FOUR learner drivers who paid another man to sit their theory exams were jailed as a judge issued a warning to others about the scam.

The impersonator is still at large, but Kayfee Hameed, Sami Hamadok, Agar Hamid and Ahmed Omar are behind bars.

Hameed and Hamadok, from Middlesbrough, were jailed for six months, while Omar. Hamid, the youngest, was jailed for four months.

Judge Peter Bowers said at Teesside Crown Court: “It is suspected that far more of this impersonation goes on than is detected.

“A deterrent sentence is essential.

You all have considerable mitigation, but it is important that others learn not to commit this sort of offence.

“Impersonating someone taking a driving test is serious. It allows you to drive on the roads without an adequate knowledge of road safety.”

Defence barristers told Judge Bowers that the four men did not realise they were committing a serious offence at the time, but do now.

The court heard that Hamadok paid the man to stand in for him during tests in Middlesbrough and in Doncaster in September 2009.

The Teesside attempt was thwarted by an official who noticed differences between the candidate’s and Hamadok’s documents.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said that the impostor passed the test in Doncaster, which allowed Hamadok to sit his driving test, but he failed.

The court heard that the 36- year-old’s credit card was used to book theory tests in the names of Hameed, 35, and Hamid, 20.

The same impersonator passed the exam in Harrogate for Hamid and in Grimsby, for Omar, 30, without any suspicions being raised.

When he tried the same for Hameed in Middlesbrough, the same official challenged him because his description did not match Hameed’s.

Robin Turton, for Hamadok, of Percy Street, Middlesbrough, said he made unprompted admissions to police and helped as much as he could.

Brian Mark, for former factory worker Hameed, of Meath Street, Middlesbrough, said he was desperate to be able to drive.

Rachel Dyson said Omar, of Eaton Close, Bristol, struggled to find work in the UK and thought it would be easier if he had a driving licence.

Elyas Patel, for Hamid, a part-time restaurant cashier, of Spalding Towers, Leeds, said he was deeply ashamed of what he had done.

He said he committed the offence out of a wish to contribute to society, but had been lulled into the lair of an unscrupulous individual.

The court heard that the four men, who admitted conspiracy to commit fraud, paid £400 to £500 to the impersonator.

A spokesman for the Driving Standards Agency said: “Driving test impersonation is a serious offence, which puts law abiding road-users at risk.

“We investigate all suspected incidents and work closely with the police to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Most of us take for granted that the rules of the road have always been there, but you may be surprised to find that many laws and regulations were only introduced in the last 100 years.

The first huge change for drivers was when the driving test was introduced in 1934. At the same time the 30mph speed limit was established for towns and villages.

The MOT was introduced in 1960.

It wasn’t until 1965 that the 70mph national speed limit was introduced, with the breathalyser test following shortly after in 1967.

In 1969 a separate driving licence group for automatic vehicles was introduced.

1990 saw examiners give candidates a brief explanation of faults committed during the test.

The pass plus scheme was an initiative introduced in 1995.

The year 2000 saw pupils able to complete the theory test via touch screen.

2002 saw talking on a mobile illegal whilst driving and also a change to the theory test, with the newly formed hazard perception component.

2010 was the year independent driving was introduced to all practical driving tests.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “It is interesting to see how the driving test and driving regulations have advanced over the years. One fact that shocked me was – that on average a driver spends two weeks of their entire lives waiting for traffic lights to change.”

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Motorway training should be integrated into the driving test to help improve the general standard of driving, according to the Driving Instructors Association which also wants the current Pass Plus scheme integrated into the driving test syllabus.

The DIA is the UK’s largest body representing professional driver trainers and says those applying for a driving test should only be allowed to do so once instructors are confident that candidates have sufficient experience of driving on all the types of road they will encounter when they have a full licence.

The association also wants driving qualifications for qualified drivers need to be developed further. So drivers of company vehicles would have to achieve minimum national occupational standards for driving (currently there is no recognised syllabus for company drivers in category B vehicles). It says the qualifications should also have a shelf life to encourage refresher training.

