a method for assessing risk associated with a driver of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of risk variables associated with a driver , the plurality of risk variables being gathered when the driver operates the vehicle . a driver is then identified based on the plurality of risk variables , and a risk profile is developed for the driver . the development of the risk profile involves determining the risk associated with at least some of the risk variables and generating a risk index , the risk index being a collective measure of risk associated with the driver .