Scammers found selling driving licences online for £600

11th Sep 2020

Fancy picking up a ‘full driving licence’ for £600? A BBC investigation has revealed fraudsters claiming to work for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are offering the documents illegally online.

Imposters working on social media claim to be able to book and pass driving tests without the motorists ever needing to visit a test centre.

They advertise both a plastic licence card and test certificate as part of their fraudulent packages.

They later send customers screenshots from the DVLA’s ‘view your licence’ webpage as proof that they have successfully achieved their full driving licence.

However, an investigation by BBC News discovered that the images are only mock-ups and use licence numbers that don’t appear on the DVLA’s database.

The DVLA themselves have dismissed the claims as a scam, saying: "Only DVLA can issue a driving licence. We can confirm that the examples seen are not genuine."

The fraudsters are known to advertise their services on Instagram before asking clients to message them privately on WhatsApp.

There, they ask for their client’s address, date of birth and a passport photo in order to process their request.

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In a conversation with a BBC reporter posing as a customer, one scammer explained: "We usually book your test for you and pass it without you actually being there, but it's gonna look like you were there."

The swindler told the reporter that everything could be done in five to seven days.

Reports suggest that the scammers are based across the country in Liverpool, Birmingham, North Yorkshire, Bradford and London.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said: “We are aware of these offers and are investigating similar claims.

"We have so far found no evidence to suggest these claims are true or anything more than money-making scams."

One of the scammers’ customers told the BBC that, despite paying a vendor, she didn’t receive the promised driving licence, only a photo from the ‘view your licence’ website.

"I checked the [licence] details he sent me, but it was all fake," she says. "I never received no licence, just that picture.

"If you've found him, can you get my money back? I want my money back."

The DVSA also warned members of the public that attempting to purchase a licence is illegal.

"The driving test is there to make sure all drivers have the skills and knowledge to use the roads safely and responsibly; trying to circumvent it is illegal and a serious danger to road users."

To find out how to get your driving licence the right way, follow the RAC's guides on learning to drive.