2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

11.11 Private drivers who have an episode of hypoglycemia unawarenessApplicationAssessmentguidelinesFitness guidelinesOSMVdeterminationguidelinesConditionsRestrictionsRe-assessmentguidelinesPolicy rationaleThese guidelines apply to driver fitness determinations for privatedrivers who have had an episode of hypoglycemia unawareness withinthe previous year. If the hypoglycemia unawareness is persistent (i.e.,the driver has not regained awareness), see the guidelines under 11.12.Driver fitness determinations will be made by case managers.If further information is required, OSMV will requestadditional information from the treating physician.Individuals may not drive for a minimum of 3 months after the episode.After 3 months, individuals may drive if: their treating physician has indicated to OSMV that they haveregained glycemic awareness and have stable glycemic control, and they follow the blood glucose monitoring guidelines for individualswith a history of severe hypoglycemia.OSMV may find individuals fit to drive if: it has been at least 3 months since the episode of hypoglycemiaunawareness, and their treating physician has indicated that they have regainedglycemic awareness and have stable glycemic control.OSMV will impose the following conditions on an individual who isfound fit to drive: you must report to OSMV and your physician if you have an episodeof severe hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia unawareness you must test your blood glucose concentration immediately beforedriving and approximately every hour while driving, and you must not drive, or you must stop driving, when your bloodglucose level falls below 6.0 mmol/L and you must not resumedriving until your blood glucose level has risen above 6.0 mmol/Lafter food ingestion.No restrictions are required.OSMV will re-assess in one year. At that time, if the treating physicianindicates that there have been no further episodes of hypoglycemiaunawareness within the past year, the conditions listed above will beremoved and the applicable guidelines for private drivers with diabeteswill apply.Hypoglycemia unawareness greatly increases the risk for hypoglycemiawhile driving. These guidelines require that glycemic awareness bereestablished before driving resumes. Once awareness and glucosestability are reestablished, more stringent glucose monitoring guidelinesare required temporarily to mitigate the increased risk of hypoglycemia.100