GROWING numbers of drivers using Britain’s roads under foreign licences are causing concern for fleet managers.

Companies are uncertain about how to effectively monitor the licences of new international employees, especially those from Eastern Europe.

In addition, there are concerns that an influx of vehicles from abroad has led to an increase in uninsured and unroadworthy vehicles, creating increased dangers for fleet drivers.

Members at the East Anglian meeting of ACFO, the fleet operators’ association, heard that with a number of new countries joining the EU, it was easier to bring in foreign-registered vehicles.

One fleet manager asked the meeting: ‘How do you check on the licence of a Polish driver or from another Eastern European country?’

The issue does not just stop at cars and vans, as fleets said they were concerned about the growing number of left-hand drive lorries on UK roads, as they found it harder to spot overtaking vehicles.

One fleet operator said: ‘There are a lot more accidents being reported involving lorry crashes caused by blind spots.’