Diabetes and driving

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.

Check with your nurse or doctor if you do not know what type of medication you’re on.

Diabetes treated by insulin

Car or motorbike licence

You need to tell DVLA if:

  • your insulin treatment lasts (or will last) over 3 months
  • you had gestational diabetes (diabetes associated with pregnancy) and your insulin treatment lasts over 3 months after the birth
  • you get disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) - or a medical professional has told you that you’re at risk of developing it

Report your condition online

You can also fill in form DIAB1 and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form.

Read leaflet INF294 for more information about driving a car or motorbike with diabetes that’s treated with insulin.

Bus, coach or lorry licence

You must stop driving and tell DVLA when you start insulin treatment. DVLA will tell you when you can start driving again.

Fill in form VDIAB1I and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form.

Read leaflet INS186 to find out how to get a licence to drive larger vehicles if your diabetes is treated with insulin.

Diabetes treated by tablets or non-insulin injections

Car or motorbike licence

Check with your doctor or nurse to find out if your treatment means you need to tell DVLA.

If you do need to tell DVLA, fill in form DIAB1 and send it to the address on the form.

Read leaflet INF188/2 for more information about driving with diabetes that’s treated with non-insulin medication, diet or both.

Bus, coach or lorry licence

You must tell DVLA if your diabetes is treated by tablets or non-insulin injections. You must fill in:

  • form VDIAB1SG if your diabetes is treated by sulphonylurea or glinide tablets
  • form VDIAB1GEN if your diabetes is treated by any other tablets or non-insulin injections

Send the form to DVLA. The address is on the form.

Diabetes treated by diet

Car or motorbike licence

You do not need to tell DVLA.

Read leaflet INF188/2 for more information about driving with diabetes that’s treated by changes in diet.

Bus, coach or lorry licence

You do not need to tell DVLA.

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