Diabetics ban to be reviewed
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by Nicky Clarke • The Government could face a judicial review of its decision to ban diabetics from driving trucks over 3.5 tonnes.
The second EC driving licence directive, which came into force at the start of the year, states that insulin-dependent drivers will not be granted new licences to drive vehicles larger than 3.5 tonnes when their current licences expire.
Diabetics' licences are reviewed on a one to threeyearly basis. And since 1991 diabetic drivers have been allowed to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.
The British Diabetic Association (BDA) has received hundreds of calls from drivers set to lose their jobs. It is considering a judicial review because it says the UK Government's interpretation of the law is discriminatory and based upon "prejudice". It adds that insulin-dependent drivers in other parts of the EU are still being granted licences for 7.5-tanners.
The BDA says it has not had time to fight the move, which came out of the blue "a couple of months ago". It now hopes to have a meeting with Transport Minister Glenda Jackson to persuade her to reverse the decision.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency says the ban is in line with the EC Directive, which requires all goods vehicles drivers to meet the same health standards.