Drivers with diabetes benefit from new medical reporting rules

Thanks to advancements in medicine, monitoring and treatment of diabetes, the rules for medical reporting have been relaxed for drivers with diabetes. Drivers with well-managed diabetes no longer have to provide annual driver medical reports, pending the approval of their physician.


The new rules reflect changes recommended at the national level by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators and take effect immediately. The changes will save time and money for individuals with diabetes and will allow physicians to provide more focused care for their patients.
The most significant changes are the elimination of annual driver medical reports for:

commercial drivers holding a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence with Type 2 diabetes treated with diet and oral medication; and,
non-commercial drivers holding a Class 5, 6 or 7 licence with Type 1 diabetes treated with insulin.
Driver medical reports will continue to be required:
at the onset of the disease;
when the status of the condition has changed, as determined by a physician or reported by the individual;
for individuals with both acute and chronic complications of the disease;
when an individual has suffered a severe hypoglycemic episode or an episode of hypoglycemic unawareness as determined by a physician or reported by the individual; and,
at the standard operator’s licence renewal cycle based on the age or Class of licence.
More information about medical conditions and safe driving is available online at www.transportation.alberta.ca/542.htm.