Coroner Warns of Risks from Current Foreign Driver Licensing Rules
A coroner has expressed concern over the risk of future road fatalities if the government continues to permit foreign drivers who fail UK driving tests to keep driving under their foreign licences. Lorraine Harris, coroner for Hull and East Yorkshire, highlighted that individuals from certain countries who fail UK driving tests are still allowed to drive on their foreign licences for up to a year.
Harris raised this issue following the death of Susan Whittles in Rudston, near Bridlington, East Yorkshire, in 2023.
Details of the Fatal Incident and Legal Proceedings
Timothy Kusemi, who had failed his practical driving test twice, pleaded guilty in February to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing death while unlicensed. He received a six-year prison sentence.
At Hull Crown Court, the Nigerian national was also disqualified from driving for 11 years after failing to stop at a crossroads and colliding with the vehicle driven by 70-year-old Susan Whittles, who had the right of way. Ms. Whittles died at the scene, and her husband sustained serious injuries.
Kusemi failed four additional driving tests following the crash before finally obtaining his UK driving licence in March 2025.
Current Licensing Rules for Foreign Drivers
Nationals from countries including China, India, Israel, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the USA are permitted to drive in the UK for 12 months using their home country licences, even if they fail UK driving tests during this period.
In Kusemi's case, the 12-month period allowing him to drive on his Nigerian licence had expired before the fatal collision. However, the coroner called for the grace period law to be aligned with the regulations applied to UK drivers.
Coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths Report
In her report aimed at preventing future deaths, Lorraine Harris stated:
"If a national of a non-designated country fails any number of driving tests within the 12-month period, they are still able to revert and rely on their 12-month limit to drive on their foreign/international licence in the UK, despite not meeting the safety standards set by the DVSA."
Harris urged the transport secretary and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to take urgent measures, noting that there is currently no mechanism for examiners to prevent such drivers from continuing to drive unsupervised, even after multiple test failures.
She added that the existing system allows drivers who do not meet the required standards to pose a potential risk of serious injury or harm to other road users.
Government Response
The Department for Transport responded to the coroner's report, stating:
"Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with Susan's family and loved ones.
We will carefully review the coroner's findings from this tragic case to determine whether changes may be required."
Additional Information
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