People living with type 1 diabetes have to take extra precaution before driving. This post will cover what people living with t1d have to do in the UK.
Legal Requirements
Firstly, you have to declare to the DVLA that you have diabetes. This will not stop you from driving, they just need to know about any medical conditions.
People living with diabetes also have to renew their licences more frequently. This is so the DVLA can monitor any diabetic complications, or lack of hypo awareness.
These are the legal requirements in the UK:
- Check your blood sugars no longer than 2 hours before driving (really you should be checking just before)
- Check your blood sugars every 2 hours on a long journey
- Always carry sugary snacks and slow releasing carbs (snack bar, sandwich, etc)
If you have a hypo while driving
- Pull over and stop when it is safe
- Remove the keys from the ignition
- Get out of the driver’s seat
- Check blood sugars and treat the hypo
- Do not drive for 45 minutes AFTER you feel better (this allows brain to fully recover so you can drive safely)
Car snack ideas
You also have to have access to hypo snacks in your door pocket. It needs to be a large opened bag so you can reach down easily and eat.
Here are some ideas, I prefer to have dried fruit rather than sweets all the time.
- Dried mango
- Raisins, cranberries, dates
- Fruit pastels
- Sweets of choice
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If you liked this post, be sure to check out Top tips on alcohol consumption and diabetes control! and Restaurants and Diabetes 101