Got to tell DVLA

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TerryP

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
03/12/22 Update

Spoke to my DN on Wednesday, challenged the DN as to why it was thought I was at risk of sever hypo, agreed that I wasn’t so no need to tell DVLA (what a faff). Also put me on Metformin twice a day (payback)


Hi folks

I'm T2 and have had my Gliclazide upped to the max and was told by my DB nurse yesterday that I have to inform DVLA. I have had no Hypo's for almost a year (and then only 1 that I didn't need assistance) but I'm really reluctant to inform the DVLA as I'm worried that they will take my licence off me. I know I have to do it but that doesn't mean I'm not worried about it. So my question is to those who have been through this....what actually happens when you let them know?

Thanks for any info

Terry
 
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This is what the official guidance leaflet says.
So if you’re just a car driver, then no you don’t need to tell the DVLA, if you don’t have any complications listed on the leaflet.
There is, however, a sentence in the general guidance that says 'check with your doctor whether you need to'.
www.gov.uk

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
So I guess to be on the safe side, you might draw your nurse's attention to the leaflet, and ask her which bit of it she thinks covers your need to tell the DVLA
 
I too was worried about letting them know but filled in the form correctly, and had no problems, my new amended 3 year licence came back very quickly. There are some helpful links in the Driving/Dvla threads on here.
Martin
 
Martin62 said:
I too was worried about letting them know but filled in the form correctly, and had no problems, my new amended 3 year licence came back very quickly. There are some helpful links in the Driving/Dvla threads on here.
Martin
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You’re on insulin, though, so telling them is mandatory. I don’t think gliclazide falls into the same category.
 
Robin said:
This is what the official guidance leaflet says.
So if you’re just a car driver, then no you don’t need to tell the DVLA, if you don’t have any complications listed on the leaflet.
There is, however, a sentence in the general guidance that says 'check with your doctor whether you need to'.
www.gov.uk

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
So I guess to be on the safe side, you might draw your nurse's attention to the leaflet, and ask her which bit of it she thinks covers your need to tell the DVLA
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure this is the section that she is referencing,
  • you get disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) - or a medical professional has told you that you’re at risk of developing it
The other snag with this is that it is now on my medical record that I have been advised to inform them. I guess I just have to suck it up. The responses from this posting have been positive so thank you.
 
TerryP said:
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure this is the section that she is referencing,
  • you get disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) - or a medical professional has told you that you’re at risk of developing it
The other snag with this is that it is now on my medical record that I have been advised to inform them. I guess I just have to suck it up. The responses from this posting have been positive so thank you.
Click to expand...
Be very careful how you phrase it, if you do decide to tell the DVLA. If you use the phrase 'disabling hypoglycaemia' or 'severe hypoglycaemia' they are almost certain to remove your licence. 'disabling' or 'severe' in this context means you are unable to treat your own hypos, or have no awareness of them.
If this isn’t the case, and you are just at risk of developing normal hypos that you can recognise and treat yourself, then there is no need. I would still be inclined to ask your nurse for clarification, as to why she thinks you wouldn’t recognise a hypo, or would need outside assistance, before you write to the DVLA. Once your licence is suspended, with current delays, it can take months to get it restored.
If your nurse concedes that she was mistaken, then your notes can and should be corrected.
 
Robin said:
Be very careful how you phrase it, if you do decide to tell the DVLA. If you use the phrase 'disabling hypoglycaemia' or 'severe hypoglycaemia' they are almost certain to remove your licence. 'disabling' or 'severe' in this context means you are unable to treat your own hypos, or have no awareness of them.
If this isn’t the case, and you are just at risk of developing normal hypos that you can recognise and treat yourself, then there is no need. I would still be inclined to ask your nurse for clarification, as to why she thinks you wouldn’t recognise a hypo, or would need outside assistance, before you write to the DVLA. Once your licence is suspended, with current delays, it can take months to get it restored.
If your nurse concedes that she was mistaken, then your notes can and should be corrected.
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Ok thanks, I have a follow up meeting with her on the 16th Nov so will ask her then
 
If you have never had a debilitating hypo that required assistance, you have nothing to worry about. I have had no choice but to tell them about my diabetes for the last 18 years and my renewed license arrives everything 3 years when I request it. I was concerned this year due to the long time people have been saying it takes to get their license renewed. I applied online and had my new license within a week. They had the chance to ask my gp but I am pretty sure my go does not do anything within a week.
I know I would rather tell the dvla that risk driving illegally and uninsured.
 
helli said:
If you have never had a debilitating hypo that required assistance, you have nothing to worry about. I have had no choice but to tell them about my diabetes for the last 18 years and my renewed license arrives everything 3 years when I request it. I was concerned this year due to the long time people have been saying it takes to get their license renewed. I applied online and had my new license within a week. They had the chance to ask my gp but I am pretty sure my go does not do anything within a week.
I know I would rather tell the dvla that risk driving illegally and uninsured.
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Thanks helli, reassuring.
 
I would not worry about informing the DVLA.

Renewing your licence every 3 years is easy enough, and the forms are pretty clear - just answer the questions accurately, especially that you haven’t had any disabling hypos and still have your warning signs intact (ie you haven’t had mild hypoglycaemia so frequently that you can no longer feel low BG coming on).

It’s quite understandable that you are worried, but it will quickly become routine and part of life, just like it did for me when I started on insulin in my early 20s 🙂
 
I have informed DVLA via the online form as I am on insulin and am waiting for their reply, do I have to let my insurance know too ?
 
My understanding is this. If you have to tell DVLA then you need to tell your insurer. That's what Admiral told me when I spoke to them about being diabetic in the first place.
 
Inka said:
I would @jezsuttonuk It shouldn’t affect your premium and that way they can’t accuse you of withholding information.
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The details on your insurance need to be correct, your licence type will have changed from full uk licence to a medical restricted 3 year licence so you’ll need to update that with your insurer
 
Jonesy63 said:
Being on a restricted licence doesn’t make a difference to your insurance
Click to expand...
Doesn’t affect the price but your insurance policy can be invalid if you haven’t given the correct details, and driving without valid insurance is serious
 
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