Diabetes can cause impairment while driving. Before getting behind the wheel of a car, it is essential that you test your blood glucose level.

Officers make decisions about impaired drivers based on individual signs, symptoms, behaviors, and the observations of others. Some effects of diabetes mimic other conditions. For example, signs of hypoglycemia can mimic signs of other impairment.

Other signs of impairment include:

• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Memory loss
• Impaired judgment
• Extreme exhaustion
• Difficulty making simple decisions
• Chronic drowsiness
• Impaired response or reaction time
• Inability to concentrate
• Impulsive behaviors
• Severe shortness of breath
• Episodes of impaired or altered consciousness

Your MD is required to report you to the Department of Transportation if your blood glucose levels are widely fluctuating and your A1C is elevated. This can result in restrictions to your driving capabilities.

Some restrictions may include daylight driving only, limited area of driving or banning freeway or interstate driving. Driving tests may also be recommended, including vision tests, road tests, knowledge tests or a combination of these.

Before driving, your blood glucose should be >100 mg/dL.

• If you are <80 mg/dL, you need to consume carbohydrate to raise it to >100 mg/dL.
• If your blood glucose is <70 mg/dL, you will need to treat it with 15 grams carbohydrate, but you will need to wait 45 minutes before you can drive again. This is due to the fact that it takes 45 minutes for the brain to recover from hypoglycemia.

To avoid serious consequences, attempt to test your blood glucose 45 minutes prior to driving, so you can make certain your blood glucose is safely within range to drive.