Latest news with #DriverandVehicleStandardsAgency
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Useless conman, 23, sat other people's theory driving tests for them but failed 11 times
A USELESS conman sat people's theory driving test for them — but failed 11 times. Qounain Khan, 23, was paid to impersonate learners whose English was not good enough to sit the written test — despite not having a licence himself. He would change his hairstyle to turn up at But Khan clocked up the fails as his face did not match the mugshot on the He passed a 12th test in Cardiff in June 2023 but by then the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had rumbled him. It found he sat tests in Chesterfield, Surrey, Carlisle, Worcester, Redditch, Dudley, Swindon, Bradford and Wolverhampton over a 19-month period. Read More on UK News Prosecutor Justin Davies said: 'He was taking these tests while he was not the holder of a driving license himself. 'He operated across the country for 19 months playing the lead role as an impersonator. 'But he was able to be identified, despite wearing his hair in different styles.' The university student, from Birmingham, who had debts from gambling, drinking and drug use, had claimed that he was given £300 to stand-in for a learner and only got paid if they passed. Most read in The Sun He was jailed for eight months at Cardiff crown court after admitting charges including 12 of fraud by false representation. None of the learner drivers were prosecuted, but were sent warning letters by the DVSA. 'I'm a driving instructor and here are the 5 most common questions asked on the theory test'- 1 Qounain Khan was paid to impersonate learners whose English was not good enough to sit the written test — despite not having a licence himself Credit: Jon Rowley
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Impersonator took theory driving test for person who couldn't speak English
Impersonator took theory driving test for person who couldn't speak English Qounain Khan, 23, was caught pretending to be the registered test taker after attending a test centre in Cardiff. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live ) An 'impersonator' was caught sitting a driving theory test on behalf of the person who was registered to take the test because their English was not good enough. He was found to have attempted to sit a number of theory tests at different centres over a period of two years. Qounain Khan, 23, attended a test centre in Cardiff on June 15, 2023, where he gave his name as an individual who was booked to undertake the theory test on that day. He also provided a bank card and ID, which he was required to do as part of the identification process. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Khan was challenged by an investigator from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. The defendant maintained he was the individual but upon being shown a photograph of the person he was pretending to be, he accepted he was an impersonator. He told the investigator he had travelled to Cardiff by train from Birmingham in order to carry out the test and was due to be paid £300 if he passed. He also claimed he had "never done this before". But an investigation revealed Khan had attended a number of centres throughout Wales and England purporting to be a registered individual. Article continues below Prosecutor Justin Davies said the defendant was readily identifiable despite making changes to his hairstyle. Between November 22, 2021, and June 15, 2023, Khan had attended test centres on 12 occasions while disguised. Among the centres he attended were Cardiff, Chesterfield, Redditch, Worcester, Wolverhampton, Horley in Surrey, Dudley, Swindon, Bradford and Carlisle. On each occasion, except from the Cardiff centre, he had been turned away and was not allowed to take the test. Mr Davies said a passed test by an impersonator could attract a price between £1,500 and £2,000. Khan, of Edmund Road, Birmingham, later pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud by false representation and 12 counts of possessing an article for use in fraud. The court heard he was of previous good character. In mitigation, Elin Morgan said her client was just 19-years-old when his offending began. She said the defendant had become unemployed which led him to alcohol, gambling and cannabis misuse which led to him racking up a £20,000 debt to friends and family. Ms Morgan said Khan is now clean of drugs, is studying business, is a father and expecting another child, and is a registered carer for his mother. Sentencing, Judge Richard Kember said: "This was a long period of offending and it was sophisticated... This was designed to undermine the integrity of the standards of the driving test." Article continues below The judge said a "deterrent sentence" was needed in cases such as these. Khan was sentenced to a total of eight months imprisonment.