Another issue that that the DIA wants addressed is the current lack of a formal training syllabus for potential Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) to work to. The DIA’s belief is that there should be a prescribed syllabus to prevent customers wasting their money. The minimum entry level to the industry should also be raised to include recognised teaching qualifications (e.g. Preparing to Teach in the Life-long Learning Sector).

The final change proposed is that all drivers should have their eyesight tested by an optometrist, not at the driving test centre, with drivers’ eyesight checked at least every 10 years. Currently, the responsibility is with the driver to self-certify their eyesight has not deteriorated after the age of 70.

The chairman of the motoring group McLaren has lost of his driving licence and been banned from driving for six months.

Ron Dennis was given 3 points when he ran a red light earlier this month and with 9 points already on his licence from previous speeding offences he was automatically given a ban.

Mr Dennis claims that he jumped the red light as he felt stopping suddenly may have gone on to cause a crash.

He pleaded with the courts, after hearing of his ban telling them that he really needs his licence as he works long hours and spends time with his children over the weekend. However, they ignored his pleas and along with the ban ordered him to pay a fine of £350 and court fees.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “No matter who you are or what your reasons may be, the highway code is in place for a reason. Points on our licence allows us as humans to make an occasional error, but after acquiring 12 points you must suffer the consequences.”

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Driving without a licence doesn’t simply mean not having a licence but can include driving on a provisional without being supervised or not notifying the DVLA of a change in health or a disability, which could mean being refused on medical grounds.

The penalty for driving without a licence can include 3-6 points and a fine of up to £1000. Not to mention the guilt you would have to live with if you were involved in an accident.

Driving whilst disqualified is considered to be just as serious as those who have been disqualified have normally been caught driving inappropriately in some manner.

If caught driving whilst disqualified, you can receive up to 6 penalty points, up to £5000 in fines and some courts will issue a prison sentence.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “Ensure if you’re on a provisional licence, you drive only whilst supervised by somebody over the age of 21 and who has been driving for three years or more. If your medical history changes, be sure to inform the DVLA and if you have been disqualified refrain from driving altogether.”

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From Hollywood actors to Boris Johnson, a host of well-known figures have been raising the profile of electric vehicles. So why are these cars fast becoming the latest celebrity ‘must have’?

At last month’s Academy Awards ceremony in the US, a number of actors chose to arrive at the red carpet in electric vehicles rather than the traditional stretched limousine, continuing a trend that began a few years ago when the environmental organisation Global Green USA launched its Red Carpet/Green Cars campaign. Now, many Hollywood actors, such as George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, are regularly seen driving electric cars.

So why are electric vehicles the latest celebrity must-have? According to Henry Mason, head of research and analysis at trendwatching.com, it’s all part of the diversification of the “statusphere” taking place in mature consumer societies. “Status isn’t just about having the biggest, fastest or most expensive, it can be about generosity or social connections or, as here, eco-credentials,” says Mason. “In other words, celebrities are making the ultimate statement: yes, they can afford the shiny sportscar, but choosing to drive an electric car displays their eco-awareness, their intelligence and empathy – things that can’t just be bought.”

Such high-profile backing should provide the industry with a much-needed boon at a time when many models are coming on to the market.

So, which other high-profile figures have been bitten by the electric bug?

Quentin Willson, motoring expert and former Top Gear presenter

Recently I drove a Mitsubishi i-MiEV for a year on trial but had to give it back once it was over – now there’s a large hole in my life where an electric car used to be.

The children loved it too. Every morning on the school run the three of them would say, “Daddy, take the electric car!” My six year old used to show it to her friends and say, “this is the car that helps the grass grow”.

The silence is a new sensation – and the speed. I like listening to the whistling of the wheels and air, just savouring the silence.

I could do about 100 miles for £1.20, with no queuing at petrol stations or worrying about the cost of fuel. You can charge it in your garage overnight and then you’re free to go. At the end of the day you charge your laptop, mobile phone and electric car – it just becomes part of your charging routine.

