• Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • LAD Originals

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Man sentenced for paying impersonator £800 for taking driving theory test

Gregory Robinson

Published 
| Last updated 

Man sentenced for paying impersonator £800 for taking driving theory test

A man resorted to desperate measures to pass his driving theory test after 14 failed attempts and it has led to dire consequences.

Mohammad Shoaib, 38, from Luton, paid an impersonator £800 to take the test for him but he was caught red handed.

The 38-year-old aspiring driver was given the nickname ‘fifth failure’ by colleagues and friends because he couldn’t crack the driving theory test.

In an illegal attempt to get himself on the road, he paid two impersonators almost 35 times the cost of the test to take the theory test on his behalf between 30 December, 2021 and 5 January, 2022.

Advert

While the first impersonator was caught and barred from taking the exam in Sidcup, south-east London, the second was able to pass the test in Southampton.

Mohammad Shoaib resorted to desperate measures to pass his driving theory test. Credit: pabsigns / Alamy Stock Photo
Mohammad Shoaib resorted to desperate measures to pass his driving theory test. Credit: pabsigns / Alamy Stock Photo

"Mr Shoaib provided a provisional driving licence to enable an impersonator to take his theory test on his behalf,” Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, told City of London Magistrates' Court.

“On December 30 the impersonator attended the Sidcup theory test centre, but staff at the theory centre were not satisfied with the licence and the man was refused to take the test.

Advert

“On January 5 another impersonator attended a Southampton test centre, so quite some distance away.

“On both occasions they were using Mr Shoaib's licence. On this occasion that person was allowed in and passed their test.

“It should be noted for the record that when it came to pass, the theory pass was automatically disqualified and he didn't go on to take his practical.

The second impersonator was able to pass but the plot was uncovered soon after. Credit: Paul Melling / Alamy Stock Photo
The second impersonator was able to pass but the plot was uncovered soon after. Credit: Paul Melling / Alamy Stock Photo
Advert

“Mr Shoaib attended for interview and admitted paying the sum of £800 to an unknown man for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a theory pass.

“He made numerous attempts to pass and had kept failing when he was approached by a person who knew he had issues and offered to take the test for him. He asked for £800 and a licence to be sent to him.”

He continued: "If this was just a one-off we wouldn't prosecute, but it happened twice.

“Also the other element of this is; this is all done by organised crime. There is organised crime behind it which is why we prosecute these cases.”

Advert

Shahzad Hussain, who defended Shoaib, said the court case has had a huge impact on the learner driver. “He works six days a week in a warehouse and he has not slept since these proceedings and is extremely anxious.

Shoaib will continue to take theory tests. Credit: Brian Jackson / Alamy Stock Photo
Shoaib will continue to take theory tests. Credit: Brian Jackson / Alamy Stock Photo

“This was an opportunity that arose and he paid for it.”

Hussain confirmed that Shoaib, who has been sentenced to a 12-month community order, will continue to take theory tests.

Advert

Not only will he have to follow a tagged curfew from 10am to 5pm for a month starting on Thursday (30 March) - which should give him time to study the Highway Code - he must also pay £230 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. He 'took the L' and admitted to one count of supplying an article for use in fraud for his dodgy provisional license.

Featured Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd UC15 / Alamy Stock Photo Brian Jackson / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: News, UK News, Cars

Gregory Robinson
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

News

Terrifying audio resurfaces from inside the space capsule during the Apollo 1 disaster

13 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Peter Kay is planning for Phoenix Nights Christmas special and he wants a movie to be made

19 hours ago