06/12/2025
Driving Tests - It gets worse
I think we're all aware of the existence of test re-sellers. Techy people with clever software that hoover up tests at 6am every Monday, to then be sold on later at vast profits.
That's old news and nothing the authorities have done has improved matters.
Now, and more alarmingly, it appears that some driving instructors are involved in assisting the re-sellers.
How does it work? It's very simple really.
Many instructors have signed themselves up to be able to book tests on their pupils behalf. It's called the OBS - Online Booking Service.
The scam is quite simple. Crooked driving instructors give their OBS log in details to the re-sellers in return for a monthly fee, which appears to be between £100 and £250.
Once in possession of licence details, provided by people enquiring about test availability, together with instructors logon details, they then have all the tools they need to crack on and fill their bank account.
This murky industry has mushroomed out of the mess created in the wake of the Pandemic.
The government department in charge says they have been doing lots to stamp it out, but, personally, all I can see are things getting worse, not better.
To be a driving instructor, anyone applying must be classified as a "fit and proper person". Criminal record, excessive points on licence etc.
It is very clear, though, that if there are driving instructors taking kick backs from re-sellers, they most certainly are not "fit and proper", but they are out there nonetheless.
There may, however, be a tiny glimmer of hope in a couple of months.
The system is changing in the Spring so that only learners can book their own tests.
Will that help? In theory it should, but only time will tell. These scammers have found a way to keep their business ticking along so far, and this is in spite of the best efforts of the industry's governing body.
So I'm pretty sure they will be looking at ways now to tweek their business model to keep the cash rolling in. Time will tell.
I don't have an OBS logon. I have never booked tests on pupils behalf and I intend to keep it that way.
Until the Spring, those instructors who have sold their self respect to the re-sellers, they will continue to profit from this appalling trade in (mostly young) people's misery.
Make no mistake, there are plenty of superb instructors out there, running good businesses and providing an excellent service to their clients.
Sadly, though, there are clearly individuals out there who care less about their clients and more about lining their pockets.
I hope the BBC keep digging to expose the full extent of this problem.
Maybe once the governing authorities are embarrassed with the potential extent of instructor involvement, people they allow onto the Register of Driving Instructors remember, maybe then somebody may actually feel enough heat to spur them into doing something.
Thankfully I'm semi-retired now. I continue to do the job a couple of days a week, however, because I love it, not because I have to do it. If things continue to deteriorate, though, that may change.
There are plenty of things I can occupy my time with that are far less stressful than this industry, as it has been, and is now. Very sad, but the thrill of helping people get their licence keeps me going - for the time being, anyway.
Having spoken to other local instructors, others are thinking along the same lines.
There comes a point where you are using up so much physical and mental energy fighting a broken system, that the fight no longer seems worth the cost to mind and body.
Let's see how this plays out shall we? Well done to the BBC for embarrassing a few bad guys.
Fingers crossed, at the very least, HMRC will take an active interest in their finances and deliver Karma through heavy fines and sentences.
This open trade in scamming good people has gone on too long, and the bad guys need sorting once and for all.