But the greatest thing is the promise of an oil-free future. If we can wean ourselves off fossil fuels without compromising the cost of living or horrendous interest rates, that will be amazing.

Ben Collins, Top Gear’s The Stig

I’ve test-driven quite a few of the new electric road cars such as the Tesla Roadster, which is in the super-car category of electric vehicle. Taking them round a racetrack is what I love doing most, because you’re able to test the performance to the absolute maximum.

Electric cars are a new technology and they’re developing very fast in areas such as battery capacity. The acceleration is really something because the torque of the electric motor means you get instant power from any speed; the initial acceleration is very potent.

The biggest advancements in the technology will come from motor racing. When I drove the Tesla for the second time, a year after they’d first brought it out, there were huge advances. The battery is very heavy but they’ve adjusted the car to improve the dynamic handling and the way the chassis supports that weight; the improvement in the space of a year was very impressive.

Development never occurs faster than when the advances are happening in racing because the competition demands quick advances. You’ve got things like the EV cup and Formula One with kinetic recovery [a form of hybrid technology]. The industry is really at the beginning and it needs as much support as it can get.

Lisa Rogers, broadcaster

I first came across electric vehicles on Scrapheap Challenge. To start with they were just seen as comedy value, something for Top Gear presenters to laugh at. But now they’re a serious alternative.

I borrowed a Tesla sports car last summer when it was really hot. Just driving it with the top down in London through Regent’s park and Primrose Hill was amazing.

I’ve driven virtually every car you can think of in the various car programmes I’ve done, and nothing can turn heads like the Tesla.

I could not live where I live without a car – there is no public transport, I live on the side of a bloody Welsh hill! I’m going to put up a wind turbine and then run an electric car off it – not a sports car though; something that can fit two children and a dog in the back.

Boris Johnson, mayor of London

My own conversion to electric cars came several years ago when I took out the Californian-made Tesla sports car. I found to my delight that it has same acceleration as a Porsche 911. But, the real marvel was that this car was producing no more noxious vapours than a dandelion in an alpine meadow.

We are staring the age of mainstream electric car use full the face. As we speak, a wider choice of, dare I say, desirable electric vehicles are silently manoeuvring into the forecourts of enlightened salesrooms across the UK.

In London we are gearing up to ensure they can be driven with ease, simplicity and convenience. From April we are launching Source London, to provide a network of easy-to-access charge points – 1,300 due in place by 2013. As the number of these exhaust-pipe-free vehicles accelerates, so we can deliver significant reductions in fumes.

While the upfront costs of the current crop of electric cars remains high, the lucky owner niftily avoids the cost of the staggeringly overpriced lagoon of fossil fuel required to drive a traditional model. And with a 100% discount on the congestion charge to boot, the reasons why London is becoming the electric car capital of Europe are clear.

Kele Baker, Strictly Come Dancing choreographer

I got my electric car six years ago. I commute in London and I work late into the evening so I want to be able to drive home at night.

I had a Nissan Micra, but wanted something smaller and more environmental. One day I saw a G Wiz parked on a road and I thought – that’s what I’ve been waiting for.

First and foremost I like the fact that it’s non-polluting. That’s most important to me. I can also drive without paying congestion charge, and Westminster council waives my parking fee, but those are just additional benefits. I like the fact that I can look after my needs – because of my job I need a car to carry equipment – but I can do it guilt-free.

My car has two forward settings, economy and full – I call them “go” and “turbo”. My little car puts a smile on my face. It’s cute and fun. I try to drive it as much as possible on economy because you get a longer battery charge. But sometimes I go on turbo and pretend it’s my little Porsche.

It draws a lot of smiles and curiosity from people. That’s something that I value because it shows people that the technology is available now, it’s not a pipe dream.

Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs presenter

Sitting in an electric car, you feel like you’re sitting in the 22nd century surrounded by gas-guzzling monsters. Other cars all seem so primitive in comparison.

