Proposals to extend the driving licence period for people with diabetes

Proposals to extend the driving licence period for people with diabetes

The Driving Licence Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has put forward proposals to extend the licensing periods for people with insulin-treated diabetes to up to 10 years. At present the period for people with Group 1 licences (cars and motorcycles) is at least every 3 years. The key point to remember about this is that it is up to 10 years, so it must not be assumed that everyone with insulin-treated diabetes will automatically receive a 10 year licence, just as they do not automatically receive a 3 year licence at present.

The aim is that the proposals will form part of the Government’s Dregulation Bill which is expected to receive Royal Assent by the autumn, so the changes could be introduced as early as 2015.

Readers may remember that on behalf of IDDT, Jenny Hirst attended a consultation meeting called by the DVLA last year where this proposal was discussed. At this meeting she expressed the view that if these proposals come into effect, then IDDT hopes that the efficiency of the DVLA will improve and people will not be kept waiting for weeks and months for the renewal of their licence. The delays that have been, and still are, occurring cause anxiety and stress not only to the person with diabetes but to their families, especially when this means an inability to drive and livelihoods are at risk. Unless the DVLA intend making staff redundant, the fact that they will have significant less applications, should improve their efficiency and the speed of dealing with applications. Time will tell…

Just to remind you: changes in the period of the licence do not alter the fact that people with diabetes taking insulin have to notify the DVLA if they develop loss of hypo warnings, if they have more than one severe hypo in any 12 month period and if they have any changes in their health or complications that materially affect their ability to drive.