Caught: Learners Hiring Lookalikes to Take Test

Hundreds of learner drivers have been caught hiring lookalikes to take their theory and practical tests for them.

In a crackdown by the DVSA, almost 700 learners have been reported trying to pass off a hired lookalike as themselves. Criminal gangs are charging the cheating learners £800 for an impersonator to sit their theory test and up to £1,800 for their practical test. It’s a practise that the DVSA is obviously taking very seriously:

Driving test fraud is a serious offence and is dealt with accordingly. We have stringent measures in place to detect fraudulent activity and work closely with the police to bring all offenders to justice.”

– Alastair Peoples, DVSA.

So far in 2014-2015, 188 arrests have been made with 55 convictions for fraud offences and 37 people sent jail, plus 97 licences revoked. While the number of fraudulent learners caught has climbed by more than a fifth in the past 12 months, the DVSA believes that the increase is down to better detection and enforcement by the agency rather increased criminal activity.

Whatever the case, the ramifications for road safety are serious – learners are heading out in cars without proper training or qualifications:

The process of learning to drive and taking the test can seem a lot to take on, but it is nothing compared to someone faking a test pass and then attempting to teach themselves once they have passed their test. The test is there for a reason.'

– Mark Peacock, BSM driving school, talking to BBC News.