Safe Driving Tips

Driving Recommendations

You should check your glucose less than two hours before the start of the first journey you make and then every two hours after driving has started.

Your blood glucose level should be 5 mmol/L or above before driving off.

If your blood glucose level is 4 - 5 mmol/L, you should have a slow-acting carbohydrate snack before you set off.

Always carry your glucose meter and blood glucose strips with you even if you use a real time glucose monitoring system or flash glucose monitoring system and remember to carry hypo treatment with you.

If hypoglycaemia does occur while driving stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.

Switch off the engine, remove the keys from the ignition and move from the driver's seat.

Treat the hypo and do not start driving again until 45 minutes after your finger prick glucose has returned to normal (at least 5mmol/L). It takes up to 45 minutes for the brain to recover fully.

If you use real time of flash glucose monitoring systems to check your glucose levels and the reading is 4 mmol/L or below, you must stop driving and confirm your finger prick glucose test reading.  Your finger prick glucose test must be at least 5 mmol/L before returning to drive.

You must tell the DVLA if :

You have more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake within the last 12 months.

You develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (difficulty in recognising the warning symptoms of low blood glucose).

If you suffer severe hypoglycaemia while driving.

Check that your blood glucose meter is displaying the correct time and date should you need to provide evidence of your blood glucose monitoring in the event of an accident.

If you are experiencing loss of your hypoglycaemia warning signs then seek advice from your diabetes team.

Alcohol

Alcohol can lower your blood glucose level and increase your risk of having severe hypoglycaemia, even into the following day.

When applying for motor insurance you must declare that you have diabetes even if not asked. You should also inform your insurance company of any changes to your condition or treatment. Failure to do so or failure to notify the DVLA where required could mean you are not covered.