For many families, helping a young person learn to drive is a milestone moment, and often an expensive one. But with driving test waiting times across Great Britain stretching to around 22 weeks (and up to 24 weeks in London), growing numbers of learners, and their families, are becoming targets for fraudsters promising a quicker route to a licence.
How the scam works
Criminals are exploiting delays in the system by advertising ways to “skip the queue” for a driving test, or even to buy a full licence without taking the exam.
The fraudsters claim to have insiders at the DVLA or DVSA who can fast-track applications. Some go so far as to say they can provide a full driving licence and test pass certificates in exchange for hundreds of pounds, typically between £500 and £850.
Victims are often approached on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, or contacted via WhatsApp after responding to what looks like an attractive offer.
The criminals ask for personal information, such as a provisional licence screenshot, and request payment via bank transfer. Some claim to use “DVSA-certified instructors” to process details, or to have “agents inside the system.”
In reality, these are completely bogus claims. No one can legitimately obtain a driving licence without taking and passing the required tests.
The consequences can be severe
The DVLA and DVSA have confirmed that none of these accounts are genuine and that any documents received through such schemes are counterfeit.
Possessing or using a fake driving licence can lead to up to 10 years in prison, not to mention the risk of identity theft and financial loss.
According to TSB Bank, cases of driving lesson and test scams have doubled in the past year, with victims losing an average of £244, and nearly all scams originating on social media.
What parents and grandparents should do
With so many young drivers relying on family members for help paying for lessons, cars, or insurance, it’s easy to see how well-meaning relatives might be drawn into what looks like a time-saving solution.
Here are some key tips to stay safe:
- Book only through official channels. Driving tests should only ever be booked via the official DVSA website.
- Be suspicious of social media offers. If someone claims to “fast-track” a test or sell a licence, it’s a scam.
- Never share personal details or documents with anyone claiming to represent the DVLA or DVSA.
- Report suspicious activity to Action Fraud — the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- Talk to your children or grandchildren about these scams. Many victims are young drivers desperate to get on the road and unaware of the risks.
Patience really is the safest option
Learning to drive takes time, and so does getting a test slot at the moment. As frustrating as the wait can be, there are no legitimate shortcuts. Paying someone to “help” is likely to end in financial loss, identity theft, or even criminal charges.
