Following a recent case exposing a cheating learner-driver, who escaped a prison sentence after getting a friend to sit his 19th driving theory test appointment, Book Theory Test Today’s latest blog asks are these cheats escaping punishment too easily?
Obtaining a UK driving theory test pass certificate allows an individual to apply for their practical driving test. The potential consequences of a motorist, who obtained a driving theory test certificate illegally, taking to Britain’s roads do not bear thinking about.
The recent case in question involved 26-year-old Ali Mohammed of Winson Green, Birmingham. The Turkish-born national recruited ‘a substitute,’ to sit his driving theory test on his behalf after 18 previous attempts resulted in failure.
Birmingham Crown Court heard how Mohammed had failed the driving theory test 18 times over a period of 7 years. At the height of his frustration he paid an imposter to undertake the test. However, the scam was foiled by a sharp-eyed member of DVLA personnel after spotting that the imposter did not match the picture displayed on the provisional driving licence.
Although recorder, Edward Cooke, spared the test cheat a prison sentence – ‘hesitantly’ according to reports – the fact remains that he walked away without punishment. Book Theory Test Today questions what kind of message this sends out to driving theory test cheats, chance your luck and if you get caught you’ll get away with it to try it again.
Mohammed was given a nine month suspended sentence, a lenient punishment according to the majority. The question now needs to be raised – if he attempts to cheat the system again, gets away with it, ends up on Britain’s roads and the authorities had the chance to punish him accordingly on a previous occasion – would the authorities be held to account?
In a statement from Rhydian James, prosecutor for the Mohammed case, he said: “Mohammed failed to pass the test since first holding a provisional licence in 2007 and previously tried to use a ringer in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.â€
He added: “He has 18 theory tests spanning several years. The test was booked online using a debit card in the name of the defendant. A man impersonating the defendant attended that day, produced the defendant’s provisional licence and signed an electronic strip. He was refused entry because he did not fit with the licence photograph.â€
Mohammed did admit to fraud when entering his plea however, his lawyer Neil Stelling, said of his client: “Mr Mohammed acted out of desperation in order to ease the strain on his car valeting business. He had tried and tried and tried again to get his licence legitimately. He is a family man with commitments to a partner and a child. He has resolved to sort his life out and has set up a business.â€
A statement from Book Theory Test Today said: “Allowing individuals to get away with such activities without punishment sends out the wrong message, we appreciate that the presiding judge was reluctant not to hand out a prison sentence, but the fact remains that he was allowed to walk free.â€
Book Theory Test Today added: “The closing statement from the judge was very telling – ‘without the theory, members of the public could be maimed or killed because of an ignorance of the theory of driving’. If the judge knows that he is free to do this again, potentially being the perpetrator of a road accident resulting in serious injury or death, why was he released?â€
Tags: Driving License, Driving Theory Test, Driving Theory Test UK, Hazard Perception, Hazard Perception test, Theory Test, UK Full Driving Theory Test
