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dvla and blood levels

K

kendod666

Well-Known Member
Messages
51
Location
Merseyside
Have mixed info from dvla.

I'm certain the medical questionnaire I filled in said I was not allowed to drive under 5.0.

However in a leaflet they sent me with the OK for my temporary licence 5.0 is OK as long as I eat.

And only below 4.0 am I not allowed to drive.

Don't want to be caught out!
 
As far as I'm aware anything below 5 and you can't drive. This would mean that it's OK to drive at 5, although it can drop so I would probably have a snack still. Unless things have recently changed ?
 
mo1905 said:
As far as I'm aware anything below 5 and you can't drive. This would mean that it's OK to drive at 5, although it can drop so I would probably have a snack still. Unless things have recently changed ?
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I have the leaflet and its 100% OK 4-5.

But as you rightly say its 5.0. Can't get through to them on the phone lines are to busy.
 
I'll be interested to hear what they say. Please update if you get through to someone.
 
kendod666 said:
But as you rightly say its 5.0. Can't get through to them on the phone lines are to busy.
Click to expand...


It's definitely no driving if bg is below 5, the DVLA website will say much the same should you take a look.

I
 
I've tried to find it on DVLA site and can't see it ! I'm sure it is 5 or over but can't find it now !


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
noblehead said:
kendod666 said:
But as you rightly say its 5.0. Can't get through to them on the phone lines are to busy.
Click to expand...


It's definitely no driving if bg is below 5, the DVLA website will say much the same should you take a look.

I
Click to expand...

Have you seen the link above though??

That also states unequivocally under 5 is OK as long as you snack.

Only below 4 to not drive.
 
kendod666 said:
Have you seen the link above though??

That also states unequivocally under 5 is OK as long as you snack.

Only below 4 to not drive.
Click to expand...


Yes just looked, I think it means if you are under 4 then you obviously have to snack to get your levels above 5, it would only then be safe to drive when you have tested your bg and got a level above this limit.
 
noblehead said:
kendod666 said:
Have you seen the link above though??

That also states unequivocally under 5 is OK as long as you snack.

Only below 4 to not drive.
Click to expand...


Yes just looked, I think it means if you are under 4 then you obviously have to snack to get your levels above 5, it would only then be safe to drive when you have tested your bg and got a level above this limit.
Click to expand...

Very ambiguous. Some may read it differently. It doesn't say you can't drive at 5 or less, just take a snack. It only actually says do not drive under 4. I guess you're possibly correct Noblehead s I thought the same but it's a bit grey !
 
Hiya!

It was definitely 5 when I got my license because I remember feeling really angry that they wanted me to make sure my BG was above normal BGs before I could drive. It was also only a recommendation not an order as it is now, so they have certainly changed it recently.

I know this is controversial, but I would drive with my BG between 4 and 5 depending on the time of day and when I last injected. So, late afternoon, my basal is pretty well spent and I haven't had any bolus for more than 5 hours - my BG isn't going anywhere but up, so driving at 4.5 would be perfectly acceptable to me. However, early morning when my basal is at its strongest and I've injected bolus to cover breakfast, I'd definitely want to be over 5. Unfortunately, the DVLA doesn't credit us with any common sense or knowledge of our own bodies and condition, so 5 it is.

Smidge
 
Thanks Smidge. Just weird I can't find any guidance on DVLA site. I'm pretty certain it's 5 too but can't find evidence.
 
mo1905 said:
[Very ambiguous. Some may read it differently. It doesn't say you can't drive at 5 or less, just take a snack. It only actually says do not drive under 4. I guess you're possibly correct Noblehead s I thought the same but it's a bit grey !
Click to expand...


It is a bit grey, a lot of it boils down to common sense, for example if your 5.2 and it's only 2 hours since you last injected then there's a good chance your bg will fall further due to still having IOB, if your 5.2 and it's 4-5 hours postprandial then it shouldn't really drop provided our basal insulin is right.

Yesterday afternoon I went out in the car and was 5.1 (3 hours postprandial) I still had 2 oat crackers just to be sure and was 6.2 just before my evening meal, perhaps the oat crackers were unnecessary but just the same I like to be safe when driving.
 
Hi. I think common sense applies. I won't drive unless I'm 5 or over just in case my sugars go down whilst driving. A level of 4+ together with snack would be fine for most people but wise to have a safety margin.
 
I agree with everyone on the common sense thing. I just think that anything to do with law should be written so there can be no confusion or ambiguity.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
100% it is ok to drive from 4.0 and above.

They recommend anything below 5.0 you eat, and test every 2 hrs.

Just spoken to the dvla and they ran through the forms and correct info.

So I am totally fine to drive below 5 but above 4 (I will of course bear in mind IOB and meal timings along with exersise etc)
 
Thanks Kendo for the update. Surprised me and probably a lot of others here too. I still think 5 is a sensible level but to know that 4 and above is legal may clear up a lot of confusion.
 
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