Wales Online
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Motorway speed limit reduced for drivers in certain cars
Motorway speed limit reduced for drivers in certain cars The government has warned drivers not to go over the limit The speed limit can vary depending on what vehicle you're driving (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a caution to drivers, urging them to be careful of an important legal limit because it's "not always safe". The government has reminded drivers they must adhere to the appropriate speed limit for their vehicle type and the road they are on. "The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it does not mean it's safe to drive at this speed in all conditions," the Labour Party government website and DVSA have warned. While the standard motorway speed limit stands at 70mph, it's important to note that it drops to 60mph for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when they are towing caravans or trailers. The 60mph limit also applies to buses, coaches, and minibuses over 12 metres in length, as well as goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales. In the majority of built-up areas across Wales, the standard speed limit is set at 20 miles per hour (32km/h). For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Some Welsh roads have been reverted back to 30mph but where this is the case signs will advise drivers accordingly. Article continues below This decision is subject to individual councils running public consultations asking people which roads they thought should be considered for a change. The government has warned drivers about driving over the speed limit (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) The standard 20mph limit is the same for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans, motorhomes, dual-purpose vehicles or those towing vehicles and not dependant on vehicle type. The speed limit for buses, coaches and minibuses (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length), buses, coaches and minibuses (exceeding 12 metres in overall length) is also set at 20mph. It further applies to goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight), goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales. Vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, such as buses, minibuses, coaches, and stretch limousines, must be fitted with a speed limiter. Article continues below This device must also be installed on goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes. These devices are engineered to minimise collisions by limiting the maximum speed of a vehicle through restricting the fuel supply to the engine. A speed limiter may mean the vehicle cannot reach the speed limit.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Motorists warned of major driving test shake-up plans that could benefit thousands
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced potential changes. The DVSA has announced plans for potential driving test changes which could help with exam waiting times. There are currently around 60,000 UK motorists waiting to sit their driving tests, but are being forced to wait longer than expected. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are keen to gets drivers' views on the potential changes which will impact how driving tests are booked and managed. A spokesperson for the DVSA said: "We're looking at 2 main areas: who should be allowed to book and manage driving tests and should we limit or remove the ability to change test centres and swap tests between different learners." The DVSA hope the to make the booking system fairer for learner drivers and also to stop motorists from being charged excessive fees when booking, reports Birmingham Live. A spokesperson for the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) said: "The Driver Training industry welcomes this consultation as a key step in improving accessibility and usability of the test booking system for legitimate users, but equally, as an important step towards preventing access by those seeking to exploit learners through the illegitimate sale of test slots at extortionate prices. 'We urge pupils, parents and trainers to respond to the consultation and ensure they are part of enabling better, more efficient and fairer solutions for booking driving tests in the future." Some 603,352 future practical driving tests were booked as of the end of April, according to analysis of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures by the PA news agency. That is up 16 per cent from 521,190 this time one year ago. Labour Party MP Lillian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads said: 'Driving isn't just about getting from A to B — it's a vital link to jobs, social opportunities, and a stronger economy, which helps to deliver our Plan for Change. "This consultation is an important move towards giving learners more say over how and where they can book, alongside setting out options to better enable DVSA to block bots from stealing slots, so learners can get on the road without unnecessary delays. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Working with the DVSA, we want to make driving test booking fairer, protect all learners from exploitation, and reduce lengthy waiting times." Loveday Ruder, DVSA Chief Executive explained: 'We've been working tirelessly to bring down the driving test waiting times. "To help tackle this, in December 2024 we announced a new plan, on which we're making good progress. 'DVSA's goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for everyone while preventing excessive charges for learner drivers". Drivers in parts of Scotland were warned this week of new parking restrictions which are being phased in. Motorists who park on pavements, dropped kerbs or are caught double parking in East Ayrshire will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - will start to be issued from Monday, July 7, when the full enforcement begins. Motorists who are caught parking on pavements will be expected to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Powys County Times
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
How you could get a roadside fine amid new DVSA changes
Motorists can now use Apple Pay and Google Pay to settle roadside fines under new changes from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The alteration came into effect earlier this week, and is intended to make the process simpler for drivers. It comes as the DVSA has started using a new company to process payments for roadside fines. This will enable drivers to use their smartphones at the roadside to pay for several offences. The DVSA has the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for various offences related to vehicle condition, driver hours and licensing, impacting both domestic and international drivers. What could I get a roadside fine for? Some common offences that could see drivers hit with a DVSA roadside fine are listed below. Driver's House and Tachograph Offences Exceeding daily or weekly driving time limits Not taking required breaks or rest periods Failing to use a tachograph Using a defective or tampered tachograph Falsifying or failing to produce tachograph records Vehicle Roadworthiness Driving with defective brakes, tyres, lights, suspension, or steering Dangerous load securing or overloaded vehicles Failure to carry out proper daily walkaround checks Operating an unroadworthy vehicle (may result in a prohibition as well as a fine) Licencing and Documentation Driving without a valid driver's licence or correct entitlements (e.g., no HGV licence) Operating without a valid Operator's Licence No MOT certificate (if required) Lack of vehicle insurance or road tax Failure to produce required documentation (e.g. vehicle registration, insurance) What is Fuel Duty? Weight and Load Offences Overloading axles or gross vehicle weight Incorrect or dangerous load securing Incorrect use of trailers Emissions and Mechanical Defects Emissions tampering e.g. AdBlue cheat devices or DPF removals Using a vehicle that does not meet emissions standards Driver Conduct and Road Safety Using a mobile phone while driving Driving without wearing a seatbelt Poor vehicle condition leading to immediate prohibition Excessive vehicle noise or emissions Recommended reading: Fines can range from £50 to £300 per offence, depending on severity, and multiple fines can be issued at once (for both driver hours and vehicle defects). Major changes to car tax were also introduced earlier this year, seeing costs go up for many drivers.
