Diabetes ban
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I passed my then HGV test in December 1987 and in 1989 was diagnosed as having diabetes. I informed the Traffic Commissioner in Edinburgh and was told the condition could affect my driving but I could continue to hold the licence.
In December 19901 applied to renew the licence but it was refused on the grounds I was a diabetic. A lawyer looked into the matter but at that time all the files were being transferred to Swansea and new regulations in April 1991 banned new diabetics from holding a licence. Because I had held a licence and notified the Commissioner before the change am I able to hold an LGV licence ?
A The law dealing with .11 diabetes and truck drivers is contained in Regulation 6 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Large Goods and PassengerCarrying Vehicles) Regulations 1990.
It provides that diabetes which is subject to insulin treatment is a medical disability which prevents a person holding an LGV licence unless that person held a licence on 1 April 1991 and the Traffic Commissioner in whose area he lives or who granted the licence knew of the disability before 1 January 1991.
It appears that while you notified the Commissioner of the diabetes in 1989 and you were allowed to continue driving, your HU licence expired in December 1990 and was not renewed due to the medical condition.
Because the concession in the regulation applies only to drivers who held a licence on 1 April 1991 (the date diabetes was first specified as a disability), you cannot hold an WV licence if you are insulin dependent.