A Birmingham father-of-three, Charanjit Singh, was convicted for fraudulent driving test attempts after having a friend take his theory tests on his behalf. Singh, a labourer from Mary Road, Handsworth, struggled with limited English proficiency, which he cited as a key reason for his desperate actions.
Singh’s first attempt to have a friend take his theory test occurred on April 5, 2023, at a Birmingham test centre. Staff quickly identified the impersonation, and though Singh received a warning, no immediate prosecution followed. Undeterred, he repeated the ploy on September 7, 2024, at a different location in Redditch, where the fraud went initially undetected. Following this, Singh went on to take and pass the practical driving test himself.
However, a subsequent review of CCTV footage revealed the deception, confirming the individual taking the tests was not Singh. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) then prosecuted Singh on two counts related to knowingly providing a provisional driving licence for fraudulent use. Singh admitted both offences in April 2025.
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At Birmingham Magistrates' Court, prosecution highlighted the increasing problem of test impersonation, with thousands of cases reported, underscoring the dangers posed when unqualified drivers enter the roads, risking safety.
Defending Singh, his lawyer acknowledged his poor English skills and emphasized his motivation: the desire to obtain a driving licence to improve job prospects and support his family, including his partner and children. Singh had previously failed the theory test twice in person and required the licence to facilitate responsibilities such as taking his children to school.
Despite this, the court imposed a 12-month community order including 100 hours unpaid work, a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and financial penalties totaling over £2,100 to be repaid in installments. The judge noted the guilty plea reduced the unpaid work hours from 150.
The case highlights challenges faced by individuals with language barriers navigating essential processes and the serious legal consequences of attempting to circumvent regulations.