Number of driving lesson and test scams surges in 2025

As learner drivers face high demand for lessons and long waits for tests, criminals are seeking to take advantage.

In the last year, Lloyds has seen a 240% increase in reports of driving lesson and test scams, so learners need to be vigilant.

What tactics are fraudsters using?

Scammers often target people by posting fake adverts on social media, which present attractive offers like discounted driving lessons.

Some, meanwhile, make false claims that they’re linked with reputable driving schools.

Fraudsters are also using WhatsApp to trick learner drivers into paying for non-existent lessons upfront.

And when the victim arrives at the lesson and finds an instructor isn’t there waiting for them, they’re then blocked. 

Other fake ads target people who are waiting to book their driving test, promising guarantees of specific or early test slots.

But when the learner driver turns up at the test centre, they find out that no such booking exists.

“With high demand for lessons and long waits for tests, people became more vulnerable to falling for fake posts on social media,” said Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds.

“Always use a reputable instructor and be wary of adverts on social media that are suspiciously cheap, or pressure selling with time-limited offers.” 

Stay safe online

For tips on how to stay safe from fraudsters, read our blog on how to spot a scam and check out our guide on outsmarting online scammers.

Remember that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
 
So always stop to think before sharing information, clicking on links or responding to any messages - and don’t let yourself be pressured into making a quick decision.

Genuine, legitimate organisations won’t try to panic or rush you, and they’ll always give you a chance to say no.