29/10/2003

DSA to clamp down on driver licence fraud

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is introducing new ways of reducing driving licence fraud at theory and practical driving tests to prevent drivers from taking to the roads illegally.

DSA's more rigorous check of photocard driving licences involves closer inspection of the in-built security features that are present in licences.

DSA, Operations Director, Brian Gilhooley said: "There is evidence that fraudsters are targeting the photocard driving licence by producing realistic fake licences. We do all we can to ensure that the candidate taking the test is the right person.

"More rigorous checking of photocard licences will aid our fight against fraudsters attempting to obtain driving licences illegally."

Each year DSA identifies a small number of suspected impersonations at the driving test, linked with attempts to obtain a driving licence fraudulently. The new measures will help to ensure that only those drivers who have demonstrated their competence to drive will receive the appropriate driving licences.

The DSA employs 2,178 staff, of which some 1,462 are driving examiners. In 2002/03 the Agency conducted 1.4 million tests for car drivers, over 72,000 vocational tests and over 86,000 motorcycle rider tests.

(gmcg)

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