A Press Association News Agency freedom information request revealed 2,844 attempts to cheat during driving tests in the year to September 2025, 47% higher than the previous year.
Of those, more than a third (1,113) involved the use of technology, such as an earpiece connected via Bluetooth to a concealed phone, to try to cheat at a theory test.
Meanwhile people attempted 1,084 times to try to take theory tests while impersonating the registered candidate.
And in 647 incidents, people pretended to be the registered candidate for a practical test.
Dr Rasha Kassem, leader of the Fraud Research Group at Aston University, warned of the dangers of people passing tests illegally without actually knowing how to drive.
“It means that there will be more accidents, collisions, insurance issues as well, damage to the car, and damage to human beings, injuries, and in some cases, death,” she said.
“There has to be public awareness, because this is a serious crime, from my perspective, and also in the eyes of the law. It is fraud.”
Impersonators, and those who use them, face punishments ranging from driving bans to prison sentences. They can also be ordered to carry out unpaid work or made to pay court costs.
Ninety-six people were prosecuted for attempting to cheat on driving tests or impersonate candidates in the 12 months to September last year.
Steps taken to try and prevent fraud including matching a practical test candidate’s face with their photo ID, as well as asking theory candidates to roll up their sleeves and show their pockets are empty.
