Key Points
- Drilon Hasaj, 30, from North London, sentenced to 12 months of community service and fined £1,563 for hiring an imposter to take his driving theory test.
- CCTV footage from the DVSA in Uxbridge caught Hasaj handing over his provisional licence to a stranger hired via Instagram.
- Hasaj admitted guilt in court after being prosecuted in August 2025.
- His solicitor, Ghulam Sohail, argued for exemption from community work, citing Hasaj’s lack of criminal inclination and early guilty plea.
- The court reduced his sentence to 15 rehabilitation activity days, considering his role as the family’s main breadwinner.
- Rising incidents of driving licence fraud are prompting new road safety measures and calls for harsher sentencing.
- Previous related case: Aaron Kumar from Leicester sentenced to nearly two years in prison for multiple counts of fraudulent theory tests.
What happened in the North London driving theory test fraud case?
As reported by the Highbury Magistrates’ Court, Drilon Hasaj, a 30-year-old resident of North London, was caught and sentenced for hiring an imposter to take his driving theory test. The court handed him a 12-month community service sentence and fined him £1,563 after CCTV footage recorded at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) test centre in Uxbridge revealed the criminal act.
The video evidence, highlighted by the DVSA’s counter fraud team, showed Hasaj handing over his provisional driving licence to an unidentified individual. This person had been hired through Instagram to impersonate Hasaj during the theory test, a requirement mandated by UK law before a driver can proceed to the practical test.
What exactly is the UK driving theory test and why is it important?
The driving theory test is a critical step in acquiring a full driver’s licence in the UK. It includes two components: a series of multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of road rules, and a hazard perception section evaluating the candidate’s ability to recognise dangerous situations on the road.
Passing this test is compulsory before learners can apply to take the practical driving test. Fraudulent activity such as impersonation undermines road safety by allowing unqualified individuals to bypass necessary learning and assessment.
How did Drilon Hasaj respond to the charges?
According to court documents presented in August 2025, Hasaj admitted to the fraud charges brought against him. He confessed to arranging the fraudulent breach “after exchanging a couple of messages” on Instagram with the imposter he hired.
His solicitor, Ghulam Sohail, argued in court that Hasaj generally lacked any criminal inclination and requested exemption from unpaid community work, citing Hasaj’s early guilty plea and the significant time—three years—that had passed since the offence occurred.
Why was Hasaj’s sentence reduced during the court proceedings?
Presiding Justice, along with other magistrates, underscored the seriousness of the offence but ultimately reduced Hasaj’s sentence. They took into account his position as the main breadwinner for his family, deciding against imposing the expected 150 hours of unpaid community work. Instead, Hasaj was ordered to complete only 15 rehabilitation activity days.
This sentencing decision has sparked discussion about the balance between punishment and individual circumstances in cases of driving related fraud and offences.
What is the broader context of driving licence fraud and road safety in the UK?
Driving licence fraud, including impersonation during theory tests, is increasingly prevalent. In parallel, road safety campaigners have expressed concern over lenient sentences for road crimes.
As noted by a 2023 Road Justice Report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW), many perpetrators of violent road crimes receive shockingly low sentences compared to the severity of their actions. The APPGCW advocates for closing the gap between the seriousness of offences and the consequences faced by offenders, aiming to enhance justice and safety for all road users.
Are there other recent cases of driving licence fraud similar to Hasaj’s?
Yes, driving licence fraud cases appear to be on the rise. For instance, the Intelligent Instructor reported that Aaron Kumar, from Cambridge Street, Leicester, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison after admitting to six counts of fraud by false representation. Kumar was charged after he took driving theory tests for other people, similarly to Hasaj’s case.
This growing pattern has prompted authorities and campaigners to push for stronger measures and improved detection methods at test centres nationwide.
