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Rafferty58

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Type 2
I am type 2 diabetic being put onto Humilin I insulin at my next appointment. Will I have to notify DVLA and apply for my licience every 3 years
 
Yes. You will need to test before driving and make sure you fully read and understand the rules around driving whilst taking insulin
 
I’m in the same position except I was put on Humulin 20 units once a day at beginning of February. I let DVLA know online that I have been put onto insulin. Today they’ve sent me a declaration to complete and a form to apply for a new 3 year photo card restricted driving licence to replace my old paper one that I’ve had for nearly 50 years. I’ve never had a hypo in my life, even since being on the insulin my blood sugars are still high and I find the whole thing very depressing. In fact I wish I’d never agreed to be put on the insulin In the first place and feel very down about it all.
 
Welcome @canderelKaren Sorry you’re feeling down about this. I try to remember that it’s not just diabetes/insulin. There are a number of medical conditions that people have to declare to the DVLA.

Hopefully, your insulin dose will be adjusted and your sugars better controlled so at least you’ll see that benefit. How high are they?
 
canderelKaren said:
I’m in the same position except I was put on Humulin 20 units once a day at beginning of February. I let DVLA know online that I have been put onto insulin. Today they’ve sent me a declaration to complete and a form to apply for a new 3 year photo card restricted driving licence to replace my old paper one that I’ve had for nearly 50 years. I’ve never had a hypo in my life, even since being on the insulin my blood sugars are still high and I find the whole thing very depressing. In fact I wish I’d never agreed to be put on the insulin In the first place and feel very down about it all.
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Hello,

I’ve been on insulin since a kid. Driving since 1986? I have these forms every 3 years. As long as you feel the dated porcine insulin symptoms described on the form (I feel a different symptom though fully hypo aware on the human variant. As I did as a kid, still waking at night.) & have never been “blue lighted.” DVLA with throw a 3 year restricted licence at you. (May take a wait, nowadays.)
 
@Inka makes a very good point - I have a friend who is epileptic and has only recently got to a point of having not had a seizure for long enough to be able to get a medical licence, he is in his 30s and has been unable to learn to drive until now. The focus on here is obviously the need for medical licences with diabetes and insulin, but there are multiple conditions requiring medical licences. Also everyone from 70 has to renew their licence every 3 years so you only really have 2 extra early renewals @canderelKaren if that makes you feel any better about it.
 
… and we get ours for free. My OH has just paid for a renewal as the 10 years was up and it will only be valid for one year as he is 70 next year, and will have to renew again.
 
At least you are allowed to drive. My daughter will be 17 next month and some of her friends are already having driving lessons, but there will be no point whatsoever in us applying for a licence for her. Her diabetes is pretty well controlled with the aid of a hybrid closed-loop pump and Dexcom sensors, but she freely admits that her hypo awareness is less than brilliant if she’s concentrating on something (although she’s never yet had a hypo that required assistance). But on top of that she has seizures (non-epileptic, but still render her unaware and uncommunicative and happen with very little warning, and because they are non-epileptic there is no medication that can help), absences, tics (would have to be assessed by a doctor but at their worst can make her clap her hands, throw things, smack herself in the face, make rude gestures etc, which I can’t imagine being very safe if they happen without warning just when she’s going round a roundabout in the middle of town and needs to keep both hands on the wheel), and is currently in a wheelchair unable to use her legs properly, which isn’t insurmountable but would require an adapted car. She also says that her reactions and concentration aren’t good either so has decided anyway that even if she got past all the medical barriers it probably wouldn’t be a good idea for her to get behind the wheel at all. Which is going to make life a bit tricky for her as she is also on the autism spectrum and finds it challenging using public transport as well. Hopefully when she leaves home she’ll be able to find somewhere to live where everything she needs is within walking distance!
 
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