Following a major campaign victory, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) have issued new guidance coming into effect from today, 15 February. People with diabetes can now check their glucose (sugar) levels using flash glucose monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring.
The DVLA and DVA now advise that flash glucose monitors (we call it Flash) and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can be included as a way of monitoring sugar levels as an alternative to finger-prick testing while driving Group 1 Vehicles (cars and motorcycles).
People with diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar levels while driving, because having hypos can impair people’s ability to drive safely and a severe hypo can endanger both the driver’s life as well as that of other road users. A severe hypo means the assistance of another person is required.
Up to this point, only finger-prick testing was accepted as means of checking sugar levels while driving, despite the fact that thousands of people use Flash to monitor their sugar levels in all other aspects of their lives.
From today, drivers of cars and motorcycles (not large vehicles) can use both Flash and CGM to test their sugar levels behind the wheel.
Nikki Joule, Policy Manager at Diabetes UK, said:
“A huge thank you to all the campaigners who helped make this change possible. Diabetes UK have been campaigning for the use of these technologies, which make people’s lives easier and improve their ability to monitor their blood glucose levels day-to-day, including whilst driving.
“We look forward to keep on working with the DVLA to make sure people with living with diabetes are treated fairly, and that everyone with the condition is able to hold a driving license if they meet medical fitness standards.”
If you have any concerns or need advice about driving with diabetes, call our helpline. You can also find more information in our guide to driving with diabetes.
