Coroner Demands Closure of Foreign Driver Licence Loophole After Fatal Crash
A coroner's report has called on the Labour government and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to urgently close a major driving licence loophole that affects thousands of foreign drivers. This follows the tragic death of a pensioner who was killed by a driver from Nigeria who had failed UK driving tests but was still legally permitted to drive.
Fatal Incident Sparks Urgent Review
Lorraine Harris, the coroner for Hull and East Yorkshire, issued the report after the death of 70-year-old Susan Whittles near Bridlington in November 2023. The victim was killed by a Nigerian national from Romford, who was sentenced to six years in prison last month at Hull Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving.
The driver had arrived in the UK in September 2022 with a valid Nigerian driving licence. Under current regulations, individuals from countries not recognised as having equivalent driving standards to the UK are allowed to drive on their foreign licence for up to twelve months. During this period, they must pass a UK driving test to continue driving legally.
Loophole Allows Continued Driving Despite Test Failures
The driver obtained a provisional UK licence in June 2023, requiring him to pass a practical test by mid-September. However, he failed the test twice, in July and September. Despite these failures, he remained legally entitled to drive unsupervised under his Nigerian licence throughout the twelve-month grace period.
This rule applies to nationals from several countries, including China, India, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the United States. By the time of the fatal crash in November 2023, the grace period had expired, meaning the driver was technically only permitted to drive on a provisional licence, which requires supervision.
Coroner Highlights Critical Safety Concerns
In her report, Ms Harris stated, "If a national of a non-designated country fails any number of driving tests within the 12 months, they can still rely on their foreign licence to drive in the UK, despite not meeting DVSA safety standards." She emphasised that this loophole poses significant risks to public safety.
The report gives the Department for Transport and the DVSA 56 days to respond with proposed changes. In response, a DfT spokesperson said, "Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with Susan's family. We will carefully review the coroner's findings to determine if any changes are needed."
This case has ignited calls for immediate reform to prevent similar incidents, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement and updated regulations to ensure all drivers on UK roads meet consistent safety standards.
