More than 30,000 overseas drivers exchanged their licences for GB equivalents in 2025 alone, according to new parliamentary data, prompting road safety charity IAM RoadSmart to urge employers to strengthen driver onboarding rather than rely on basic licence checks.
The data shows more than 6,800 licence holders from Romania, over 7,000 from Zimbabwe, 6,000 from Hong Kong, 5,600 from Italy and more than 5,100 from Australia exchanged their licences for GB ones last year. While these drivers may be fully qualified and experienced in their countries of origin, IAM RoadSmart said adapting to Britain’s roads can present unfamiliar challenges, particularly for those driving as part of their job.
Adjusting to UK roads
Differences in road layouts, signage, speed limits, driving on the left-hand side, smart motorways and local driving conventions can all require an adjustment period for overseas drivers, the charity says. The Department for Transport’s STATS19 collision reporting framework has historically included “inexperience of driving on the left” as a contributory factor. Figures published by the Scottish Government recorded 24 collisions resulting in injury in 2022 and 34 in 2023 in which this factor was identified, underlining the importance of drivers becoming familiar with the UK’s driving environment.
For businesses operating vehicle fleets, or employing staff who drive for work, the data raises the question of whether existing onboarding processes are sufficient to ensure overseas drivers are properly prepared for UK roads.
According to Nicholas Lyes, policy and external communications director at IAM RoadSmart, licence checks alone do not tell the whole story. “Employers rightly carry out licence checks to ensure someone is legally entitled to drive, but that doesn’t necessarily tell you whether they’re familiar with the unique characteristics of driving in the UK,” he said.
“Many overseas drivers bring valuable experience from their home countries, but every country has its own road layouts, regulations and driving culture,” Lyes added. “Even language barriers may hinder progress – particularly where UK signage is unfamiliar. Taking time to help drivers with the UK driving environment can help build confidence, reduce the likelihood of avoidable mistakes and support safer journeys for everyone.”
Wider driver risk management
IAM RoadSmart said supporting overseas drivers should form part of a wider driver risk management strategy. Alongside licence and compliance checks, it recommended that organisations review their onboarding processes to ensure drivers understand UK road signs, national and local traffic laws, vehicle technology and company driving policies before getting behind the wheel.
Doing so, the charity said, can help businesses meet their duty of care responsibilities, improve driver confidence and reduce the risk of incidents involving employees who drive for work. IAM RoadSmart offers a UK familiarisation course designed to help overseas licence holders build confidence and understanding of driving safely on Britain’s roads.
