it does happen, even to the nicest of people. Laws are put into place to protect.

I agree with Jopar and Ebony that anyone who requires assistance from a third party more than once in a year is a potential risk behind the wheel


Actually the petition seems to be not only wrong on the facts but a bit late.
There is some evidence from people's accounts that the DVLA have been quietly applying these rules for some time, in spite of the April consultation.. In that it was stated that (for car motorbike drivers) they only had to interpret the existing ones slightly more rigidly.
This seems to be confirmed by the answer to this question in the Lords last week.
Oct 12 2011.

Asked by Lord Harrison

To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals are being considered in the European Union to change the law with regard to drivers with diabetes; and what discussions they are holding regarding maintaining the United Kingdom's current policy of assessing the fitness of diabetics to drive using case-by-case medical assessments.[HL11933]

Earl Attlee: No new proposals are being considered in the European Union for drivers with diabetes. Changes to the minimum health standards were published in a European directive in August 2009 and had to be implemented in member states by September 2010. The new minimum standard for those with insulin-treated diabetes who drive cars and motorcycles has been in place in GB since then. Drivers with insulin-treated diabetes who meet the minimum standard are still considered on an individual basis.

Click to expand...

If its time for you to reapply for a licence it is important that the doctor that fills in your forms knows what the definition of recurrent severe hypos They may not interpret those words according to the DVLA definition.
see this thread
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24393

Think yourself lucky that you don't now have to visit an unknown doctor or doctors (medical commision). This is what now happens to people in France who use insulin before they gain their first driving licence. Applicants must convince the commision rather than their own doctor, that they have not had recurrent severe hypos. They also have to prove that their control is adequate and that they have an understanding of the danger of hypos . The doctors have a duty ' to rigidly examine' whether they think the applicant is at risk for severe hypos.
The licence, as in the UK is only temporary and they will have to go through this procedure every 1-5 years.(and they have to pay for the examination)
The French authorities haven't yet found a way to impose this on people who go onto insulin after their first licence so this doesn't apply to everyone yet but...?

I'm waiting for my first ever driving licence renewal to come back. I've not had third party help before so hopefully I'm alright for getting it back.

I have already signed the petition. What a load of hassle and upset this is causing.