Safe Speed Forums

Learner driver sent stand-in to sit theory test after failing it 18 times
By Matt Lloyd 4 Nov 2013 10:05

Ali Mohammed escaped a jail sentence, after court heard it was not the first time the dad-of-one had sent an impostor to sit the exam for him
Staff uncovered the ruse when they examined Ali Mohammed’s provisional licence Staff uncovered the ruse when they examined Ali Mohammed’s provisional licence

A learner driver sent a ringer to sit his driving theory test – after fluffing the exam a staggering 18 times.
But eagle-eyed staff at the Driving Standards Association uncovered the ruse when they examined Ali Mohammed’s provisional licence before his 19th attempt.
Incredibly, it’s not the first time the Turkish dad-of-one had sent a stand-in to take his test.

Birmingham Crown Court heard he attempted to pass the test using a double in Stoke in 2007.
This time, the 26-year-old, from Bacchus Road, from Winson Green, Birmingham, admitted fraud after initially telling police his provisional licence and debit card had been stolen.
The court handed Mohammed, the boss of a car valeting business, a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 200 hours’ community work and pay £560 costs.

Recorder Edward Coke told him: “It is with hesitation I do not send you (to prison). It is very serious because a full driving licence is a valuable document.
“Without the theory, members of the public could be maimed or killed because of an ignorance of the theory of driving.”

Rhydian James, prosecuting, said Mohammed attempted the theory test, legitimately, 18 times.

He told the court: “The defendant is the holder of a provisional licence. (He) had 18 theory tests spanning several years.
“The test was booked online using a debit card in the name of the defendant.
“A man impersonating the defendant attended that day, produced the defendant’s provisional licence and signed an electronic strip.
“He was refused entry because he did not fit with the licence photograph.”

Nigel Stelling, defending, said Mohammed had acted out of desperation to make it easier to operate his car valeting business.
He said: “He has tried and tried and tried again to get his licence legitimately. He is a family man with commitments to a partner and a child. He has resolved to sort his life out and has set up a business.”

had a guy in my factory in Rochdale who tried to send his brother into work in his place because he had been working all night on the taxies and was tired