We must move towards de-carbonisation and these cars offer us an opportunity to go in that direction – they give us an amazing chance to be effectively “off grid” and move towards a zero-carbon life.

My most memorable journey in an electric car was driving a TH!NK City on the Brighton to London eco rally – and I won!

I burnt up an Alpha Romeo at the lights in south London in this tiny, beautiful little lightweight car. It’s because it has fantastic torque and acceleration.

It looks like it should have an 800cc engine, it’s that small. It goes round the corner like a dream and has a really low centre of gravity. You can have more fun in a small electric car than you can in a higher priced sports car.

The car that interests me most at the moment is one that’s going to be launched at the Geneva Motor show – the Volvo hybrid electric car which does 136 miles to the gallon. I think a big part of the future is electric.

Northern Irelands Environment Minister Edwin Poot’s has announced new proposals the main one to raise the minimum driving age to 18 in order to reduce the death toll on Irelands roads.

Statistics show that between 2004 and 2008 drivers aged between 17 and 24 accounted for one in four road fatalities and one in five serious road injuries in Northern Ireland.
Considering less than a quarter of licence holders are in this age group, these statistics are shocking.

Mr Poot’s has said he will not sit back and ignore this matter and allow lives and families to be destroyed.

Other proposals being considered are:

Amending speed limits for learners

Allowing learner drivers experience on the motorway

Revise the practical test, to include skid training etc

Require learners to complete a minimum number of supervised driving lessons

The US, Canada and Australia already have similar schemes in place for young drivers and it is thought that if Northern Ireland obtains positive results, England may follow suit.

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Recently, my attention has been caught by a rather interesting debate that seems to have come out of nowhere (possibly hidden in the deluge of media coverage of the various Middle Eastern uprisings). After it emerged that the EU’s European Court of Justice (ECJ) had ruled against the legality of insurance companies to discriminate on the basis of gender, a veritable flotilla of articles about this issue seems to have been launched.

So here I am, jumping on the bandwagon. It is a fascinating issue: I don’t know about you, but I was certainly very conflicted about my views on it.

At first glance, the ruling seems like a welcome thing. Forget about hitting the ‘Go Compare’ man around the head with a bat: no more of those ‘Sheila’s Wheels’ women? …Great!

But annoying tunes aside and more seriously, I have always thought there was something very sexist about the lyrics in their jingle. ‘Women make for better drivers/You can save a bunch of fivers!’? I’ve always wondered what men think about this, but it gives me a deep sense of unease. This feeling increased even further when a recent BBC article described two twins, with the exact same driving record, paying different amounts for their car insurance on the basis of their gender. By banning this, the ECJ seems to have taken a very valuable step towards greater equality.

However, when I took a second glance – persuaded greatly by most of the article flotilla, who are largely on the attack – the complete opposite impression seems to jump out.

The argument is all to do with risk: at the end of the day, the fact remains that women do have fewer accidents on the whole, especially younger women compared to younger men. Common sense seems to dictate that because they are a lower risk to insurers, they should pay less money than men – forcing them to pay more whilst lowering men’s rates is just unfair because it isn’t their fault. At this stage of looking at the situation, it seems to be completely nonsensical and driven purely by an autonomous, idealistic effort to Promote Equality. ‘It’s PC gone mad!’ people have cried. Now for some reason, I become deeply cynical about the weight of an argument when people end up resorting to this statement.  I immediately took a third look at the issue.

At first, the concept of lower risk women having to subsidise higher risk men may seem unfair. But if you think about it, the men who drive well are subsidising the ones who are having the accidents as they are the ones raising the average risk for the whole group. They have to pay higher amounts because people who happen to be the same gender as them– the much cited ‘young studs’ with fast cars-are having accidents. It would surely be fairer to spread the cost around to women as well.

