sulphonylureas and driving

Last edited 06/2019

Regarding group 1 entitlement:

Diabetes treated by medication other than insulin

• managed by tablets carrying hypoglycaemia risk
  • Group 1
    • Including sulphonylureas and glinides
      • may drive and need not notify the DVLA, provided:
        • no more than 1 episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in the last 12 months and the most recent episode occurred more than 3 months ago
        • should practise appropriate glucose monitoring at times relevant to driving
        • under regular review
      • it is appropriate to offer self monitoring of blood glucose at times relevant to driving to enable the detection of hypoglycaemia
      • if the above requirements and those set out in INF188/2 are met, the DVLA need not be informed. The DVLA must be notified if clinical information indicates the agency may need to undertake medical enquiries
        
        
• managed by other medication, including non-insulin injectables
  • excluding sulphonylureas and glinides
    • Group 1

• may drive and need not notify the DVLA, provided the requirements set out in INF188/2 are met and the driver is under regular medical review.
• may drive but must notify the DVLA if clinical information indicates the agency may need to undertake medical enquiries

Diabetes managed by diet/lifestyle alone

• Group 1
  • may drive and need not notify the DVLA. Must not drive and must notify the DVLA if, for example
    • relevant disqualifying complications develop such as diabetic retinopathy affecting visual acuity or visual fields
    • insulin treatment is required

Other specific diabetes related problems where the DVLA needs to be informed:

• if a patient develops any problems with the circulation or sensation in his/her legs or feet which make it necessary for him/her to drive certain types of vehicles only, for example automatic vehicles or vehicle a hand operated accelerator or brake. This must be noted on his/her driving licence
• hypoglycaemia
  • if more than one episode of disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) within 12 months, or if at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia
    • Group 1 drivers - episodes of hypoglycaemia occurring during established sleep are no longer considered relevant for licensing purposes unless there are concerns regarding their hypoglycaemia awareness (1)
  • if develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia
  • if suffer disabling hypoglycaemia while driving

For more details and up to date guidance may be obtained from the publication "At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive" and the website www.dvla.gov.uk.

Reference:

• (1) DVLA (March 2019). For Medical Practitioners. At a glance guide to the medical standards for fitness to drive.