DRIVING TEST CHEATS

The motorists caught taking the DVSA for a ride

HUNDREDS of learnerdrivers are reported to driving standards each year for using-stand ins to take their test for them.

Exclusive data released under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that 470 reports of fraud by impersonation were made to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in the financial year 2017-18.

Those cases covered cheating in both theory and practical driving tests.

A further 349 reports of technology assisted fraud were received by the DVSA, covering people cheating on their theory test.

The figures, while high, show an 11% decrease in the number of fraud reports compared to 2016-17.

In that year there were 917 total reports – 528 of them for impersonation.

Only a small proportion of the reports typically led to an arrest, with some 244 made in 2017-18.

There were 66 convictions over the same period, meaning that more than a quarter (27%) of those arrested were convicted, up from 16% the year before.

However, some 138 people received a caution, down 49% from 2016-17.

Over the last six years more than 1,100 licences have been revoked due to evidence that the licence was obtained fraudulently, which includes impersonation.

Andy Rice, Head of Counter-fraud and Investigations for the DVSA, said: “DVSA’S priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

“Driving test fraud is a serious offence and puts innocent road users at risk.

“The driving test is there to make sure all drivers have the skills and knowledge to use the roads safely and responsibly.

“We have stringent measures in place to detect fraud and bring all offenders to justice.”

Simon Williams, spokesperson for the RAC said: “Every motorist who has studied and practised hard to pass the theory and practical driving tests will be both shocked and concerned that some people are abusing the system by getting others to impersonate them so they can become a fully qualified driver.

“This is very worrying because the driving test system is designed to make sure everyone has met a minimum standard so they are safe to drive on the road unsupervised. Anyone who flouts this process is putting lives at risk

“We urge anyone who becomes aware of this kind of fraud to report it to the police.”