§ Mr. EnnisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many drivers suffering from diabetes have informed the DVLA of their condition. [148617]
§ Mr. HillThe treatment of diabetes can be by insulin, tablet or diet or a combination of these.
Diabetics treated by diet do not need to notify the Agency of this condition.
Diabetics treated by tablets do need to notify the Agency, but no further medical investigation is needed. A reply is sent to the driver explaining that the licence can be retained and the Agency only need to be further notified if certain conditions apply in relation to diabetic control (tablet/diet). Some 15,000 such notifications are received on an annual basis.
Diabetics treated by insulin must notify the Agency of this. Drivers are sent a detailed questionnaire to complete. Provided the diabetes is well controlled, a three year licence is issued. Some 100,000 diabetics on insulin have notified this condition to the Agency.