Considering this, discrimination doesn’t seem to be necessary. I’ve heard people say that this logic would mean that making people living people in houses in areas with a high flooding risk pay more in insurance is wrong: they haven’t seem to have thought about the fact that nobody forced you to buy houses in these places. You can’t help what gender you’re born as.

It’s a long shot, but maybe this forced equality will make companies start to relate their prices more closely to individual driving records, rather than on the basis of arbitrary groups. This would be the fairest way to do it.

Too hopeful? Probably, but it’s about time.

So my current view is that of (cautious) support for the principle of the ECJ’s decision about car insurance (despite probably having to pay more when I need to get car insurance myself in the future), but I’m not really sure if it would work the way everyone would hope.

Firstly, there are practical problems about how the ruling is carried out. Although I’m by no means an expert, the ruling will apparently increase uncertainty about risk margins so insurance companies need to increase the amount they take in to break even. They might also just take the chance as an excuse to raise some prices and not lower others in order to make a profit. Both of these would be detrimental to the consumer.

More worryingly, I’ve only been talking about car insurance: there are many other things the ruling would change. For example, at the moment men currently get higher annuities than women because they live longer on average. It isn’t really the same as it isn’t about small groups in this case: when all is said and done, there are some inherent differences between the sexes. It may be trivial in the light of promoting equality, but there may need to be some fine-tuning.

It is almost time for me to stop writing now: I’m not sure if everyone else is finding this topic as interesting as me. But perhaps the most fascinating questions about the ECJ ruling are the ones about the precedents it’s setting for the future for more directives from the EU about human rights (with the decision coming after the even more controversial rulings about prisoner’s voting rights) and about other discrimination issues.

How much power should we give the EU? Will this ruling prompt a debate about other forms of generally accepted discrimination (for good or bad), like age? These are examples of vast new topics that I won’t even attempt to discuss here.

Overall, it’s all very intriguing. I think it’s good that we are being made to consider important issues that have never really come to light before as a result of this (and other) rulings, but the most important thing is for people (the EU especially, but all of us) to consider everything fully.

It really is always necessary to give everything at least your first, second and then third glances.

Driving a vehicle requires an individual to not only be able to physically control the vehicle but to understand the dynamics and make informed decisions based on road and traffic conditions.

In order to drive in a safe way we must not only be able to navigate our way through traffic but to apply the rules of the road in order for all road users to be safe.

Avoiding distractions, being in a position to assess others and to handle your own car takes skill and most importantly practise.

Driving also requires a person to follow the laws of the road; by making sure the vehicle is safe, has a valid MOT, valid tax disc, valid insurance and is registered with the DVLA.

A driver must also take responsibility for holding a valid driving licence, be fit and healthy and wear glasses if needed.

Even if a driver is capable of all of the above, drivers must ensure they do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speed, park inappropriately, along with many other rules of the road that are in place.

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Those of us who braved the highways during the UK’s recent cold snap will know just what a challenge driving on snow and ice can be. It’s heartening, however, that even professional rally drivers find such conditions testing.

Instead of dealing with the white stuff by brewing up a flask of Java and making a mental note to buy a shovel, rally drivers adopt a rather more exciting technique for coping with grip deficiency – they powerslide.

The unique characteristics of snow as a rally stage surface demand an entirely different driving style. As rally cars have become ever more advanced, the lurid, power-sliding spectacle that defined the sport has gradually been replaced by a rather more sedate approach to cornering, rear wheels following in the fronts’ tracks for best grip and traction. Modern rally cars are capable of generating such grip that oversteer on asphalt or gravel is inefficient.

On snow and ice, though, this trendy new driving style is horribly slow. Its pre-eminent practitioner, seven-time world champion Sébastien Loeb, has just one snowy success among his record tally of 63 WRC wins. In such wintry circumstances, rally drivers need to come over all Scandinavian and loosen up.

Even with heavily studded snow tyres, a rally car can’t generate remotely similar levels of cornering bite on snow and ice. The front end just wants to push wide leading to a) time sapping understeer and , possibly, b) an accident.