Insulin and C1 Licence

[justinh]

Been to my doctor, diabetic nurse, DVLA etc. and I cant get a definitive on whether I can get a c1 licence. Sadly I have a vintage Bedford TK horsebox/camper that I am not wishing to part with and so I need to get the c1 entitlement. I have been diabetic for 5 years and on insulin for 1 year. I have on very rare occasions gone low but recognised it and had no problems. my problems are two fold firstly with levels often in the 20s and rarely below 8 can this be considered controlled in the DVLA definition and secondly if I get a reading of below 4 does that mean I have had a hypo and the whole three months readings stand against me? I just cant get my questions answered as to whether I can get the c1 entitlement. Does the fact I don't wish to drive commercially help? anyone know any of the answers?

 

[Vicsetter]

Yes you can get a C1 licence - --- but --- you need to fill in a big questionnaire and get your GP/Consultant to fill it in as well (you will probably have to pay for this) and you will need to do this every year (not 3 years).
The C1 licence relates to the size of vehicle and not whether it is for commercial use or not.

See : http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-dvla-driving-licence.html

If you take medication to control your diabetes, you will need to inform the DVLA and fill in a ‘VDIAB1SG’ form. The form asks a number of different questions about how your diabetes is managed as well as asking for details of your GP and consultant.

In order to apply for a licence to drive buses, coaches or lorries, you must ensure that you meet the following qualifying conditions:

No episodes of hypoglycemia which have required assistance whilst driving within the last 12 months. You must undertake to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels at least twice a day and at times relevant to your driving.

If your application is successful, then you will need to continue to monitor in this way, particularly at times relevant to driving larger vehicles than cars or motorcycles.

Every 12 months, you will need to arrange to be examined by a hospital consultant who specialises in diabetes. At the time of this examination, the consultant will need to review your blood glucose records for the previous 3-month period.
You must have no other medical condition which would bar you from driving these vehicles.

It's all a bit of nonsense really as you only have to have 2 meters, one for your use and one for the consultant check-up, you can work out how it could work and I am not suggesting you fiddle the system🙄

 

[justinh]

Let me be clear about what I am asking I know the criteria it is, but how it will be interpreted?

Lying about meter readings is not an option. I need to get my diabetes managed not pretend it is. What I want to clarify is will the DVLA consider me to be poorly controlled and refuse my licence with high readings or (as I have been advised elsewhere) it does not matter how well controlled I am as long as I am not getting hypos and know what one looks like?

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, justinh.

The key factor is whether or not you need assistance with hypoglycaemia. If yo can recognise symptoms of hypoglycaemia and treat yourself without outside assistance, then you should be OK. Having occasional episodes of hypoglycaemia per se is not usually a problem.

It's difficult to know how regular readings of 20mmol/l would be regarded by DVLA. Certainly not a good situation for your health.

 

[Vicsetter]

Let me be clear about what I am asking I know the criteria it is, but how it will be interpreted?

Lying about meter readings is not an option. I need to get my diabetes managed not pretend it is. What I want to clarify is will the DVLA consider me to be poorly controlled and refuse my licence with high readings or (as I have been advised elsewhere) it does not matter how well controlled I am as long as I am not getting hypos and know what one looks like?

You have the facts, no-one other than the DVLA can say whether you will lose your C1 licence.
It would appear from the rules that regular blood testing and meeting the DVLA requirements AND not having any unrecognised hypoglycaemic episodes or ones requiring assistance and getting the all clear from a consultant SHOULD enable you to regain your C1 licence. I can see nothing in the DVLA documentation that defines well-controlled, or even mentions hyperglycaemia but the emphasis is on hypos. Yes a reading under 4 is a hypo, and you shouldn't be driving under 5, but that shouldn't stop you having a C1.

Silly question but have you asked DVLA medical helpline? If you have and couldn't get an answer then you will just have to apply, pay for your medical assessments and cross your fingers.