Firms should 'fully assess' drivers from abroad

Norwich Union said it was "imperative" that a comprehensive set of checks were carried out on overseas drivers, including their competence behind the wheel and medical health.

Bill Pownall, motor risk manager for Norwich Union said: “Currently, licenced drivers from abroad do not need to undergo any immediate, additional testing to drive legally on UK roads.

"It is imperative therefore, that employers complete thorough vetting and induction on any new driver to ensure that they are properly licenced, competent, suitably trained on any equipment they may use and medically fit to undertake the driving tasks they are being recruited to complete.

"These measures could help in reducing the risk of incidents and crashes occurring through lack of basic skills and understanding of critical safety factors."

Bill went on to say that standard procedures should apply when vetting any driver, such as checking the validity of the driving licence, reviewing endorsements, checking the claims history and following up references with previous employers.

Risk assessments

"For overseas drivers it is particularly important to undertake a complete in-vehicle practical driving risk assessment in order to determine the person's competence to drive the vehicle and demonstrate their awareness of UK traffic law," he added.

"Risk assessments will help fleet managers, and the individual concerned, to determine the level of competency and knowledge in all aspects related to the driver’s duties including driving safely and safe operation of any associated plant and machinery.

"As a result, high risk drivers can be identified at the outset and any areas in need of improvement rectified through appropriate training."

In terms of medical fitness to drive, Bill Pownall said that although drivers may feel their physical state is generally good, health checks should still be carried out - paying particular attention to eyesight tests to ensure drivers met the minimum UK requirement.

Brits overseas

Meanwhile, Norwich Union has also revealed that drivers from the UK often lack confidence when driving overseas.

Many were often "flummoxed" by different rules in other countries, with more than a third (35%) having driven on the wrong side of the road when abroad, a survey by the insurer had shown.

Almost half, 42% usually looked the wrong way at junctions and 24% had "inadvertently" broken foreign speed limits. Based on responses from 1,000 adults, the survey also showed that 48% of British motorists felt "nervous" driving abroad, while 49% worried about having an accident and 34% got anxious about breaking down. One in twenty (5%) even thought that rules and regulations abroad would be the same as in the UK.

Norwich Union spokesman Erik Nelson said: "We strongly advise drivers planning a trip abroad to do their homework on road rules and regulations before they leave the country.

"Assuming you will pick things up when you get behind the wheel is extremely dangerous and could mean that you are breaking the law."