Driving - FAQ

I have just been diagnosed with diabetes. Do I need to inform the DVLA?

If your diabetes is treated with insulin or tablets, by law you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), usually in Ireland under the Motor Taxation Office as soon as you can after the diagnosis has been made. You should also inform them if you have had diabetes for some time and are applying for a licence, maybe for the first time.

If you are being treated by diet alone for your diabetes, you do not need to inform the DVLA. However, if you begin to take tablets or insulin, you must inform them of this

Does having diabetes preclude you from having a driving license for public service vehicles such as a taxi/hackney?

The driving license required to drive a taxi is the standard driving licence and normal rules apply. Renewal of the license is based on medical fitness to drive. When applying for a driving license, the individual applies under categories (and sub-categories). But for assessment of medical fitness to drive, vehicles are divided into two main groups (Group 1 - a motorbike or a car with less than 8 passengers including driver, vehicle must weigh less than 3500 tons and Group 2 - larger vehicles. Application for renewal of a Group 1 driving license must be accompanied by a medical report irrespective of the type of diabetes or the method of treatment. For many applicants, their general practitioner, who will determine how long the report is valid for, may complete the medical report. In the case of a person requiring insulin, it is usually the hospital consultant that completes this report.

Provided your taxi is not more than a seven seater, these rules apply. If it is larger, you need a group two licence which is much more stringent.

Regardless of the size of the vehicle used, you will need to have a letter from your consultant stating that your diabetes is stable for insurance purposes.

I have Type 2 diabetes and need to start insulin. Does this mean that I will lose my HGV licence?

The licensing authority in Ireland state that it is only “in exceptional circumstances “ that a person requiring insulin therapy will be given a Class 2 licence. Part of the requirement for application for a Class 2 licence requires a specialist diabetes consultant’s letter stating that you have stable diabetes for the past year. Unfortunately, starting on insulin therapy means that your diabetes is currently unstable.

 

Read article on Diabetes and Driving

 

APP/KOL/AC 22/02/07