Driving Test Cheating Surges 47% in a Year, DVSA Reports
Recorded attempts to cheat on driving tests across Britain have increased by a staggering 47% in just one year, according to an investigation based on official figures. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed that 2,844 cases were documented in the year ending September 2025, up from 1,940 during the previous twelve-month period. This sharp rise has sparked significant concerns about road safety and the integrity of the licensing system.
Technology and Impersonation Drive the Increase
The DVSA attributes the substantial increase in recorded cheating incidents to a combination of more widespread fraudulent activity and enhanced detection capabilities. Technology-assisted cheating during theory tests, such as using Bluetooth earpieces connected to concealed mobile phones, constituted the largest proportion of incidents in 2024/25, with 1,113 cases. Additionally, impersonation attempts were prevalent, with 1,084 cases recorded for theory tests and 647 for practical tests where individuals tried to take the exam on behalf of the registered candidate.
Backlog and Pressure on Learners
This surge in cheating occurs against the backdrop of a substantial backlog for practical driving tests. Learners faced an average waiting time of 22 weeks in September, a dramatic increase from approximately five weeks in February 2020, prior to the coronavirus pandemic when testing was largely suspended. While the DVSA stated it has no direct evidence linking cheating to these extended waiting times, motoring experts suggest the pressure to pass may be a contributing factor.
Robust Enforcement and Prosecutions
The DVSA has implemented stringent measures to combat fraud, including requiring learners to show their faces to match photographic ID at test centres. For theory tests, procedures can involve candidates rolling up sleeves, emptying pockets, and undergoing pat-downs with handheld metal detectors. The agency also utilises intelligence to identify vehicles and individuals involved in previous cheating attempts. In 2024/25, ninety-six people were prosecuted for attempting to cheat driving tests or impersonate candidates, with penalties including imprisonment, driving bans, unpaid work orders, and court costs.
Notable Court Cases Highlight Serious Consequences
Several high-profile prosecutions underscore the severe penalties for driving test fraud. Qounain Khan, 23, of Birmingham, received an eight-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to impersonating learners at theory test centres twelve times. The court heard impersonators could be paid up to £2,000 for passing a test. Sorina-Ana Turcitu, 42, of north London, admitted attempting to take a practical driving test for someone else and was given a 12-week suspended sentence. Ali Rasul, 22, of Exeter, was handed a two-year prison sentence for repeatedly attempting to cheat the theory test using hidden earpieces or an impersonator over eight months.
Expert Reactions and Calls for Vigilance
Marian Kitson, DVSA’s director of enforcement services, emphasised that the agency has enhanced its fraud detection capabilities, stating it is essential all drivers demonstrate the right skills, knowledge, and attitude to drive safely. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, warned that while longer waiting times may increase pressure to pass, this is no excuse for cheating, and those involved in impersonation and deception are putting other road users at risk. Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School, described the increase as "staggering" and expressed concern that some cheats may have succeeded undetected, now being on the roads.
Historical Data on Recorded Incidents
The following figures show the number of recorded incidents of driving test cheating in the twelve months to the end of September each year since 2019:
- 2024/25: 2,844
- 2023/24: 1,940
- 2022/23: 2,344
- 2021/22: 1,960
- 2020/21: 820
- 2019/20: 876
- 2018/19: 1,274
This data highlights a volatile trend, with a notable peak in 2024/25, underscoring the ongoing challenges in maintaining test integrity and road safety.
