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What is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)?
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) affects the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms like
• Numbness and loss of feeling
• Tingling and pins and needles
• Pain (burning or stabbing)
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Reduced sensitivity to touch
How does this affect driving?
Reduced pedal sensation
You may struggle to feel the pedals, making it difficult to apply the right pressure or to know which pedal you are pressing
Impaired Braking
Reduced sensation and muscle weakness can lead to delayed or ineffective braking
Slower reaction times
Research has shown some people with DPN have three times more loss of control in driving simulations.
The scale of the issue
• In the UK, over 4.9 million people have diabetes, and a significant percentage of those people (up to 50%) could develop peripheral neuropathy
• You can have DPN even if your diabetes is undiagnosed.
• Road traffic collisions are a leading cause of death and serious injury, and driving with reduced sensation or control significantly increases those risks.
Understanding pedal confusion
If you experience reduced sensation or muscle weakness in your feet due to peripheral neuropathy, there’s an increased risk of what’s known as ‘pedal confusion’. This can involve;
Difficulty distinguishing pedals
Without proper feeling in your feet, or loss of co-ordination, you might struggle to clearly differentiate between the accelerator and the brake pedal by touch alone.
Accidental application
This lack of clear sensation can lead to accidentally pressing the wrong pedal, such as hitting the accelerator when intending to brake, or vice versa.
Unintentional pressure
It can also be harder to apply controlled and precise pressure to the intended pedal, potentially leading to sudden acceleration or insufficient braking force.
Pedal confusion, even for a brief moment, can have serious consequences, especially in unexpected situations requiring rapid responses.
Tyre safety – your essential safety net
Because peripheral neuropathy can affect your ability to brake effectively, ensuring your tyres are in top condition is crucial.
Remember to A.C.T. regularly
Air Pressure
Check your tyre pressure regularly. Correct pressure ensures optimal grip and braking performance.
Condition
Inspect your tyres for cuts, bulges, or other damage. Damaged tyres are unsafe.
Tread
Ensure your tyre tread depth meets legal requirements (at least 1.6mm). Adequate tread provides grip, especially in wet conditions.
Check at different points across and around each tyre. If the outer rim of the coin is obscured, your tread depth is above the legal limit. If the outer rim of the coin is visible, get it checked by a tyre professional.
Tread safely – tips for safe driving with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Regular foot checks
Check your feet daily for any signs of injury or changes in sensation. Visit https://idealdiabetes.com/people-with-diabetes/
Consult your doctor
Discuss any concerns about neuropathy with your healthcare provider, there may be a simple solution.
Professional tyre checks
Have your tyres checked regularly by a qualified technician.
ADAS awareness
Familiarise yourself with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) like autonomous braking.
Driving assessments
Consider a professional driving assessment to evaluate your driving ability.
Plan your journeys
Ensure you follow DVLA guidance, allow extra time for journeys, and if possible avoid times of heavy traffic.
Driving for Work – Commercial Drivers
Commercial drivers are twice as likely to develop diabetes, with an alarming 1 in 6 commercial drivers already living with the condition – a figure that rises to 1 in 3 for those aged 55 to 64. Crucially, an estimated 10,500 of these drivers remain undiagnosed.
A report (published in June 2025) “Hiding in Plain Sight: The UK Diabetes Crisis – A Call to Action to the Road Transport Sector.” by the Diabetes Safety Organisation (DSO), the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), and Driving for Better Business (DfBB), reveals a significant, under-recognised threat to road safety and workforce sustainability.
Your Legal Responsibilities as a Driver
Beyond maintaining your vehicle, it is equally important to manage your personal legal responsibilities regarding fitness to drive. Diabetes is a condition that may need to be reported to the DVLA, depending on your treatment plan or the development of complications like retinopathy or neuropathy. To ensure you are meeting all safety and legal standards, we strongly recommend checking the official list of notifiable medical conditions on the Gov.uk website. If your specific circumstances require it, you must take the proactive step of self-referring to the DVLA. Staying informed and compliant not only protects your driving record but, most importantly, ensures the safety of yourself and all other road users.
Click here for FREE downloadable resources
Or contact The Diabetes Safety Organisation
13 St Pauls Square,
Birmingham B3 1RB
diabetessafety.org
enquiries@diabetessafety.org
Tel: 0333 577 5735
Registered in England and Wales, No. 07742604