Overseas drivers face law clampdown

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Offending non-UK drivers and hauliers could face fines and have their vehicles immobilised under proposals put out for consultation by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

A new system will give police and examiners from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) the power to collect on-the-spot penalties from anyone without a satisfactory UK address from next year.

They will also be able to issue penalty points against a non-UK driver's record for licence-endorsable offences.

For the first time VOSA examiners will also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to hauliers for a range of offences such as breaking driving hours, weight or vehicle safety regulations.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "These tough new measures mean non-UK drivers who break our laws will find themselves in a similar position to UK drivers who are either issued with a fixed penalty or prosecuted in court.

"From next year all drivers without a satisfactory UK address who commit offences will have to pay a financial penalty deposit equal to the amount of the fixed penalty - or up to £300 as a surety in respect of a potential court fine."

He went on: "Our message is clear - those who break the rules of the road will not get away with it, irrespective of whether or not they live in the UK.

"The only way to avoid a penalty will be to ensure that vehicles are fully roadworthy, drivers comply with UK road traffic law and commercial vehicle drivers do not break drivers' hours rules or run with an overloaded vehicle."