text: Businesses are at risk of breaching their duty of care obligations because of a rise in the number of drivers who obtained driving licences outside Britain exchanging them for a UK licence, according to licence checking firm Licence Bureau.
  It says that more than 150,000 foreign drivers exchanged licences last year – representing a 79% increase compared with a decade ago.
  Licence Bureau says addressing the issue should be a high priority for UK firms.
  Managing director Malcolm Maycock said: “Businesses need to proactively ensure drivers working in their company not only hold the correct and valid licence, but are provided with the necessary education and insight to confidently use the UK’s roads.”
  Licence Bureau continues that, while the Department for Transport says it only permits exchanges for licences from countries with driving tests comparable to the UK’s, it feels businesses need to go further to meet their duty of care obligations.
  Maycock said: “Production of a driving licence, in most cases, provides a form of evidence based on home nation driving competence, but our business advice is to take a proactive stance and provide a structured integration policy in readiness for workers to use the UK’s roads.
  “It’s very much a case of supporting best practice and ensuring duty of care obligations are satisfied – protecting not only your business and its people but other road users too.”