Experts call for changes to prevent overseas driver danger on Aussie roads

There are calls for tighter regulation on overseas drivers in Australia, with some even pushing for special "tourist" plates to display on a vehicle.

Australian laws currently allow motorists from 43 countries to use their international licence without having to pass a theory or practical driving test.

Port Douglas driving instructor Stephen Lee said most overseas drivers remained unfamiliar with the road rules.

"There's no requirement for them to pass any written test or have any practical knowledge of our road system," he told A Current Affair.

Mr Lee is calling for safety driving videos to be played on inbound flights and is pushing the radical idea of having tourists display "T" plates on their vehicles.

"The idea with the T plate is pretty much what we do with P plates; to give some fort of recognition to the other drivers that the person behind the wheel is not familiar with our road conditions," he said.

Overseas drivers from outside those 43 countries are required to complete a theory and practical test.

However, there is no English language requirement, as the theory test is available in a range of languages and interpreter help is available.

People who have lost loved ones in vehicle accidents involving overseas drivers are calling for the introduction of mandatory testing.

"We need to educate people that driving in Australia is not like driving in your own country," Mr Lee said.

However, NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said a 2004 report into crashed involving foreigners in Queensland did not support introducing tests.

"It suggests that with less than one percent of tourists being involved in fatal crashes, that while we should always be doing more to keep them and everyone else safe, there are other areas which we obviously need to focus on," he said.