Driving test cheating soars: Bluetooth earpieces and impersonators
Introduction — why this matters
Driving test cheating soars, posing risks to road safety and public trust in the licensing system. New figures from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show attempts to cheat driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales rose 47% in a single year. That surge, involving technology such as hidden Bluetooth earpieces and organised impersonation, has prompted prosecutions and prison sentences. The scale of the problem has prompted calls for tougher enforcement and closer cooperation between authorities, instructors and candidates.
Main body — the facts and cases
Rise in incidents and methods used
The DVSA reports that recorded attempts to cheat rose sharply in the 12 months to the end of September, with 113 cases explicitly involving technology — for example Bluetooth earpieces linked to hidden phones used during theory tests. The tactics range from concealed earpieces and hidden communications devices to full impersonation, where a different person sits the test on behalf of the candidate.
Prosecutions and sentences
Prosecutors have moved to deter would-be cheaters. In 2024/25, 96 people were prosecuted for attempting to cheat driving tests or impersonate candidates, the DVSA said. Several headline cases underline the consequences: Sorina-Ana Turcitu, 42, admitted trying to take a practical test for someone else and received a 12-week suspended prison sentence. Ali Rasul, 22, was handed a two-year prison sentence after repeatedly trying to cheat theory tests using hidden earpieces and impersonators. Qounain Khan, 23, received an eight-month prison term after admitting to impersonating learners on multiple occasions.
Safety concerns and sector response
Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation warned that cheating candidates are “putting other road users at risk,” because untested or unqualified drivers may lack essential skills. The DVSA and courts appear to be taking a firmer line, reflecting both the public safety risks and the need to protect the integrity of the driving test.
Conclusion — implications and outlook
The spike in cases shows a renewed focus on enforcement and the penalties available to deter fraud. For learners, instructors and employers, the message is clear: cheating carries real legal and safety consequences, from driving bans to custodial sentences. Restoring trust will require continued enforcement action, improved detection of technology-assisted cheating and public awareness of the risks — both legal and to road safety. Policymakers and test centres will likely review safeguards and detection methods to prevent further increases in cheating.
