Thousands of UK drivers could be affected.
The DVLA has revealed motorists suffering from a common medical condition may need to “stop driving now”. In the DVLA’s latest November 2025 ‘assessing fitness to drive’ report, officials warn motorists suffering from diabetes could be at risk. It is believed there are around 600,000 people with diagnosed diabetes in the UK who have driving licences, meaning thousands could be affected.
According to the DVLA report, only those suffering from diabetes and hypoglycaemia are only considered to have “adequate awareness” if they are able to recognise symptoms in time to safely stop the vehicle. Car drivers unable to recognise when their glucose level is low or starting to fall, or with a total absence of warning symptoms, are considered to have “impaired awareness”.
Motorists should test their glucose as often as possible (Image: Getty)
The DVLA has also issued a warning to those individuals who rely on glucose monitoring systems to track their blood sugar levels.
The report explains: “The alarms on glucose monitoring devices should supplement, not replace the individual’s own awareness and active self-monitoring practices. They should be set at appropriate levels of above 4.0mmol/L while driving. If a driver becomes dependent on these alarms to recognise low glucose, they must stop driving and notify DVLA.”
Those suffering from low blood sugar can experience several symptoms, such as blurry vision, confusion, or shakiness. In severe cases, drivers can become incapacitated or unconscious which is a serious risk for those in control of a vehicle.
According to the DVLA, glucose testing must take place at the start of the first journey. Motorists should then make sure to test their levels at least every 2 hours during the journey.
The DVLA also added that a maximum of two hours should pass between the pre-driving glucose test and the first check performed once the journey has started.
The DVLA report also admitted that criteria must be met for the DVLA to issue a licence to an individual suffering from insulin-treated diabetes for 1, 2 or 3 years.
As well as having “adequate awareness”, motorists must not have experienced 2 or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in the preceding 12 months.
Individuals must also practise “appropriate glucose monitoring” and cannot be regarded as a “likely risk to the public while driving”.
