Recently here at Britannia we have had some pupils being turned away from their practical driving test due to their pictures not being up to date.

The staff at the test centers are on high alert to be on the look out for fraudsters who are trying to take the test on behalf of someone else. Whilst you may be completely innocent and not up to no good, it is something to bare in mind.

If you have had a change in appearance such as but not limited to :

• Dramatic hairstyle change
• Beard/no beard
• Dramatic weight loss/ weight gain

Anything that could of altered you appearance could cause a problem, For instance if your provisional license picture if of you with no make up on and you go to your test with a full face of make up this could cause the staff to doubt your picture. The staff have to make a decision on a limited time frame.

Your provisional license is valid for 10 years so if you got your license in 2014 being age 17 then take your test in 2024 being age 27 then you could of undergone a lot of facial changes.

This is just something to bare in mind, as I’m sure we are all aware of the huge back log regarding tests. It would be extremely unfortunate and frustrating to have your long awaited test to be cancelled on such grounds.

 

You need to renew your full or provisional driving licence if you want to update your photo. You’ll get a new licence. You can apply online with the DVLA if you have a valid UK passport and want to use your passport photo. It costs £14 when you apply online.

 

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A man who attempted to take a practical driving test on behalf of someone else has been sentenced.

Police officers from Nottinghamshire Police fraud team made contact with the Worksop Test Centre to alert them of the fraudulent Driving Test about to take place on the 24/10/23.

The fraud team had reason to believe Mr Ali Mohammed 48, would be providing the test centre with false details and would attempt to take the test on behalf of another man later that day.

The staff at the test centre had promptly flagged that the man undertaking the test looked vastly younger than the ID documents, Mohammed was arrested upon arriving back to the test centre on suspicion of fraud.

Mohammed, of Estone Walk, Birmingham, was given a jail sentence of 20 weeks, suspended for 18 months, when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (2 January).

He will also have to carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work in the community as part of his sentence.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation at the same court.

Police Constable Bethany Childs, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Driving tests are vital in ensuring motorists have a decent level of skill and experience in order to safely use our roads.

“Impersonating another individual on a test for financial gain is obviously a serious offence which potentially puts other road users at risk and undermines the principle of the testing process.

“I hope this case sends a clear message to those who believe they can break the law for their own financial gain that offences will be uncovered and you will be brought before the courts.”

The court was told the fraud attempt was ‘crudely executed’ as Mohammed looked ‘markedly different’ to the man who was booked in for the test.

In mitigation, it was said he was under pressure to pay a debt to a family member at the time of the offence and had not offended in around 20 years.

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