Many drivers are not qualified at all. They paid someone to take their test for them

 

Latest statistics suggest that hundreds of driving tests are being taken each year by people impersonating learner drivers. The scam, which MPs warn is putting incompetent motorists on the road, is the subject of hundreds of investigations by government agencies.

Thousands of driving licences may have been issued to people who did not take a test themselves, but paid someone to assume their identity and take it for them. There are more than 500 investigations now being conducted into driving test impersonations, the

 

Government has admitted.

At least 290 people have been arrested in the past four years for impersonating learner drivers and more than 700 offences have been detected. Transport investigators have uncovered rackets where one person has taken dozens of tests in return for cash.

 

A Somali bus driver was convicted of taking theory tests for 200 of his countrymen who he claimed did not have enough English to read the questions.

 

The transport minister, Dr Stephen Ladyman, has disclosed that since 2004, 70 people have been convicted for driving test impersonations, while 79 others have received cautions.

 

Chris Grayling, the Conservative transport spokesman, said that the scam would lead to more deaths on Britain's roads.

"This is extremely worrying. We have a huge problem already of rogue drivers on the roads, with millions driving without tax or insurance. Now we are discovering that millions of people are getting on to our roads having faked their tests," he said. "We have 3,500 people being killed on our roads every year."

 

might upset someone here :lol: nut I bet it's not long until they bring in biometrics for driving tests now

Don't they ask people for proof of ID...?

 

Call me stupid, but all it surely would take is for someone to take a photocopy of someone's passport to check if they are in fact the correct person.....

All they asked for from me was my provisional driving licence - back in the days before photo ones. Could have easily got someone to take the test for me.

Surely this story is out of date now? As you must have a picture leicence too take to the practical test, and you also have the theory test certificate you have to bring as well?

Edited May 21, 200718 yr by Joey Deacon

I dont see how this could be true

I took my test a few weeks ago and passed by the way hehe

the examiner takes your provisional License from you, on which there is a picture of yourself.

and, if you dont have a car, you go with your driving teacher, whom will know if the person taking the test is the right person.

A Somali bus driver was convicted of taking theory tests for 200 of his countrymen who he claimed did not have enough English to read the questions.

 

sorry to sound brash and BNPish here but if they dont know enough english to be able to read some questions then they should go back to their own country