Taxi Driver Online

What I meant was that the exact mechanics of a driver passing out was irrelevant to the debate, I didn't mean that the danger of a driver passing out was irrelevant.

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Dundee rocks. Almost.

what sort of insurance quote is somebody in this position going to get ?

[quote="Doom]If everyone was that reliable it wouldn't be a problem, but we all know not everyone is don't we.[/quote]

I think one class of goods vehicle below HGVs allows the insulin-dependent diabetic to drive if basically they can show a responsibile attitude and that their blood sugar level is stable and a doctor endorses this. As with any other health issue how well it's coped with depends on the responsibility and attitude of the person receiving treatment.

So for some councils to ban diabetics altogther seems inconsistent with this, and underlines yet another shortcoming in leaving each LA to devise its own rules.

In particular, some councils ban diabetics altogether, but if the diabetic is treated by diet and/or tablets (ie most diabetics, I would imagine) then I doubt if there's any more danger of them passing out than any other driver.

As Toots says many drivers are arguably ticking time bombs and probably a bigger risk than many diabetics, yet there's little control over them.

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Dundee rocks. Almost.

Very true, I was just pointing out rules are there for a reason, I've no problem with the guy getting a badge myself, but I do feel that as he already suffers from this condition he's not doing himself any favours wanting to be a cab driver.

If he goes for a C1 licence the Government guidelines say he could still be licensed.
Medical Criteria
45. It is clearly good practice for medical checks to be made on each driver before the initial grant of a licence and thereafter for each renewal. It is common for licensing authorities to apply the 'Group 2' medical standards - applied by DVLA to the licensing of lorry and bus drivers - to taxi and PHV drivers. This seems best practice. The Group 2 standards preclude the licensing of drivers with insulin treated diabetes. However, exceptional arrangements do exist for drivers with insulin treated diabetes, who can meet a series of medical criteria, to obtain a licence to drive category C1 vehicles (i.e. 3500-7500 kgs lorries); the position is summarised at Annex B to the Guidance. It is suggested that best practice is to apply the C1 standards to taxi and PHV drivers with insulin treated diabetes.
Annex B: Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Best Practice Guidance
Assessing applicants for a taxi or PHV driver licence in accordance with C1 standard
Exceptional circumstances under which DVLA will consider granting licences for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or with more than 8 passenger seats.
Insulin treated diabetes is a legal bar to driving these vehicles. The exceptional arrangements that were introduced in September 1998 were only in respect of drivers who were employed to drive small lorries between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes (category C1). The arrangements mean that those with good diabetic control and who have no significant complications can be treated as "exceptional cases" and may have their application for a licence for category C1 considered. The criteria are
• To have been taking insulin for at least 4 weeks;
• Not to have suffered an episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person whilst driving in the last 12 months;
• To attend an examination by a hospital consultant specialising in the treatment of diabetes at intervals of not more than 12 months and to provide a report from such a consultant in support of the application which confirms a history of responsible diabetic control with a minimal risk of incapacity due to hypoglycaemia;
• To provide evidence of at least twice daily blood glucose monitoring at times when C1 vehicles are being driven (those that have not held C1 entitlement in the preceding 12 months may provide evidence of blood glucose monitoring while driving other vehicles);
• To have no other condition which would render the driver a danger when driving C1 vehicles; and
• To sign an undertaking to comply with the directions of the doctor(s) treating the diabetes and to report immediately to DVLA any significant change in condition.