Bad drivers using doppelgängers to pass test

It's often said that the number of ways of arranging atoms and amino acids only goes so far, so the theory is that everyone has a perfect double out there somewhere. Imagine some day not only meeting that double, but actually paying them cash to sit your driving test for you because you're afraid of failing.

Well, the truth is that you don't have to imagine it – it's happening right now. According to a report in The Times, the number of such cases in the UK has risen by more than 100 in a year. The UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has investigated 677 such cases for the 2014-2015 period, up from 544 the year before.

Criminal fraternity

This is not just about a chance meeting on the street or in a pub either – the criminal fraternity has cottoned on to this particular scam and is charging those who can’t remember their theory test revision as much as £1,800 (€2,400) to track down a look- alike to sit the test for them.

Andy Rice, head of the DVLA’s anti-fraud unit, said that “the driving test is there to ensure that all drivers have the skills and knowledge to use the roads safely and responsibly.

“Anyone who tries to circumvent this process is putting innocent road users at risk. Driving test fraud is a serious offence and is dealt with accordingly. We have stringent measures in place to detect fraudulent activity and work closely with the police to bring all offenders to justice.”

So far, investigations have racked up some impressive, or worrying, statistics – 188 arrests, 55 convictions and 37 people sentenced to time behind bars. Some 97 drivers have had their unearned licences taken off them.

Security features

Could the same thing be happening here? Not much, seems to be the answer. Brian Farrell, from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), told The Irish Times that "since the introduction of the new plastic card driving licence and learner permit, which has enhanced security features, and other anti-fraud measures, there is a marked reduction in the number of cases of suspected impersonation presenting at the driving test in Ireland".

In the past, the RSA has experienced cases where it was suspected that the person presenting to sit the driving test was not the test candidate on the required ID.

In these cases, as protocol requires, the gardaí are contacted. Thereafter, it is a matter for the gardaí to investigate. In 2012, five cases were reported; in 2013, 12 cases were referred to the gardaí and, in 2014, just one case was reported.

Those numbers seem reassuringly low, but the worry is that the UK figures are rising not because more people are trying it on, but because reporting has increased. Could we too be sitting on a pile of drivers who got their doppelgängers to take the test for them?