Pensioner Killed by Nigerian Driver Who had Failed Test Twice

A coroner has raised concern after a Nigerian national caused a fatal crash in East Yorkshire while being allowed to drive on roads in the county despite failing his British driving test twice.

Timothy Kusemi had been driving using a provisional UK licence when he caused the death of Susan Whittles, 70, near the village of Rudston on November 24, 2023, a coroner’s report following the two-vehicle crash said.

Government guidance states people from countries where driving standards are not equivalent to those of the UK, such as Nigeria, can apply for a provisional licence after becoming a British resident. They must then take a British driving test within 12 months of being within the country.

Sue Whittles, 70, who died in the crash in November 2023 (Image: Humberside Police)

Kusemi failed his British driving test a further four times after Ms Whittles died in the crash at the B1253 crossroad junction of Thwing Road and Burton Road.

He did not pass his British driving test until March 21, 2025 – two years and six months after entering the country and becoming a resident, according to the report.

Coroner Lorraine Harris said it was “noted that he [Kusemi] continued to drive beyond the 12-month limit on his national licence despite those failures”.

Kusemi, then 41 and of Lower Bedford Road in London, pleaded guilty to causing Ms Whittles’ death and to serious injury by dangerous driving on February 23. He was later jailed for six years and handed an 11-year driving ban.

Ms Harris wrote to the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) following Ms Whittles’ death.

The coroner raised concern in the report over people becoming residents of the UK and being able to drive for a year on a provisional licence despite failing a British driving test.

Ms Harris, in her report, said “nationals of non-designated countries who fail a GB driving test are not treated in the same way as a GB resident who fails a GB driving test”.

“A GB resident is not allowed to drive without appropriate supervision and when they are driving they must display L plates to act as a warning to other vehicles of their inexperience,” Ms Harris said.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said it will “carefully review the coroner’s findings from this tragic case to determine whether changes may be required”.

Coroner raises concern over potential risk of ‘serious injury’ to other road users

The coroner said nationals of countries who must take a British driving test after becoming residents can fail “any number” of British driving tests within their first year in the country and still drive on a provisional licence.

It means the nationals can continue to drive in Britain “despite not meeting the safety standards set by the DVSA”, Ms Harris said.

The coroner said the nationals being able to drive in the UK for a year, despite failing a British test, has “the potential to cause a risk of serious injury or harm to other road users”.

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There also “appears no provision for an examiner to withdraw the ability to drive without appropriate supervision despite a person’s failure to meet the required standards”, Ms Harris said.

The Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with Susan’s family and loved ones.

“We will carefully review the coroner’s findings from this tragic case to determine whether changes may be required.”

The Department for Transport and DVSA must respond to the coroner by May 26.

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