A Dorset driving instructor has described the secondary market in driving tests as a “rip-off”.
Andy Guy, who works in Poole, told BUzz news that it upsets him to see people fall victim to the scam.
Scammers have been getting a hold of driving tests and charging more than double the cost to people desperate to pass.
Currently, the price of a driving test through the Government website is £65 for a weekday, but online tests have been going for more than £200.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, a backlog in driving tests has left a long waiting list. There is currently a 14-24 week wait in Dorset.
Andy said: “It upsets me to see genuine people get ripped off.
Andy feels that the current booking system is out of date and a lot of examiners are retiring from the DVLA which he feels could contribute to the long wait for a test.
“I don’t think it will ever go back to what it was before Covid.”
Andy is the founder of Poole Driving School which has operated for more than 20 years.
He added: “We are overwhelmed with inquiries for work as are most local instructors as the demand for lessons is going up.”
Sellers on the site Facebook Marketplace, have been advertising tests to be available for the next day and often have multiple tests for places up and down the country.
Lola Smith, a learner driver has said the cost of learning to drive is expensive and it is extremely hard to find a test. Lola has been looking for a driving test for six months but hasn’t been able to book one so far. The earliest available test she has found is for February next year.
The Bournemouth driving test centre closed in 2019, which has meant that learners have to travel to Poole, Dorchester or Southampton to take their tests.
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