Learner drivers cheat their way to a test pass

F IVE learner drivers a day on average try to cheat their way to a test pass by sending someone to take it for them.

For those driving test candidates that feel apprehensive about a looming test, I suspect the idea of desperate measures enters our minds.

Latest figures show that 455 practical tests and 1,469 theory tests in 2011/12 involved a suspected impersonator.

Police arrested 273 scammers in that time, leading to 73 convictions, 119 police cautions and 837 licences being revoked.

The figures, released by the Driving Standards Agency following a freedom of Information request also revealed how some desperate drivers even try to buy or threaten their way to a pass.

Five learners tried to offer a cash bribe to an examiner in return for a pass last year, while 12 were reported for a physical attack and 175 for verbal abuse on a DSA examiner.

In our November 2012 blog, we wrote about, how bad have things become when so called professionals need to resort to illegal actions to help people to drive on our roads. 

Learning to drive on today's busy roads is stressful enough without having to worry if your instructor is duping you into paying him more of your hard earned cash. 

It would appear there are con men and women in every profession which unfortunately includes driving instructors and examiners.

A Driving Standards Agency spokesman said: "At the end of the 2011/12 financial year, there were 189 individuals in the criminal justice system and 891 suspect tests being investigated."

If you have any reason suspect suspicious instructors or examiners, contact DSA Fraud department @ integrity.team@dsa.gsi.gov.uk .  All information you provide to the DSA will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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