Driving licence query

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Busdriver60

Busdriver60

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 3c
Hello, I'm a new type 3c patient and wondered if my class 1 driving licence allows me to drive light vans as well as cars.
I had to surrender my class 2 licence when I informed DVLA and resigned from my coach driving job. I want to keep all my options open as much as possible. If that's not the case, I will look for non-driving jobs probably warehouse work. This could not have happened at a worse time for me, I have an annual car MOT and service in a couple of weeks and just committed to a brand new kitchen, just before I was diagnosed with diabetes. It hit me very hard and now trying to cope with my needle phobia too. All a complete nightmare! I would be very grateful for advice and suggestions.
Thanks.
 
Busdriver60 said:
I had to surrender my class 2 licence when I informed DVLA and resigned from my coach driving job. I want to keep all my options open as much as possible.
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Can’t you reapply for class 2 when you’ve got enough bg readings?
 
Lucyr said:
Can’t you reapply for class 2 when you’ve got enough bg readings?
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I could, but I understand it could take up to a year before I have any chance of getting my PCV Licence back which time I could be doing a different job (non-driving). The issue I have is the DVLA insist I must take a finger prick test every 2 hours during the working day, quite honestly, I don't want to do that. I may yet decide not to drive a bus or coach anymore because of my needle phobia. All I wanted to know, was if I would be able to drive a light van in a different job ie, non PCV.
I need to find a different job to support my income now.
 
Morning everyone! 🙂
 
Sorry about your needle phobia but 8 completely understand DVLA's point of view regarding finger pricks every 2 hours as driving whilst hypo is very dangerous.
How do you feel about using a CGM? This needs to be applied every 2 weeks and does not completely replace finger pricks but is accepted by DVLA instead of finger pricks.
 
This is my understanding. You will need to meet very strict criteria to regain your Class 1 (isn't that HGV). I used to have the standard car and motorcycle licence from the 70's but over 20 years ago they removed the C1 & D groups (for insulin dependent) unless you meet annual medical criteria. I did not feel it worth the hassle and cost for an occasional vehicle hire.

Even if you drive a car or small van you have to finger prick before driving and every two hours thereafter.
 
helli said:
Sorry about your needle phobia but 8 completely understand DVLA's point of view regarding finger pricks every 2 hours as driving whilst hypo is very dangerous.
How do you feel about using a CGM? This needs to be applied every 2 weeks and does not completely replace finger pricks but is accepted by DVLA instead of finger pricks.
Click to expand...
thank you for the information.
 
MikeyBikey said:
This is my understanding. You will need to meet very strict criteria to regain your Class 1 (isn't that HGV). I used to have the standard car and motorcycle licence from the 70's but over 20 years ago they removed the C1 & D groups (for insulin dependent) unless you meet annual medical criteria. I did not feel it worth the hassle and cost for an occasional vehicle hire.

Even if you drive a car or small van you have to finger prick before driving and every two hours thereafter.
Click to expand...
thank you for the information.
 
helli said:
Sorry about your needle phobia but 8 completely understand DVLA's point of view regarding finger pricks every 2 hours as driving whilst hypo is very dangerous.
How do you feel about using a CGM? This needs to be applied every 2 weeks and does not completely replace finger pricks but is accepted by DVLA instead of finger pricks.
Click to expand...
Not for class 2 it isn’t
 
yes for class 2.
 
Reading the rules you can use CGM for Class 2 but it must be supplemented by finger prick test with a meter that records date, time and BG at least twice daily for as you can read on the forum CGM is not utterly reliable.
 
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In that case, I will forget about driving class 2 and just do non-driving work until I retire. I know it sounds extreme, but its my choice.
Thank you.
 
Busdriver60 said:
In that case, I will forget about driving class 2 and just do non-driving work until I retire. I know it sounds extreme, but its my choice.
Thank you.
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Are you checking your blood glucose at all, really the lancets are nothing like needles. They are usually hidden in the lancing device so you don't even see them let alone feel it.
But as you say it is your choice as long as you keep safe.
 
Yes I check it every morning before breakfast and evening before bedtime. My glucose level has come right down to 8.4 from 19.0 which I'm very pleased about.
 
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