-
Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »
Driving with t1
- Thread starter colin2018
- Start Date
Dixon1995
Well-Known Member
I was diagnosed at 15 and started learning to drive at 18-19. You're best off mentioning you're a type 1 diabetic to any potential driving instructor as they may or may not let you drive with them.
Before driving, try make sure your blood sugar is above 5mmol/L, you can still drive below this but it is recommended to be above 5. Take any hypo treatment with you and your blood checker. On my 2 hour lessons I asked if it was ok to take a break after 1 hour to test my sugars, you don't have to, but it was a precaution I took for both my safety and that of the instructor.
Other than that driving is very much the same when you pass. Inform the DVLA you are a type 1 diabetic when applying for your drivers licence. Once you have your full licence you will be required to renew it every 3 years as a diabetic, this may have changed to yearly recently I am not sure. As a none diabetic would, take regular breaks, and test sugars in safe areas and test your sugars before driving. If you feel like you are going Hypo, indicate to the driving instructor and pull over safely to test your sugars. This should not annoy instructors as long as you tell them your needs before taking lessons with them, so they can adapt to your needs, and understand why you need to do it.
Good luck
Before driving, try make sure your blood sugar is above 5mmol/L, you can still drive below this but it is recommended to be above 5. Take any hypo treatment with you and your blood checker. On my 2 hour lessons I asked if it was ok to take a break after 1 hour to test my sugars, you don't have to, but it was a precaution I took for both my safety and that of the instructor.
Other than that driving is very much the same when you pass. Inform the DVLA you are a type 1 diabetic when applying for your drivers licence. Once you have your full licence you will be required to renew it every 3 years as a diabetic, this may have changed to yearly recently I am not sure. As a none diabetic would, take regular breaks, and test sugars in safe areas and test your sugars before driving. If you feel like you are going Hypo, indicate to the driving instructor and pull over safely to test your sugars. This should not annoy instructors as long as you tell them your needs before taking lessons with them, so they can adapt to your needs, and understand why you need to do it.
Good luck
Last edited:
Cumberland
Master
- Messages
- 14,659
- Location
- Cumbria
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Foodwise Nuts & Mushrooms (Vomit)
Good advice from Dixon
Go for it good luck
Go for it good luck
colin2018
Member
- Messages
- 15
Thank you Dixon for the advice my first lesson is booked for 29th October with a local instructor she asked me if have any medical issues she should be aware of so told her I have t1 diabetes and I need to carry my hypo kit with me etc she advised me that if I feel unwell during the lesson(s) just let her know and we’ll stop for a few mins to check blood and have gluco gel if necessary., so I think it’s no problem for her as long as honest about things 
Dixon1995
Well-Known Member
Thank you Dixon for the advice my first lesson is booked for 29th October with a local instructor she asked me if have any medical issues she should be aware of so told her I have t1 diabetes and I need to carry my hypo kit with me etc she advised me that if I feel unwell during the lesson(s) just let her know and we’ll stop for a few mins to check blood and have gluco gel if necessary., so I think it’s no problem for her as long as honest about things
Hello again! Well it sounds like you will be just fine! Focus on your driving and don't keep worrying you're Diabetic, it can make you somewhat anxious. Above all else Enjoy yourself !
You'll be on the road in no time