Impersonators who sit driving tests for others were today issued a severe warning that their action's are being monitored and will result in prosecution with tougher sentencing by the courts.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) re inforced that message today following the custodial sentencing at Oxford Crown Court of Palwinder Singh Johal.

Judge Anthony King sentenced Johal, who was charged with attempting to obtain property by deception and further counts of fraud by abuse of position, to two years imprisonment and a recommended deportation notice upon completion of his sentence.

The property referred to in the charges that Johal (24) of Slough faced were driving licences falsely obtained through impersonating others at driving test centres.

The DSA has warned that it is committed to the prosecution of offenders in order to preserve public safety and the integrity of the driving test procedure.

As well as a driving qualification, many people seek possession of a full U.K Driving Licence to establish proof of their identity to gain other identity documents and a credit standing within this country.

The DSA investigates all reported cases and works closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and bring them to justice.

Andrew Rice, Head of Fraud & Integrity for the Driving Standards Agency said: 'Tackling impersonations is a key priority for the Agency as failing to identify offenders presents a significant danger to road safety. Through fraudulent and criminal means, impersonators gain entitlement to drive for those who are unable or unwilling to undertake the assessment to prove that they meet the required standard to drive on our roads.

'In this case Mr Johal undermined the driving test system, public safety and created a useful tool for ID Fraud. The Agency is very pleased that the judge sent a message to others when he said that anyone engaging in this activity should expect a Prison Sentence.'