This information is a general guide only. It does not replace individual medical advice from your health professional. You must make sure you are safe to drive and follow Australian driving laws. If you are worried about your diabetes or driving, talk to your health professional. Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to stop driving. It just means taking a few extra steps to stay safe. With good planning and support you can feel safe and confident behind the wheel. What’s on this page Don’t drive under 5 Tips for safe driving Other ways diabetes can affect driving Medical checks and your driver’s licence FAQs Don’t drive under 5 mmol/L If you take insulin or some types of diabetes medicines, the main risk to your safety is a low blood glucose level (or hypo). A hypo is where your blood glucose level drops below your target range. A low blood glucose level is dangerous when driving. It makes it hard to think clearly and react quickly. A glucose level above 5 mmol/L when you drive helps keep you and others on the road safe. It also gives you time to respond if your glucose level drops. Be alert for low glucose levels when driving Be on alert for symptoms of low glucose levels when driving and pull over as soon as you feel them. Checking your blood glucose levels often helps you stay safe. If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), turn on alarms for lows and predicted lows and pull over if an alarm sounds. For more information on driving safely with diabetes, explore the NDSS Diabetes and driving quick guide. Tips for safe driving Check your blood glucose level before driving and don’t drive under 5 mmol/L. Know the signs of a low glucose level. Keep a hypo kit and snacks in the car. If you use a CGM, make sure your low glucose alarms are on. Take regular breaks every 2 hours on long trips and check your blood glucose level. Don’t skip or miss meals before or during car trips. Have regular check-ups with your diabetes health professionals. Talk to your doctor about any diabetes-related issues that affect driving. Tony’s story I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a couple years ago, and I take tablets to manage it. One morning before a long drive I felt a little lightheaded but didn’t think too much of it. It turned out my blood glucose level was low. I hadn’t eaten enough. Now I always check my blood glucose level before I turn on the car engine. I also keep snacks and hypo treatment in the car, just in case. Tony, age 52, lives with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can affect your driving in other ways Poor vision: high or low glucose levels, or an eye condition called retinopathy can make it harder to see by causing blurry or reduced vision. Unexplained tiredness: sleep apnoea (causes breathing to stop during sleep) can affect how alert you are. Numb feet (loss of feeling): nerve damage or poor blood flow can make it hard to feel the pedals. Loss of consciousness (passing out): if very low glucose levels (severe hypo) are not treated, they can cause loss of consciousness. You can still drive with diabetes. You just need to take a few extra steps to stay safe. This includes having regular diabetes check-ups with your doctor. If you are worried your diabetes is affecting your driving, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to specialist health professionals for support. Medical checks and your driver’s licence In Australia there are rules (called medical standards for licensing) to ensure that people with health conditions like diabetes can drive safely. These rules affect the conditions on your licence and how often you need a medical check. They depend on: the type of diabetes you have whether you use insulin or glucose-lowering medicine if you have hypo unawareness your recent history of severe hypo events if you have diabetes-related complications whether you drive for work or personal use. Your doctor can help guide you. You can also check the Austroads website for more information about the medical standards and licensing. For information specific to your state or territory, contact your local driver licensing authority in your state or territory. Sarah’s story I was only diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a few months ago and learning to manage it while driving has been a big adjustment. I’m still getting used to how my glucose levels can change over the day. Now, I check my levels before I drive anywhere and make sure my CGM alarms are on. I always have my hypo kit and some fast-acting carbs with me. It’s added an extra layer of planning, but I know it worth it for my safety and others around me. Sarah, age 22, lives with type 1 diabetes. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) How often should I check my blood glucose level on long drives? Check your blood glucose level before driving, and then every 2 hours on long trips or when you feel symptoms of a low glucose level. Can I drive after treating a mild low glucose level? A low glucose level, even a mild one can affect your ability to drive safely. Make sure you are above 5 mmol/L and feel well before driving again (see page 3 of the Diabetes and driving quick guide for steps to get your BGL above 5 mmol/L). What if I’m almost 5 mmol/L but feel fine? Changes in glucose levels can happen while you are driving. Your glucose level should be above 5 mmol/L to drive, even if you feel fine. People with gestational diabetes who are using insulin should discuss safe blood glucose targets for driving with their doctor. What if I feel symptoms of a low glucose level while driving? Safely pull over, turn off the car engine and remove the keys from the ignition. Follow the steps on page 3 of the Diabetes and driving quick guide to treat your low glucose symptoms. What if I feel low but I don’t have my blood glucose meter with me? You should always carry your blood glucose meter with you when driving. But if for some reason you don’t have it with you and you feel low, safely pull over straight away. Symptoms of low glucose levels, such as dizziness, shaking, light-headedness, and blurred vision, affect your ability to drive safely. If you feel low and you can’t check your blood glucose level, treat it as a low. What if I’m low but I don’t have my hypo treatment with me? You must always have hypo supplies with you when you drive. But if for some reason you don’t, you must still pull over immediately if you feel low. You must not drive while your level is below 5 mmol/L, even to buy hypo treatment. Use any carbohydrates that you have with you, preferably fast acting, such as juice or lollies. You must wait until your level has risen above 5 mmol/L and you feel well before you drive. If you have nothing in the car, don’t drive or walk. Call for help. Can I rely only on CGM readings when driving? No. Sometimes CGMs can be inaccurate due to things like a new sensor or lag times. It is important to be aware of how you are feeling too. If you have any signs of a low glucose level (weakness, tiredness, shaking, dizziness, blurred vision, headache or trouble thinking) you must safely pull over as soon as possible and check your blood glucose level with a finger prick to confirm your glucose level. Can a high glucose level affect my driving? Yes. High glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) can make you feel tired, blur your vision and slow your thinking, which can all impact on your driving. If your blood glucose level is high and you feel unwell, it’s important not to drive. Do I need a medical review to drive with diabetes? Yes. If your diabetes is managed with insulin or medicines, you will need regular medical reviews to keep your licence. If your diabetes is managed by diet and exercise only, there are no licence conditions, but you should still see your doctor regularly. Ask your doctor how often you need to have a medical review. Will my diabetes affect my car insurance? Tell your car insurance company you have diabetes. They will let you know if they need more information and how it will affect your insurance. Can I drive for work, or as a commercial driver? Yes, you can. But there are different licensing conditions that you may need to meet to legally drive for work. Visit the Austroads website for more information about the medical standards and driving for work. I’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Can I still drive? Yes, you can. Having gestational diabetes does not affect your licence. However, you should talk with your health professional about safe blood glucose targets for driving. Diabetes and driving quick guide video This video answers common questions about diabetes and driving and provides information on where to get support. Available in other languages Watch now Diabetes and driving quick guide This quick guide answers common questions about diabetes and driving and provides information on where to get support. Available in other languages Download Last updated: January 2026
