Type 2 and Insulin

[Sparky Sue]

Hi, My husband is T2 it is hereditary and not weight related. He has been told that he should consider going onto insulin however he is concerned about the effect this will have on his driving both for work and his pastime of riding motorbikes. We also travel on the continent.
We know the health benefits / risks, but would like to know how much taking insulin for Type 2 will effect driving and travel insurances. Can anyone advise please.

 

[helli]

With Type 1, I have no choice but to take insulin.
It has not stopped me driving for pleasure, work or anything else (shopping is not pleasure!).
Anyone one taking blood sugar lowering medication such as insulin must declare it to the DVLA who will replace the standard driving license with one that needs to be renewed every 3 years. Provide your husband is hypo aware and has had no severe hypos requiring assistance, the licenses should be renewed with no problem.
I have a "standard" driving license but understand there may be some limitations if your husband wants to drive abnormal vehicles such as large lorries.

Regarding driving insurance, I need to declare that I have diabetes but the cost is unaffected.

 

[trophywench]

I didn't even learn to drive until I was in my mid 30s and I'd been Type 1 for 14-ish years.

NonD husband rides as well as drives and I well remember spending a few days up in the Lake District with a gang of us on Blackbirds - one of whom was T1 - and two pillions were T1 too. Though the rest of us could most certainly all criticise his riding - being a c**p rider was nob all to do with his diabetes ! (He lived in London and clearly unused to either hills or valleys - let alone twisties with idiots driving ruddy great people carriers down the middle of narrow lanes giving bikers the choice between a head on collision and a drystone wall ! Make certain your bike horn works well before going there .... headlight flashes are not sufficient 😱 )

 

[Inka]

What does he drive at work @Sparky Sue ? For travel insurance I just use a company for people with pre-existing medical conditions and have had no problem getting insurance and travelling.

 

[Oldlady]

I'm new here but would agree with Helli. I've been type 2 for years on various tablets and Victoza (non-insulin injection). My diabetes is not under control - just can't get into the right frame of mind - and the increase in medication has been inevitable through my own fault. As I remember I was told to inform the DVLA but they said there was no further action required. On-line insurance applications ask about medical issues and I was able to state that the DVLA was informed. To my knowledge it made no difference at all to the cost.

Recently I was put on insulin (and my latest blood plasma was 21 and Hba1c was 91 so I'm still not getting there!) I informed the DVLA and they asked for my licence back and issued a new one which, like Helli said, only lasts 3 years. Comparing my husband's licence and mine (both gained in early 80s) it looks like they have removed Category C1 and D1 and C1E and D1E which are all bigger or minibus type vehicles. As far as I'm aware I could still drive these on application for a separate licence but not likely to do that at my age!!

The main issue as I can tell though is that prior to driving you MUST test bloods and should carry your testing kit with you. If you drive for more than a certain number of hours you need to test again. If you had an accident and couldn't show that your levels were ok it could void your insurance. My doctor gave me a whole load of info from the DVLA but you can look here https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving. It really gets me because this is all about hypos really and I feel low if I get anywhere near single figures!! Hope this helps. Norma

PS I'm not sure about the change for my insurance as I haven't been able to get in touch with them yet - oops

 

[EllsBells]

I didn't even learn to drive until I was in my mid 30s and I'd been Type 1 for 14-ish years.

NonD husband rides as well as drives and I well remember spending a few days up in the Lake District with a gang of us on Blackbirds - one of whom was T1 - and two pillions were T1 too. Though the rest of us could most certainly all criticise his riding - being a c**p rider was nob all to do with his diabetes ! (He lived in London and clearly unused to either hills or valleys - let alone twisties with idiots driving ruddy great people carriers down the middle of narrow lanes giving bikers the choice between a head on collision and a drystone wall ! Make certain your bike horn works well before going there .... headlight flashes are not sufficient 😱 )

Blackbirds are lush - you lucky things!