Diabetes in dock drivers
For the latest guidance and advice on fitness to drive, you should refer to information from DfT and DVLA:
Insulin dependent drivers may drive some vehicles covered by a DVLA group 2 licence on the public highway providing certain conditions are satisfied. Employers should consider the guidance on medical fitness to drive published by DfT and DVLA, and use a risk assessment approach to decide whether employees with diabetes should drive certain types of vehicles within the workplace.
The relevant categories are:
C1 - motor vehicles having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg
C1 + E - combinations of motor vehicle and trailer where:
- The tractor vehicle is in sub-category C1;
- The maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 750kg but not the unladen weight of the trailer, and
- The maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes.
The specific conditions the driver must satisfy are:
- They have for at least 4 weeks been undergoing treatment with insulin
- They have not required assistance from another person to treat an episode of hypoglycaemia whilst driving in the last 12 months
- They are examined by a hospital consultant specialising in treatment of diabetes at intervals not exceeding 12 months
- Their application is supported by a report from such a consultant sufficient to satisfy the Secretary of State they have a history of responsible diabetic control with a minimal risk of incapacity due to hypoglycaemia
- They provide a declaration that they will:
- Comply with their doctors directions for the treatment of their diabetes
- Immediately report to the Secretary of State in writing any change in their condition, and
- Provide such evidence as may be requested by the Secretary of State that they continue to carry out their monitoring referred to below
- They regularly monitor their condition, in particular undertaking blood glucose monitoring at least twice daily and at times relevant to:
- If they have held a licence authorising the driving of vehicles in sub-category C1, C1+E or C1 +E (8.25 tonnes) for at least 12 months since starting insulin treatment, the driving of such vehicles, and
- In any other case, the driving of motor vehicles generally.
- The Secretary of State is satisfied that the driving of such a vehicle in pursuant of the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public
