Are driving test backlogs leading to an increase in scams against learner drivers?

Analysis from TSB Bank has sown that there has been a dramatic increase in fraudsters targeting learner drivers in the UK.

In fact, there has been a 211% rise in just a year in the total loses from fraud between January and August 2025 – totalling an average loss by learner of £244.

The bank’s customer data found that scammers are increasingly using social media platforms to advertise fake driving lessons and tests.

As a result, thousands of young people and new drivers are being taken for hundreds of pounds.

Large backlogs of learner drivers looking to book driving tests has been stated as a major factor in the rise in fraud.

TSB’s assessment of the figures found that the majority of the recorded scams were carried out on the major social media platforms.

Facebook accounted for the largest number, with 56% of all driving lesson and test fraud losses coming from there.

The Meta-owned company also saw a further fraud on its other platforms – notably Instagram (9%) and WhatsApp (8%).

Other social media networks with reported fraud towards learner drivers included Snapchat (9%) and TikTok (8%).

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Alex Robinson, Head of Fraud Analytics, TSB, said: “Fraudsters have really upped their attempts to target learner drivers – with offers of driving lessons and fast-tracked tests that simply don’t exist.

“Almost all of these scams start from social media platforms – so we’d advise only paying for a service if you can verify it first and stick to official routes when booking your exam.

“Don’t let a fraudster put the brakes on learning to drive.”

In response, a DVSA spokesperson said: "TSB's data shows that there is a serious and growing problem with this type of fraud.

“These accounts and sites are recognised scams that attempt to obtain payment or personal information and are not connected to DVSA.

“We take all allegations about test fraud extremely seriously and fully investigate reports of any individuals who attempt to circumvent the testing process.

“We urge people to report any suspicious social media accounts offering driving services to the relevant social media network."

In May this year, the DVSA announced that 603,352 future practical driving tests had been booked - a 16% increase from 521,190 at the same time in 2024.

Also, DVSA data shows that the number of tests conducted in the first four months of this year is 15% lower than during the same period in 2024.