Who do I have to notify

[broads]

I was diagnosed about one month ago with Type 2. Two blood tests a week apart gave results of 7.1 and 7.6. I am told that diet alone should control this. I do realise that maybe at some later stage it might not. What I would like to know is, who do I have to inform about my condition, eg yearly travel insurance, DVLA etc? I do not want to have problems with anyone as I have failed to notify them. Grief it does take a lot of getting your head round everything when it is all so new to you. There seems to be so many things to think about. No doubt I'll get to grips with it all eventually.

 

[Thirsty]

Tell your insurance companies, otherwise they'll use non-disclosure as a way to wriggle out of paying claims. The DVLA isn't too bothered about type 2s if the condition is well-controlled.

 

[Cameraman]

If you go to the DVLA website you can notify them there with an on line form. Not sure on what licences you hold, so best to go to web site and read up.

I have to notify as I have HGV & PSV (Now known as LGV & PCV cos were in europe) and drive for a living. Its probably just a formality to be observed :roll:

Better to declare and be safe than invalidate your licence and insurance.

 

[broads]

Thanks for that. Best wishes

 

[JAD337]

My understanding is that as far as T2s are concerned, you only have to notify the DVLA if you are on tablets or insulin.
My brother (who happens to be a driving instructor) is T2 controlling his diabetes via diet alone. He has not had to notify the DVLA. I am T2 and went on to gliclazide on diagnosis. I therefore had to notify the DVLA immediately. Recently I was also put on to insulin and had to notify them again. This time they asked me to fill in a questionnaire, I believe they made enquiries of my diabetic clinic and I am now on a 3-year licence where the ability to drive groups C1 and D1 (LGV and minibus with 8 or more seats) has been withdrawn.
The DVLA's interest is initiated by the fact that the drugs could lead to hypos. Controlling diabetes via diet alone should not cause such a complication.

As mentioned above, I have also notified motor insurance and travel insurance companies. There has been no financial penalty as a result of that...... so far!

I hope you manage to keep control of your diabetes with diet alone for as long as possible!

Best wishes

 

[Cameraman]

I had the questionaire to fill in and they are making enquires of my Doctor, this is probably because I hold HGV & PSV. But I still retain the full licence. I also have sleep apneoa and am closely monitored for this too :roll:

 

[viv1969]

Revised September 2008
INF188/2
Drivers of cars or motorcycles with
Diabetes treated by tablets, diet or both

When do you need to tell DVLA?

Drivers do not need to tell DVLA if their diabetes is treaded by tablets, diet or both and they are free of the complications listed below

By law you must tell us if any of the following apply:

you need treatment with insulin.
you need laser treatment to both eyes or in the remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only.
you have problems with vision in both eyes, or in the remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only. By law you must be able to read, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary, a car number plate in good light at 20.5 metres (67 feet) or 20 metres (65 feet) where narrower characters 50mm wide are displayed.)
you develop any problems with the circulation or sensation in your legs or feet which make it necessary for you to drive certain types of vehicles only, for example automatic vehicles or vehicle a hand operated accelerator or brake. This must be noted on your driving licence.
you suffer more than one episode of disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) within 12 months, or if you or your carer feel you are at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia.
you develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.
you suffer disabling hypoglycaemia at the wheel.
an existing medical condition gets worse or you develop any other condition that may affect your safe driving.

JAD337..your brother need not tell the DVLA, but he must inform the DSA.

 

[Dennis]

Hi Broads,
As the above answers have shown, as a type-2 you don't need to advise DVLA unless you hold a PSV or HGV licence (or whetever DVLA call them nowadays). But it is important that you tell your car insurers and travel insurers. Your car insurers will just make a note on the policy but they generally do not increase premiums for type-2s.

Your travel insurance is a different matter. An existing insurer will generally ask a few questions about your type, what meds you take, whether you have hypos, and how well controlled you are. They will then decide whether that risk can be covered on your existing policy, or whether to exclude that condition. If they exclude the risk it means that if you were on holiday and required medical treatment or hospitalisation for your diabetes then they wouldn't cover any of the costs. If your insurer does exclude diabetes cover then you really need to look for an alternative. I have recently taken out travel cover with PJ Hayman, who are a specialist insurer covering medical conditions. I found them through the link on the home page of the http://www.diabetes.co.uk website and they actually worked out cheaper than my previous insurer and for better cover!