Potential reasons for not driving are frequent hypoglycaemia, lack of recognition or vision problems.

DIABETES

On 1^st January 2018 the Department of Transport changed the law around driving and diabetes. The changes mean that only people who have severe hypoglycaemia episodes while they are awake could lose their driving licence. The new regulations will also mean that people who lose their licence after having severe episodes of hypoglycaemia will be able to renew their licence within three months of their last episode.  In February 2019, the law was updated further to include the use of interstitial fluid continuous glucose monitoring systems (FGM or RT-CGM) in addition to finger prick capillary glucose testing.

Detailed information about these changes can be found on the following DVLA and Diabetes UK websites:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabetes-mellitus-assessing-fitness-to-drive

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/News/law-change-diabetes-driving

 STROKE

If your patient drove before their stroke, do they want to start again?

If "Yes" (within 6 months of stroke/TIA) or unsure or need more advice, refer to Driving Assessment Centre 0131 537 9192 who can give advice, undertake driving assessment (locally) and provide equipment/aids.

Patients should not drive within 1 month of a stroke, TIA or amaurosis fugax.

For further useful information on driving after a stroke, click on the links below:

Government guidance on driving after Stroke

Stroke Association guidance on driving after Stroke