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Driving and diabetes

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Driving and diabetes

If you have diabetes there are some important facts that you need to know about driving. 

  1. You need to notify VicRoads that you have diabetes and require insulin or medication to manage it. 
  2. You need to carry hypoglycaemia (hypo) treatment with you all the time if you are on insulin or medication that can potentially cause hypos. 
  3. You need to be aware of all new and existing Victorian road rules. 

For detailed information visit the VicRoads website.

Perception and appropriate judgement

Driving is a complex task involving perception and appropriate judgement which can be affected by: 

  • Hypoglycaemia (low glucose level) 
  • Hyperglycaemia (high glucose level) 
  • Impaired vision from retinopathy or associated with high and low glucose levels 
  • Numb feet or hands (neuropathy) 
  • Anything that can distract the driver.  

For detailed information on how ageing can affect driving visit the VicRoads website here.

Hypoglycaemia while driving

To be safe while driving, a glucose level of 5.0 mmol/L or more is necessary. Insulin and some diabetes medications (sulphonylureas) can cause hypoglycaemia. Hypos occur when a person’s glucose level falls below 4.0 mmol/L. Hypos can impair a person’s ability to drive. People with diabetes describe having a hypo as feeling shaky, sweating, dizziness, a racing heart, feeling hungry, irritable or not being able to think clearly. 

However, some people have hypos without any symptoms or warning signs. This is called impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. When driving, this can be dangerous as the person may not realise their concentration is affected and their reaction time is slower. They can also lose consciousness without warning. A glucose level that is less than 4 mmol/L  is hypoglycaemia, even if you don’t have symptoms. 

If you have a severe hypo (become unconscious or unable to treat your hypo yourself) do not drive until you have discussed this with your diabetes healthcare team. 

Safe driving tips 

If you take insulin or medications that can cause hypoglycaemia (hypo):

  • Check your glucose level before driving.  
  • Only drive if your glucose level is higher than 5 mmol/L.  
  • Have your glucose meter, hypo treatment (e.g. jellybeans) and carbohydrate snacks with you at all times, even on short trips.  

If you have a hypo while driving, pull over safely and turn off the ignition. Then:

  • Check your glucose level to confirm the level.  
  • If the level is less than 5mmol/L, this is considered unsafe for driving.  
  • Immediately treat the hypo with 15 grams of quick-acting carbohydrate.  
  • Wait 15 minutes and check your glucose level again.  
  • Once your glucose level is above 5 mmol/L you may need to eat 15 grams of a longer acting carbohydrate.  

On long trips, plan regular stops for glucose checking and snack breaks.  

  • Some drivers with diabetes choose to wear identification that states their name, doctor and diabetes treatment.  
  • If you think you have hypo unawareness, speak to your doctor or diabetes educator to take steps to regain your hypo awareness. 

Glucose sensing devices 

Some people with diabetes may choose to wear a glucose sensing device to monitor their glucose levels. These devices need a reader which displays the glucose levels. This reader can be a stand-alone device provided by the company or a smart phone app. Glucose sensing devices can give you greater insight and reduce the need for finger pricking, but it is important to remember that glucose sensing devices are also subject to rules and regulations when in use while driving.

As of 31 March 2023, the use of a mobile phone or reader while driving is a traffic offence. Driving is classified as being in the car with the ignition on. Using a glucose sensing device while stopped in traffic is prohibited.
Read more here.  

In cases where checking glucose levels is urgent, the safe – and legal – way to do so is to pull over safely, stop the car, turn the ignition off and then check. 

Notifying VicRoads

How often you need to notify VicRoads may vary depending on the type of diabetes and changes in other medical conditions. If you have changes to your health that impact your ability to drive safely, you may be required to send in medical reports more often.

* If you are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have long-standing type 2 diabetes, talk to your health professionals regularly about driving, your current individual fitness to drive and the need to report health condition (s) to Vic Roads Medical Review. 

Diabetes type  Private licence
(car, motorcycle, light truck)		 Commercial licence
(bus, truck)
Type 2 diabetes controlled by diet and exercise alone* Driver not required to tell VicRoads medical review team.
 		 Driver not required to tell VicRoads medical review team.
 
Type 2 diabetes treated by glucose-lowering agents (not insulin) Driver needs to tell VicRoads on diagnosis or when they begin taking medications 
then every five years		 Driver needs to tell VicRoads on diagnosis or when they begin taking medications
then every year
Type 1 or type 2 diabetes controlled by insulin Driver needs to tell VicRoads on diagnosis then every two years Driver needs to tell VicRoads on diagnosis then every year

Applying for your learner's permit

If you are applying for your learner’s permit and you have diabetes, you must notify VicRoads medical review team and provide a medical report before a permit can be issued. Failure to notify VicRoads medical review team is an offence and may result in your permit being suspended or cancelled. 

Further information

The following resources contain more information on diabetes and driving:

For further help please contact our advocacy staff by calling 1300 136 588 or head to our contact us page.

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