Driving Test Fraud Epidemic: London Impersonator Case Highlights 47% Surge in Cheating
A north London woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence after attempting to take a practical driving test on behalf of another person, as new data reveals a dramatic 47% increase in driving test cheating attempts across Britain within a single year.
Sorina-Ana Turcitu, 42, of Sidney Avenue, north London, admitted attempting to take a practical driving test on behalf of someone else at Ipswich Magistrates' Court in September 2025. She received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months for her fraudulent actions.
Alarming Statistics Reveal Widespread Problem
According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures obtained by the Press Association, recorded cases of driving test cheating reached 2,844 in the year to September 2025. This represents a significant jump from 1,940 cases during the previous 12 months and 1,274 cases in 2018/19.
The breakdown of cheating methods reveals:
- Technology-assisted cheating during theory tests (using earpieces connected to concealed phones) accounted for 1,113 cases
- Impersonation during theory tests occurred in 1,084 instances
- Practical test impersonation was recorded in 647 cases
Court documents revealed that Turcitu "dishonestly made a false representation" to the DVSA on October 24, 2024, arriving at a Bury St Edmunds test centre with another person's provisional driving licence, ready to take their practical examination.
National Crackdown on Test Fraud
The DVSA has attributed the increase in recorded cases to both more frequent cheating attempts and improved detection methods. Marian Kitson, DVSA's director of enforcement services, stated that the agency has enhanced its "fraud detection capabilities" and maintains a dedicated counter-fraud team that works closely with police forces.
"It is essential that all drivers demonstrate they have the right skills, knowledge and attitude to drive safely," Kitson emphasised. "Our team carries out robust investigations into suspected fraud to bring fraudsters to justice and keep Britain's roads safe."
Ninety-six people faced prosecution for attempting to cheat driving tests or impersonate candidates in 2024/25, with potential penalties including prison sentences, driving bans, unpaid work orders, and court costs.
Backlog Concerns and Safety Implications
The surge in cheating attempts coincides with substantial practical driving test backlogs across the country. In September 2025, learners faced average waiting times of 22 weeks for a test, compared to approximately five weeks in February 2020 before pandemic-related suspensions.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, commented: "The longer people have to wait to get a test slot, the greater the pressure to pass, but that's no excuse for cheating. Those looking to make money through impersonation and deception are putting other road users at risk."
Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School, described the increase in cheat attempts as "staggering" and expressed concern 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."
Additional Prosecution Cases Highlight Serious Consequences
Other recent prosecutions demonstrate the severe penalties facing driving test fraudsters:
- Qounain Khan, 23, of Birmingham received an eight-month prison sentence at Cardiff Crown Court in June 2025 after pleading guilty to impersonating learners at theory test centres twelve times
- Ali Rasul, 22, of Exeter was handed a two-year prison sentence at Exeter Crown Court in November 2025 after being caught repeatedly attempting to cheat the theory test over eight months using hidden earpieces or impersonators
Courts have heard that impersonators can receive payments of up to £2,000 for successfully passing a test on behalf of another candidate.
Enhanced Detection Measures Implemented
The DVSA has implemented multiple measures to combat test fraud, including:
- Requiring candidates to show their faces to verify they match photographic identification
- Asking theory test candidates to roll up sleeves and demonstrate empty pockets
- Conducting pat-down searches and using handheld metal detectors
- Utilising intelligence to identify vehicles and individuals involved in previous cheating attempts
Despite the correlation between increased waiting times and cheating attempts, the DVSA maintains it has no evidence directly linking the backlog to fraudulent behaviour. The agency continues to emphasise that all drivers must properly demonstrate their competence before being granted licences to ensure road safety for all users.
