DVLA Confirms New Rules for Professional Drivers Living with Diabetes
In September 2025 we wrote about the proposed changes that the DVLA was considering for professional drivers who are living with diabetes. You can read that article, which also discusses the wider health checks that are required for drivers by clicking here.
From Friday 7th November 2025 the rules were changed to allow diabetic drivers of PSV’s and HGV’s to monitor their glucose levels using the Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (CGMS). These systems work by tracking glucose levels throughout the day and night be measuring glucose in the fluid under the skin, known as the ‘interstitial fluid’ with the use of a tiny sensor inserted just under the skin, which sends glucose readings to a transmitter which in turn sends the data to a receiver – usually a smartphone or dedicated monitoring device. This allows users to see their glucose levels in real-time and track trends, often with optional alarms for high or low levels.
Prior to this change in the rules, professional drivers who needed to monitor their glucose levels where required to undertake a ‘finger prick’ test, which needed to be done every 2 hours or so to correctly monitor the level of blood sugar in their systems – something that was very disruptive for a driver to deal with when on the road.
The new rule change brings the rules for professional drivers who have diabetes in line with the rules for general drivers on the UK roads which have allowed CGMS monitoring since 2018.
DVLA Chief Executive, Tim Moss CBW stated “this change is about making life easier for drivers with diabetes while keeping our roads safe. By embracing modern technology, we are helping thousands of professional drivers manage their condition more effectively and with greater confidence”.
The DVLA was also keen to point out that drivers who have diabetes and need insulin to control the condition (Type 1 diabetes) must continue to notify the DVLA of their condition. Those drivers with Type 2 diabetes which is controlled via their diet are not required to inform the authorities of their condition. Click here to read the full update on Diabetes and driving issued by the DVLA.
If you would like any further advice on this issue, then please call us on 01279 818280 or click here to send us an email. We are here to help.
© Richard Pelly November 2025
Latest Coach & Bus Industry News and Insight
DVLA Confirms New Rules for Professional Drivers Living with Diabetes
From Friday 7th November 2025 the rules were changed to allow diabetic drivers of PSV’s and HGV’s to monitor their glucose levels using Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems….
The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Statutory Guidance
The value of The Statutory Guidance Documents and the importance to operators, nominated transport managers and other professionals involved in the operation and driving of large commercial vehicles cannot be overstated…
Walkaround Checks – Where Road Safety Starts
Every day, often before the sun is above the horizon, hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicles are started up by their drivers and then they head out on to the UK’s road network to transport goods or passengers from one point to another, often with demanding time constraints thrown into the mix…
Traffic Commissioner’s Annual Report 2024/25: “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Time has flown by and once again we find that the schools are back after the long summer break and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has issued its annual report to the Secretary of State, providing a review of the year…
An Apple a Day to Keep the DVLA Away – A review of the DVLA’s Rules on Health Checks for Professional Drivers
There has been some discussion in the industry trade press recently that has highlighted proposed changes to how the disease of diabetes is monitored in professional drivers by the DVLA. One article in RouteOne Magazine stated that…
Revisiting the DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
In April 2025 the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued the latest edition of its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.
The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round….but how do they Stop?
At the tail end of 2024 a Public Inquiry was held in front of Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney where the subject of brake maintenance practices was called into question…
Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme for Commercial Vehicle Workshops is Launched
One of the key tenants of running a commercial vehicle operation, whether ‘HGV’ or ‘PSV’ is that the maintenance of the vehicles is paramount. For some operators this will mean having their own maintenance facilities and teams to look after their fleet of vehicles in house, but the majority of operators in the UK are reliant on 3rd Party maintenance providers…
New Rules for Vehicle Operators and Drivers Carrying Out International Journeys
The Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recently issued a bulletin regarding the new rules that vehicle operators and their drivers will have to comply with if travelling on international journeys…
Road Haulage Association Members and DVSA Leadership Work Shadow Each Other!
To help highlight the Road Haulage Association’s “National Lorry Week” which this year was between 4th and 8th November 2024, the Road Haulage Association and the DVSA’s Leadership team decided to spend some time work shadowing each other….
2024 Update to Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (GTMR)
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is the Driver & Vehicle Standard Agency’s (DVSA) standard produced in collaboration with key industry stake holders which explains the responsibilities and systems involved in maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy….
New Driver CPC Reforms to be in Force from 3rd December 2024
Following a very lengthy consultation period on this matter launched in early 2023, Parliament finally debated the “Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2024” on Tuesday 29th October 2024…
