Coroner calls for foreign drivers' test rule change

There is a risk of future road deaths if the government continues to allow foreign motorists who fail UK driving tests to remain behind the wheel, according to a coroner.

Lorraine Harris, coroner for Hull and East Yorkshire, said people from some countries who failed tests could still drive under their foreign licences for a year.

She has raised the issue following the death of Susan Whittles in Rudston, near Bridlington, East Yorkshire, in 2023.

Timothy Kusemi, who had twice failed a practical test, pleaded guilty in February to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while unlicensed. He was jailed for six years.

At Hull Crown Court, Nigerian national Kusemi was also banned from driving for 11 years after he failed to stop at a crossroads and hit the car driven by the 70-year-old, who had right of way. The pensioner died at the scene and her husband was left seriously injured.

Kusemi failed four further tests following the crash before finally getting his UK licence in March 2025.

Nationals from China, India, Israel, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan and the USA are among those who can drive for 12 months if they hold licences from their home countries – even if they fail UK driving tests during that period.

In Kusemi's case, the 12-month period for relying on his Nigerian licence had already expired by the time of the fatal crash, but the coroner called for the law on the grace period to be brought into line with UK drivers.

In a prevention of future deaths report, Harris said: "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 said.

Calling for the transport secretary and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to take urgent action, Harris said there was no mechanism for examiners to prevent such drivers continuing to drive unsupervised, even after repeated test failures.

She said the current system allowed drivers "who do not meet required standards... the potential to cause a risk of serious injury or harm to other road users".

The Department for Transport said: "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."

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