- GOV.UK says it is illegal both to use an impersonator to take your test and to impersonate a candidate; penalties include prison, driving bans, unpaid work and court costs.
- A report on DVSA data counts 2,844 cheating attempts in the year to September 2025, up 47%.
- Report suspected impersonation to DVSA at enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk or 0800 030 4103.
- The same report says nearly 100 people have been prosecuted for cheating or impersonation.
What counts as test fraud
GOV.UK names two offences. One is using an impersonator to take the test for you; the other is impersonating a candidate and taking their test. Cheating with a hidden earpiece or phone is the related third form that shows in the figures. The page says people involved can be sent to prison, banned from driving, ordered to do unpaid work or made to pay court costs. Both sides are exposed, and the person who pays has put their identity in someone else's hands.
The scale, by type
| Type, year to September 2025 | Attempts recorded |
|---|---|
| Hidden technology (Bluetooth earpieces, concealed phones) | 1,113 |
| Impersonation at theory tests | 1,084 |
| Impersonation at practical tests | 647 |
| All cheating attempts | 2,844, up 47% on the previous year |
These come from a report on DVSA data, not from a GOV.UK page, and it says impersonators can be paid up to £2,000 a test. The report describes how detection works: photo ID matching at practical tests, and pocket and sleeve checks at theory test centres.
Sentences reported
The same report lists three cases. A man in his early twenties received eight months in prison after pleading guilty to impersonating learners at theory test centres 12 times. A woman in her forties was given 12 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for attempting to take a practical test for someone else. A man of 22 was sentenced to two years after repeated attempts to cheat the theory test over eight months with an earpiece or an impersonator. These are examples of sentences passed, not a tariff.
If someone offers to sit your test
- Say no and keep the messages. Fraud groups often move straight on to selling fake certificates and licences.
- Do not send ID photos or booking details. The seller can reuse them.
- Report it to DVSA with names, addresses, descriptions, dates, times and where you found the offer, as GOV.UK asks. DVSA may not tell you the outcome.
- If you already paid, tell your bank, then see how to report a scam.
Honest ways round the barrier
- Language: use the support described on the official booking service on GOV.UK.
- Nerves: book practice with an approved instructor and use the official theory test practice material.
- Time: the route in getting a UK driving licence sets out the steps without shortcuts.
- Certificates: a theory pass certificate bought online is a different offence; see buying a theory test certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to pay someone to take my driving test?
Yes. GOV.UK says using an impersonator to take the test for you is against the law, and the person who sits it is committing an offence as well. Penalties can include prison, a driving ban, unpaid work and court costs.
What is test impersonation?
Someone other than the candidate sits the theory or practical test under the candidate's name. GOV.UK treats both the person using the impersonator and the person impersonating the candidate as committing offences. Hidden earpieces are a related way of cheating.
How is impersonation detected?
A report on DVSA data says photo ID is matched at practical tests, and pockets and sleeves are checked at theory tests. It also says DVSA's detection has improved, which is why it recorded 2,844 attempts in the year to September 2025.
How do I report someone selling test impersonation?
Email enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk or ring 0800 030 4103, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, as GOV.UK lists. Give names, addresses, descriptions, dates, times and where you saw the offer. DVSA investigates but may not tell you the result.
What can happen to the person who sits in?
A report on DVSA data lists sentences from a suspended 12-week term to two years in prison. GOV.UK gives the general list of prison, bans, unpaid work and court costs, so the outcome depends on the case.