Cheating on driving tests has skyrocketed by 47% in Great Britain over the past year, sparking concerns about road safety. Figures show a record 2,844 cases of cheating were recorded between September 2024 and September 2025, up from just 1,274 in 2018-19.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) attributes the surge to a combination of more cheating attempts and improved detection methods, including technology-assisted cheating during theory tests. The most common forms of cheating involve impersonating registered candidates, with 1,084 cases recorded during theory tests and 647 during practical exams.
This alarming rise in cheating raises questions about the effectiveness of the current testing system. Learners are facing lengthy waiting times for test slots, which is putting pressure on them to pass, but it's no excuse for taking shortcuts. "The longer people have to wait to get a test slot, the greater the pressure to pass, but that's no excuse for cheating," said Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation.
Cheating attempts often involve impersonators who can be paid up to £2,000 to pass a test. However, those caught will face severe penalties, including prison sentences and bans from driving. Ninety-six people were prosecuted for attempting to cheat or impersonate candidates in 2024-25.
The DVSA has strengthened its fraud detection capabilities, but experts warn that some individuals may still evade detection. "It is even more worrying that while the numbers of those caught have risen a concerning amount, it is likely some people will have cheated successfully and be on our roads," said Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School.
As road safety becomes increasingly critical, authorities must take decisive action to prevent cheating and ensure that all drivers demonstrate they have the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitude to drive safely.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) attributes the surge to a combination of more cheating attempts and improved detection methods, including technology-assisted cheating during theory tests. The most common forms of cheating involve impersonating registered candidates, with 1,084 cases recorded during theory tests and 647 during practical exams.
This alarming rise in cheating raises questions about the effectiveness of the current testing system. Learners are facing lengthy waiting times for test slots, which is putting pressure on them to pass, but it's no excuse for taking shortcuts. "The longer people have to wait to get a test slot, the greater the pressure to pass, but that's no excuse for cheating," said Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation.
Cheating attempts often involve impersonators who can be paid up to £2,000 to pass a test. However, those caught will face severe penalties, including prison sentences and bans from driving. Ninety-six people were prosecuted for attempting to cheat or impersonate candidates in 2024-25.
The DVSA has strengthened its fraud detection capabilities, but experts warn that some individuals may still evade detection. "It is even more worrying that while the numbers of those caught have risen a concerning amount, it is likely some people will have cheated successfully and be on our roads," said Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School.
As road safety becomes increasingly critical, authorities must take decisive action to prevent cheating and ensure that all drivers demonstrate they have the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitude to drive safely.
I think it's wild how some people are so desperate to pass their driving test that they'd cheat on it 
. Like, I remember watching an episode of Jeremy Clarkson's car reviews back in 2018 where he said you could get away with pretty much anything during a practical test if you had enough money 
. But £2,000 is just crazy! 
. Like, I've been stuck on hold for ages trying to book a test slot... but cheating? That's just not worth the risk of getting caught and losing your license 
.
. And maybe they could offer more driving tests during different times of the day or something 
The rise in driving test cheating is a major concern for road safety... it's not just about numbers, but also about people's lives on the roads. I mean, think about it, if someone gets caught, they could face serious penalties and even prison time, but that doesn't stop some from trying to cheat their way through. The problem isn't just with cheating, it's also with the waiting times for test slots - it puts a lot of pressure on learners to pass quickly, which can lead to mistakes. We need to rethink our testing system and make sure everyone has an equal chance of passing safely. It's not just about stopping cheaters, but also about supporting learners who are struggling. 
. I mean, 47% increase in just one year? That's crazy! 
It shows how desperate people are to get their licenses ASAP, but it's not worth taking such huge risks 
. I think the authorities need to step up their game and make cheating much harder to do 
. It's all about road safety, after all! 
. I mean, £2,000 is a pretty steep price to pay just to pass a test, but apparently some people think it's worth it. And good luck trying to evade detection with all those fancy technology-assisted cheating methods 
. The only ones getting in trouble are the cheaters themselves, not the learners who have to deal with long waiting times. I'm like, what's the point of even taking a test if it's just going to be a bunch of hoops for the cheaters to jump through? 
, I'm like totally not surprised about this cheating thingy happening in driving tests in Great Britain! I mean, people will do whatever it takes to pass, right? 
. I mean, what if someone gets caught and it's not just a slap on the wrist? They could end up in prison or something! 
Not to mention the risk of accidents on the road because they're not actually qualified drivers.
. Maybe they can increase funding for driving schools or something? That way, people won't feel like they have to resort to impersonating others or paying someone off 
.
, it's not just about passing a test, it's about lives on the road! these people who are caught trying to scam their way through driving tests should face serious consequences, like they would for actual crimes 
. and £2k is nothing, what's the point of even having laws if you're just gonna let cheaters get away with it? 
. and those who can afford to cheat should be able to do so, but those who can't shouldn't be penalized for wanting a fair shot 
.
how many more lives are gonna be lost cuz some cheater decides to take a shortcut? 
. noone should have to pay £2000 to pass a test, that's just crazy money 
. its time for change 
It's not just about the numbers, it's about road safety 
and innocent lives being put at risk 
. The fact that some cheaters can get paid up to £2k is just mental 
. Authorities need to step up their game and make cheating much harder to do 
. We can't let these cheaters ruin it for everyone else 
.
.
, 47% increase in cheating on driving tests is a major red flag! It's not just about the numbers, it's about people's lives being put at risk on our roads 
. I mean, who needs technology-assisted cheating anyway? Can't we just focus on making the testing system more accessible and fair for everyone? And what's with these fake test takers getting paid up to £2k to pass? It's just not right 
still worried about those who get away with it tho 
. It's like, you can't outsmart technology forever, right? 