Driving Licence

[Marty F]

My Consultant has suspended my driving licence because he says the number at which I notice a low blood sugar level is too low. However I haven’t passed out from a Hypo for nearly 30 years.
Has anyone else had this happen and if so what is the chance/timescale of me getting my licence back?
Thanks in advance

 

[Pumper_Sue]

What number are you recognising your hypos at?
Have you got access to a Libre if not ask for one and perhaps run your numbers a bit higher this does help to improve hypo awareness in some cases.

 

[Marty F]

What number are you recognising your hypos at?
Have you got access to a Libre if not ask for one and perhaps run your numbers a bit higher this does help to improve hypo awareness in some cases.

Thanks for your response.
Several times I’ve been as low as 2.6 before I get the sweats though most of those are when I awake first thing in the morning.
I’ve been fitted with a sensor which keeps a constant check on levels and have to see a Diabetes nurse next week to see what the options are from there.
Apparently the old ‘2 hypo’s where you need assistance from someone else’ and you’re banned for a year, rule no longer applies.
I appreciate they have to be cautious for the safety of others but it was a bit of a shock. Hopefully I’ll be able to raise my recognition levels if not I’ll have a Renault and a Vespa for sale!

 

[Robin]

I think the rules for '2hypos needing assistance' haven’t changed, but in addition, there is an ‘ adequate awareness of hypoglycaemia' standard which doctors have to consider.
see here for the guide for medical professionals, which has a section on adequate awareness, and further down, impaired awareness. (The thinking behind it, presumably, is the rule that you have to have time to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill if you become aware of low blood glucose, and the lower you are when you feel it, the closer you are to passing out before you’ve stopped.)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabetes-mellitus-assessing-fitness-to-drive

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Just another thought for you ………….. The longer you have diabetes the more subtle your hypo symptom become so make sure you know this and look out for those changes. Simple things like if your Blood sugar is at 5 then treat as hypo this will help no end.

 

[Marty F]

I think the rules for '2hypos needing assistance' haven’t changed, but in addition, there is an ‘ adequate awareness of hypoglycaemia' standard which doctors have to consider.
see here for the guide for medical professionals, which has a section on adequate awareness, and further down, impaired awareness. (The thinking behind it, presumably, is the rule that you have to have time to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill if you become aware of low blood glucose, and the lower you are when you feel it, the closer you are to passing out before you’ve stopped.)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabetes-mellitus-assessing-fitness-to-drive

Thanks Robin.
That’s answered my question nicely.
I can totally see why the Doctor has made this decision.
I just hope that I can get it back on track.

 

[Marty F]

Just another thought for you ………….. The longer you have diabetes the more subtle your hypo symptom become so make sure you know this and look out for those changes. Simple things like if your Blood sugar is at 5 then treat as hypo this will help no end.

Thanks Sue.
The really low tests are a recent thing so hopefully between myself and the practitioners hopefully we can sort it.