Up to Date HGV Licencing

[Alasdair Martin]

Hi All,
I am currently considering a career change as I'm fed up with work, and an HGV driver is something I've been considering.
I wonder if anyone can give me some up to date info on their experience in the process? I'm mainly looking to find out the medical review process, but also would be good to hear if anyone has had any difficulties finding work due to the condition. I thought perhaps some companies couldn't or wouldn't isure Diabetics.
Any info very much appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Alasdair Martin

I’m not sure we currently have any members who drive HGVs for a living, though I think we may have one or two with a Group 2 license.

The rules are much stricter for Group 2, and your license / fitness to drive needs to be assessed annually I believe.

There is some information here that may help

Diabetes and your driving licence

There are extra rules for people with diabetes who want to drive. This is to make sure it’s safe for you and others. This information is about what to tell your driving licensing authority when you have diabetes. We’ve campaigned for years to make sure the law is fair. So that you can carry on...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Alasdair Martin]

Welcome to the forum @Alasdair Martin

I’m not sure we currently have any members who drive HGVs for a living, though I think we may have one or two with a Group 2 license.

The rules are much stricter for Group 2, and your license / fitness to drive needs to be assessed annually I believe.

There is some information here that may help

Diabetes and your driving licence

There are extra rules for people with diabetes who want to drive. This is to make sure it’s safe for you and others. This information is about what to tell your driving licensing authority when you have diabetes. We’ve campaigned for years to make sure the law is fair. So that you can carry on...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Thanks for getting back to me Mike, and thanks for the info links.
Judging by what I've discussed with the Diabetes specialist I would manage with the medical but I have heard it's a bit of a lengthy process and requires strict monitoring with a meter rather than CGM.
Would be good to hear others experiences, that's all.
Obviously it's a big step in career change so don't want to launch into anything without sufficient research.
Thanks again

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Yes I gather you need to build up (and maintain) a consistent BG monitoring schedule (that satisfies the requirements).

This has to be maintained whether or not you are driving as I understand it.

 

[Jonesy63]

Hi Alasdair, I have been driving Hgv’s for a long time now, and I was unfortunate to be diagnosed as type 1 just over 2 years ago. You have to test with a meter twice daily, every day, regardless as to whether you are driving, and when driving the hgv you must test every 2 hours. If you test below 5, you take something to raise the glucose, and then test again after 45 mins. Assuming your reading is above 5 you then wait another 45mins and retest . Your licence will run for 12 months, and when it is due to expire Dvla will send the forms to fill in and you will have to see a specialist dr who will ask a few questions, and check your meter for the previous 6 weeks reading.
Regarding employers, well in my case I had quit my job originally because it takes a long time to get the Hgv licence back when you have lost it, I applied for a couple of vacancies that were really keen but I am sure I didn’t get the job because of the diabetes. In fact one was definitely the case, because I knew one of the drivers there and he confirmed it to me when I next saw him.
However, I did get some agency work, and luckily ended up back at the company I was with, and they are absolutely fine with it.
Good luck if you decide on it.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for your detailed reply @Jonesy63. That's really helpful.

Glad you were able to get your job back with your old company.

 

[Jonesy63]

To be perfectly honest, I was under the impression that if you tested below 5 when driving, you only had to wait 45 mins before you can drive again, assuming you went over 5, but it was when I went for my medical last week that the prof of diabetes at Leicester General Hospital informed me that was a popular misconception and you actually have to wait 45 mins, & then test again 45 mins later.