2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

RestrictionsRe-assessmentguidelinesPolicy rationaleNo restrictions are required.For Commercial Drivers, OSMV will re-assess annually.For Private Drivers, if blood glucose levels and treatment are not stable,OSMV will re-assess annually until levels and treatment are stable. If bloodglucose levels and treatment are stable, OSMV will re-assess every five yearsor in accordance with the schedule for age related re-assessment.OSMV will re-assess if insulin or insulin secretagogue therapy is initiated.Drivers with diabetes who are treated with insulin secretagogues have somerisk for hypoglycemia, but this risk is still considerably lower than thatassociated with insulin therapy. To mitigate this risk, OSMV requires thatthese drivers understand the risk and follow their physician’s advice formonitoring their blood glucose and maintaining stability.As there is some risk for hypoglycemia, this poses additional conditionsregarding how to avoid severe hypoglycemia while driving. Theseconditions are based on guidelines published by the Canadian DiabetesAssociation.The rationale for the requirement to report to OSMV if they experiencesevere hypoglycemia or if they begin insulin therapy is to ensure that driverswho are at increased risk meet the more stringent driver fitness guidelinesand conditions for driving associated with severe hypoglycemia or insulintherapy. There is no requirement to report hypoglycemia unawarenessbecause it is highly unlikely to occur to a driver who is not treated withinsulin.92