Lloyds Bank has issued a stark warning to learner drivers following a significant surge in scams related to driving lessons and tests.

The bank reported a 92% increase in such fraudulent activities between September 2024 and February 2025, compared to the previous six months, with victims losing an average of £244.

Modus Operandi

Huge waits for driving tests and problems in booking tests have provided a perfect opportunity for operators to offer potential shortcuts at highly inflated prices and often with no actual test booking at the end of it.

These scams predominantly originate on social media platforms, where fraudsters post advertisements offering discounted driving lessons or guaranteed early test slots.

They often masquerade as affiliates of reputable driving schools to appear legitimate.

Once contacted, typically via WhatsApp, they request upfront payments—commonly £150 for a set of five lessons, plus additional fees up to £100 for insurance.

However, the promised lessons never occur, and the scammers sever all communication, leaving aspiring drivers out of pocket.

Another prevalent tactic involves fake driving test bookings.

Advertisements claim to secure early or specific test dates, but victims arrive at test centres only to discover no booking exists.

 

 

 Backlogs and desperation

The backlog of driving tests, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to extended waiting times, creating a fertile ground for scammers.

Desperate to expedite the process, learners may turn to unofficial channels, inadvertently falling prey to fraud.

Some brokers exploit this desperation by using automated software to block-book test slots, which they then resell at inflated prices, sometimes reaching £200, far exceeding the official £62 fee.

In fact, the use of specially designed software systems is undermining an outdated and relatively unprotected official test booking system.

While the DVSA claims it is working to improve security and prevent block bookings by unscrupulous agents, there is little belief that the changes will arrive soon.

Meanwhile, official attempts to reduce the test backlogs have largely failed to improve the situation for many legitimate candidates and driving schools.

Routes and reason

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds Bank, emphasises the importance of vigilance: “Driving is a rite of passage for many people, and an eagerness to get behind the wheel as soon as possible—particularly if there are long waits for driving tests—can make people vulnerable to these driving scams.”

Ziegler advises using reputable instructors or companies and exercising caution with suspiciously cheap offers, pressure-selling tactics, or requests for payments to accounts with mismatched names.

Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving School, echoed these concerns, noting that high demand and long waiting times have made learners targets for opportunists, including those impersonating genuine driving schools online.

Unfortunately, those using these third parties to provide early test slots only exacerbate the waiting times and problems for all candidates.

 

Preventive Measures for Learner Drivers

To safeguard against these scams, learner drivers are advised to:

1. Be Cautious on Social Media: Scrutinise advertisements for driving lessons or test bookings, especially those on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

2. Avoid Upfront Payments: Be wary of requests for upfront payments for lessons, test bookings, insurance, or administrative fees, particularly if asked to pay into accounts that do not match the instructor’s name or multiple accounts.

3. Resist Pressure Tactics: Legitimate driving schools do not employ high-pressure sales tactics or offer limited-time deals.

4. Conduct Thorough Research: Verify the credentials of driving instructors or companies by checking reviews and professional accreditations. If someone claims affiliation with a reputable school, contact the school directly to confirm.

5. Demand Clear Information: Insist on detailed information about lesson packages, cancellation policies, and payment agreements. Be prepared to walk away if such details are not provided.

 

On the social

Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, have been identified as common avenues for these scams.

Despite policies against such fraudulent activities, enforcement has been inconsistent, allowing scammers to exploit these channels.

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has stated it is working with UK banks to combat fraud and urges users to report suspicious posts.

The surge in driving lesson and test scams underscores the need for heightened awareness among learner drivers.

By exercising caution, conducting due diligence, and utilising official booking channels, aspiring drivers can protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

In response to the alarming rise in scams targeting learner drivers, highlighted by Lloyds Bank’s recent report of a 92% increase in fraudulent activities over six months, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the UK government have initiated comprehensive measures to reduce driving test waiting times and combat booking scams.

 

 

A plan

To address the backlog and improve the testing process, the DVSA has implemented a 7-point strategy:

1. Recruitment of Driving Examiners: The DVSA is actively recruiting 450 additional driving examiners across Great Britain to increase testing capacity. As of December 2024, 116 examiners have commenced testing, 63 are in training, 46 are scheduled for training, and 171 are undergoing pre-employment checks. A new recruitment campaign is planned for March 2025.

2. Review of Booking Rules: The agency is reviewing and improving the rules for booking driving tests to ensure a fair and efficient system, including a public consultation on proposed changes.

3. Enhanced Terms for Businesses: Tougher terms and conditions have been introduced for the online business service to prevent misuse by third-party booking services. Businesses must not book tests on behalf of learners they do not instruct, with non-compliance resulting in suspension.

4. Extended Rebooking Period: Proposals are underway to increase the waiting period for rebooking a test after a failed attempt from 10 to 28 working days. This change aims to ensure candidates have adequate time to improve their skills before retesting.

5. Increased Cancellation Notice: The cancellation notice period has been extended from three to ten days. This measure is designed to reduce short-notice cancellations, allowing better allocation of test slots.

6. Public Awareness Campaigns: The DVSA is conducting campaigns to educate learner drivers about the risks of using unofficial booking services and the importance of booking tests through the official DVSA website.

7. Technological Enhancements: Investments are being made to upgrade the driving test booking system to enhance security and user experience and make it more resilient against fraudulent activities.

 

Moving forward

The UK government supports these initiatives, with Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood emphasising the urgency of addressing the backlog and protecting learners from exploitation.

Legislative measures are being considered to deter fraudulent practices further and ensure a fair testing process for all candidates.

These combined efforts aim to significantly reduce waiting times and minimize the risk of fraud, ensuring that learner drivers have a smoother and safer path to obtaining their licenses.

Aspiring drivers and their instructors are encouraged to stay informed about official procedures and remain vigilant against potential scams.