31% say driving test cheaters should face jail

A new survey has revealed that 31% of Brits believe anyone caught cheating on their driving test should face the strictest of punishments.

Motoring experts at Tiger.co.uk have warned about the dangers posed by drivers who try to cheat on their driving test, explaining that unqualified drivers would put not only themselves but all road users at risk.

This follows recent DVSA figures showing a 47% rise in cheating incidents,* with some offenders receiving custodial sentences for fraud-related offences.**

Tiger.co.uk’s survey found drivers across the country were in agreement with strict penalties, with 31% saying drivers who attempt to cheat should face criminal prosecution and 38% saying cheaters should face licence suspensions. A further 12% believe that those caught cheating should face a lifetime driving ban, while 9% favoured fines and another 9% supported penalty points on the licence.

Those attempting to cheat currently face a range of penalties, from driving bans to prison sentences.*

Passing a driving test has become increasingly challenging, with national pass rates declining steadily from 63.1% in 2010-11 to just 44.9% in the 2025-26 financial year.***

Experts warn that this increasing difficulty and long waiting times may be tempting some learners to take shortcuts, creating a serious safety risk on UK roads.****

The survey also revealed that 83% of respondents are in favour of a minimum learning period of three months before new drivers are allowed to drive independently – supporting the Government’s newly announced road safety measures.

Experts say these additions are vital to ensure all drivers gain the skills and experience needed to drive safely. More time on the road allows new drivers to master correct procedures and essential safety skills, while also giving them the opportunity to build confidence on the road.

Drivers who cheat, using impersonators or Bluetooth headphones connected to concealed phones, are not likely to have the knowledge or experience needed to handle being on the road, compromising the safety of all road users.

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk said: “It’s encouraging to see such strong public support for tough penalties for those who try to cheat on their driving test. 

“Drivers who are attempting to bypass proper training aren’t just risking their own safety, they’re putting other lives in danger, and that’s something no one should take lightly.

“Young drivers in particular have the highest rate of accidents on UK roads and this figure is growing – around 20% of all killed or seriously injured casualties were from collisions involving at least one young driver.*****

“This latest rise in cheating statistics supports the need for the new Government safety measures amongst this high-risk age group, in a welcome bid to reduce accidents and improve safety standards amongst new drivers.”

Tiger.co.uk gives customers the tools to help them compare and find savings on all sorts of motoring products, from car insurance to van, fleet and motorbike insurance.

References:

Tiger.co.uk’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during February 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.

*https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g30wwmnno

**https://www.itv.com/news/2026-01-20/driving-test-cheat-attempts-soar-47-in-a-year

*** Table reference: DRT111A  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/driving-test-and-theory-test-data-cars#car-theory-test-data-for-great-britain

****https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-02-12/debates/2EA1E5D7-085B-4D8F-AFAB-FE9149DCB30A/DrivingTestWaitingTimes

*****https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-older-and-younger-driver-factsheets-2024/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-younger-driver-factsheet-2024?