Sharp Rise in Driving Test Fraud Sparks Safety Alarms
Attempts to cheat on driving tests across Britain have escalated dramatically, with recorded cases jumping by a staggering 47 per cent in a single year. New figures obtained by the Press Association reveal that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) documented 2,844 incidents in the year to September 2025, up sharply from 1,940 in the previous twelve months. This troubling trend has ignited serious concerns among motoring organisations about the potential dangers posed by unqualified drivers on UK roads.
Technology and Impersonation Fuel Fraud Surge
The DVSA investigation pinpointed technology-assisted cheating during theory tests as the most prevalent method, accounting for 1,113 cases in 2024/25. This typically involves candidates using discreet earpieces connected via Bluetooth to concealed mobile phones, allowing them to receive illicit assistance. Meanwhile, impersonation remains a significant issue, with 1,084 instances recorded for theory tests and 647 for practical assessments where individuals attempted to pose as the registered candidate.
Marian Kitson, DVSA’s director of enforcement services, emphasised that the agency has bolstered its fraud detection capabilities in response. "Our counter-fraud team carries out robust investigations into suspected fraud, working with the police to bring fraudsters to justice and keep Britain’s roads safe," she stated. Enhanced measures at test centres now include candidates being asked to roll up sleeves, empty pockets, and submit to pat-downs and metal detector scans.
Prosecutions and Penalties Intensify
In the 2024/25 period, ninety-six individuals faced prosecution for driving test fraud, with courts imposing severe penalties including prison sentences, driving bans, unpaid work orders, and substantial court costs. Notable cases include Qounain Khan, 23, from Birmingham, who received an eight-month prison term for impersonating learners twelve times at theory test centres. The court heard that impersonators could earn up to £2,000 per successful test pass.
Other prosecutions involved Sorina-Ana Turcitu, 42, from north London, who admitted attempting a practical test for another person and received a suspended sentence, and Ali Rasul, 22, from Exeter, jailed for two years after repeatedly cheating the theory test over eight months using hidden earpieces and an impersonator.
Backlog and Pressure: No Direct Link, Says DVSA
The surge in cheating coincides with extensive backlogs for practical driving tests, with learners facing average waiting times of 22 weeks in September 2025 compared to just five weeks in February 2020. However, the DVSA insists there is no evidence directly linking increased fraud to these prolonged delays. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, acknowledged the pressure but condemned cheating: "The longer people have to wait to get a test slot, the greater the pressure to pass, but that’s no excuse for cheating."
Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School, described the rise as "staggering" and warned that successful cheats likely remain undetected on roads, compounding safety risks. The DVSA also utilises intelligence to identify vehicles and individuals previously involved in fraud attempts, aiming to pre-empt further incidents.
Historical Data Highlights Escalating Trend
The recorded incidents of driving test cheating over recent years illustrate a clear upward trajectory:
- 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 underscores the persistent challenge facing authorities. As Gooding summarised, "This data demonstrates the need for DVSA to be vigilant in spotting the cheats and for the penalties to be severe." With road safety at stake, the crackdown on driving test fraud remains a critical priority for enforcement agencies across the United Kingdom.
