How many limits do they put on you because of D??

[grace girl]

Today I took my oldest to get his learner's permit, and while there the officer was running through a list of diseases, asking if he had them. He has none, thankfully, but when the guy got to diabetes I asked him a few questions.
Turns out that I'm apparently supposed to have reported to my state once I went on insulin with a note from my doctor stating that I can safely drive a car! And if I were to become unconscious while driving due to D, (and survive) they would temporarily suspend my liscense. Furthermore, I can't get a CDL because of the D. (Not that I'm planning on it, it's just the principle of the thing!)
Apparently nothing will actually come of this unless I take the first action because they can't legally ask me if I have D because I already have a driver's license.....I know my state is thought of as backwards but I thought all of this was a bit strange, really.
This is the first time I've run into any real issues other than my own personal ones!

Anything else I'm banned from that I'm not aware of yet?????

[JediSkipdogg]

The driver's license thing is not unusual and Ohio is 100% the same way. And yes, people do have accidents just because of Diabetes, ask my bro, he had two, one when he did $11000 in damage driving into a light pole made of concrete and the second where he sideswiped a car. The BMV didn't find out about the diabetes part, so he didn't get any restrictions. WHen they ask if I'm diabetic, I just say no. I know that's lying, but it's so much easier to deal with it later if caught than deal with it up front.

As for anything else...I haven't had any problems, but I do believe you are disqualified from a pilot's license as well.

[seacomp]

Anything else I'm banned from that I'm not aware of yet????? I believe there are similar restrictions on pilots.

[lgvincent]

Don't forget, you can't be an engineer or conductor for a railroad, either. A diabetic can not work at any job which can be promoted(?) to locomotive engineer, which in their eyes, is any job on a train crew, not that there are many left besides the two I just mentioned. If I'm not mistaken, I recall seeing on this forum that diabetics can't be a stewardess (or steward if male?) on an airline.

[jen_slc]

It's the same in UT too, grace girl. When you apply for a license, you are given a medical questionnaire and your doc is supposed to vouch for you and note whether you are safe to drive, classify you as safe/in control/whatever. It's never been a problem for me, it's usually an annual thing, but your doc can have them stretch it out (mine just gave me a 2-yr extension b/c he knows I'm in good control). It's a safety issue for all those with conditions that could pose a risk to others. I know, it doesn't seem fair, any driver out there could post a risk to others, it's just that we potentially pose a greater risk. I was initially denied a GA license when I lived there b/c my UT license had been temporarily suspended - I hadn't lived in UT for 5 years at that point but the UT DMV never got my annual medical form and never knew I had not been resident there.

Occupations where you are directly responsible for a large number of lives, particularly in the transportation industry (pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, bus drivers), are typically off-limits for us. Or at least, much harder to get into.

[FrankDr]

I believe there are similar restrictions on pilots.
There are special issuance medical certificates that allow you to fly private aircraft, but not commercial. I used to fly for a living many years ago. I guess it's a good that I changed careers before my dx.

There are actually a bunch of detailed requirements for testing and treating during flight. There are rules about what supplies you have to carry, when to test and what to do based on BG readings.

Later -

[aeromarv]

In Maryland, they would ask. If the answer was yes, you had to go to another facility to their "Medical Dept" and submit copies of A1Cs and such. Big pain in the bitt.

I moved to NC and during the switch to my new license, they asked about medical conditions, but not diabetes.

Its also nearly impossible to fly a plane. I always wanted to fly for the military. I can't fly for them. I can't even have a desk job! So, I went into engineering instead. If I can't fly 'em, then I'll design 'em!

[sofaraway]

in the Uk when you go onto any treatment other than diet+exercise you need to inform the DVLA. when i went onto insulin earlier this year i had to fill in a diabetes questionarre, and was issuesed with a new lisence that i need to re-apply for every 3 years.

In the UK you can't join any of the forces if you have diabetes,

[kgm0612]

I had to renew my driver's license back in August. I was expecting to see something on the renewal form related to medical questions.........nothing! It did ask if corrective eyewear was needed, but didn't ask whether or not you had diabetes. So.............I kept my mouth shut!

Karen

[grace girl]

I understand the logic behind all of this.....and I feel that I can safely say at this point in my life that I have no desire to join the armed forces, drive a truck, a train or fly a plane. But it still bothers me! Anytime someone tells me I can't do something it tends to get my hackles up!

[Silent Melody]

I don't know about other states, but I did some research and in the state of Georgia if you are insulin dependant you are able to get your pilots license. But only if you have documentation that you have been at least 5 years without any hospitalization or other emergancy situations due to your DM. I currently hold a CDL, I had it renewed just before I was diagnosed. I don't know whether I will still have it when I need to have it renewed again, I didn't read anything about it in my research. Athough I believe it stands to reason that it will have similar limitations as the pilot's license. Guess it doesn't really matter I don't drive a big rig anyway. But yes I agree with you, it's the principle of the matter

[Dewey]

Ironically, I've Never been asked about my Diabetes in both of the states I've lived (& had driver's licenses). The even funnier part is I always wear my pump in plain view, so I'm not hiding anything. :- They've just never asked...

Personally, I think we're just as qualified as anyone else to drive. Only difference is we just have to check our sugar levels & make sure they're not out of line.

[Keezheekoni]

I don't remember way back when I had my California license, but as far as GA and WA, neither state asked me if I had any health problems... I do have to register as having corrective lenses. That's about it. :D

I don't know about private pilot's licenses here, nor about commercial driver's licenses so I can't speculate on that one. (I'm in WA now.)

[Cyborg]

I've never been asked if I was diabetic while acquiring my FL driver's license.

[grace girl]

I've never been asked if I was diabetic while acquiring my FL driver's license.

The officer told me that legally they can't ask.....so I'm assuming it's up to you to volunteer the info? They asked my son all sorts of health questions, and this was for a permit, mind you! Of course, I live in Alabama....where things aren't always as they seem!

[JediSkipdogg]

The officer told me that legally they can't ask.....so I'm assuming it's up to you to volunteer the info? They asked my son all sorts of health questions, and this was for a permit, mind you! Of course, I live in Alabama....where things aren't always as they seem!

I don't think they are allowed to specifically ask about a certain condition. The way they have to ask is something like "Do you have any medical conditions" or "Do you have any medical conditions that could impare your driving ability" at which point you have to tell the truth. If you don't, and are caught, you can be charged with falsification or given a medical suspension or something of that sort.

[Diana]

Over here when you initially apply for your drivers licence there is a form which asks if you have any of the following conditions... Diabetes being one of them. If you do, you have to get a form filled out by your doc, generally every year. You also dont qualify for a normal licence if you have T1... instead you get what is called a "conditional licence"..There is no difference between a conditional and normal licence in practice, I guess they just like to give it a name like that to make us feel good? I actually just had my licence forms filed out today. Its a pain, and it is kind of annoying... I mean, they let all these idiots out on the road time and time again after they prove that they cannot follow road rules, refrain from drink driving or act like decent human beings behind the wheel. But I am a danger to society because of my diabetes. Yeah.

[It Ain't Over]

Right, do they ever ask anyone if they are an alcoholic, meth user, or do they drop acid on the weekends? Don't think so, but the D's are to be certified before being allowed on the road. :albertein