Driving Test Cheating Soars Nearly 50% in UK

New figures reveal that cheating during practical and theory driving tests rose sharply in 2025 in England, Scotland and Wales.

Data from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows 2,844 attempts to cheat in the year to September 2025, a 47% increase on the previous year.

The methods varied, with more than 1,100 cases involving Bluetooth earpieces connected to concealed phones, while others attempted to impersonate registered candidates.

Overall, nearly 100 offenders were prosecuted for trying to cheat themselves or for posing as others.

Of the incidents, 1,113 involved using technology to cheat during theory tests. Impersonation was also widespread, with 1,084 attempts to take theory tests on behalf of someone else and 647 incidents during practical tests.

Dr Rasha Kassem, leader of the Fraud Research Group at Aston University, warned:

“It means that there will be more accidents, collisions, insurance issues as well, damage to the car, and damage to human beings, injuries, and in some cases, death.

“There has to be public awareness, because this is a serious crime, from my perspective, and also in the eyes of the law. It is fraud.”

Impersonators and those who employ them face punishments ranging from driving bans to prison sentences. They can also be ordered to complete unpaid work or pay court costs.

Ninety-six people were prosecuted for attempting to cheat on driving tests or impersonate candidates in the 12 months to September 2025.

Steps to prevent fraud include matching a practical test candidate’s face with their photo ID and asking theory candidates to roll up their sleeves and show their pockets are empty.

One case included 23-year-old Qounain Khan, who received an eight-month prison sentence in June 2025 after admitting to impersonating learners at theory test centres 12 times. The court heard impersonators could be paid up to £2,000 to pass a test.

Industry leaders linked the rise in cheating to long waits for practical test slots.

Carly Brookfield, chief executive of the Driving Instructors Association, said:

“It almost seems inevitable in an era of lots of demand, but very little consistent supply, that you are going to get people engaging in risky behaviours, like using a cheat service to try and pass.

“People who don’t want to risk going on the torturous merry-go-round and trying to get another slot… might take the risk, unfortunately, of cheating.”

Dr Kassem also suggested long waiting times may be a factor, with some people turning to fraud to secure a licence quickly for work purposes.

In December, the National Audit Office warned that the driving test backlog would not be cleared until November 2027, citing poor recruitment and retention of examiners and third-party websites booking slots using automated bots.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced plans to reduce the backlog, including employing military driving examiners and introducing a system for learners to book and manage their practical tests from the coming Spring.

Marian Kitson, DVSA director of enforcement services, said the agency remained committed to tackling test fraud.

She said: “It is essential that all drivers demonstrate they have the right skills, knowledge, and attitude to drive safely.

“People who attempt cheat driving tests put all road users at risk by trying to obtain a driving licence fraudulently.

“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.”