Bolton man no longer wants to drive due to black market

A learner driver says he was “shocked” to discover what he called a “black market inside the system” he felt was preventing people from accessing test dates.

Mohammed Armaan, 26, has been trying to book a driving test since June – but said every week the slots released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) were being sold out immediately by bots.

Mr Armaan from Bolton said that tests were sold for “crazy amounts” – he added “I’m just I’m at a stage where I’m like I don’t want to drive I’m so mad.”

In a statement the DVSA said it was changing the driving test booking system to ensure that “it worked fairly for everyone and made it easier for genuine learners to book their test.”

It comes after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced plans last week to limit third parties from reselling slots.

The Transport Secretary’s announcement came after 38 MPs called on the government last month to take “the strongest possible action” on the issue of re-selling driving tests – claiming some third-party sellers were charging up to £500 for driving tests.

Mr Armaan said he had witnessed this first hand: “After waiting for months I was told that I could get a test through Facebook,” he said.

“When I researched I was shocked – there is a big market dealing with these tests and companies are charging £150 just to find you a test.

He said: “If you want something within a week, they’re asking crazy amounts like £400 or £500.”

“It’s basically a black market inside the system and people like me, who genuinely need to book a date, don’t get a fair chance” he said.

Mr Armaan said: “I was told by an instructor that the only way I could get an urgent test is if I bought this £500 – £600 package,” he said.

“It’s just insane and I’m just I’m at a stage where I’m like I don’t want to drive I’m so mad…it’s just not treating customers fairly,” he said.

He said individuals were profiteering by booking out slots, and scammers were seeking payment for test slots they did not have.

“There are genuine Facebook groups where real people offer swaps, but I get so many messages saying ‘if you need a test, just let me know, I could give it to you at this price’ and I’m like, ‘no he’s just he’s just playing with me'”.

“I would say there are about 16 to 18 messages like that right now in my inbox… I’m quite smart with sensing who is a scammer.”

Mr Armaan said: “It is a massive massive inconvenience because mum has severe arthritis.

“She cannot really walk long distances, it massively affects the whole family.

“Public transport sometimes takes ages, and with my mum’s condition we now need to rely on taxis.”

Driving instructors have told BBC Radio Manchester that learners were waiting more than five months for test slots – leading some having to put lessons on hold for months.

Trevor Hall, a driving instructor from Mottram said: “They literally sell off tests.

“I can’t get my head around it.”

Mr Hall said there was a “massive backlog” that he said was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that was causing “real problems”.

“Covid put us back about six months at least – and since then all these bots have got on and started booking up all the tests that are available.

“Then then they sell them off at inflated prices – it’s crazy.”

“But if people are desperate, they’re desperate,” he added.

He said new legislation would help solve the issue.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “DVSA is taking decisive action to reduce driving test waiting times by making more tests available. We carried out just over 14,400 more tests in October 2025, compared to October 2024.

“Following our recent consultation, we’re also changing the driving test booking system to help make sure that it works fairly for everyone and make it easier for genuine learners to book their test.”

“While there’s still a long way to go, we’re steadfastly committed to helping drivers ditch their L plates as soon as they’re ready.”