A LOCAL driving instructor has joined the furore over identification for the new written driving test.

John Higham, who runs a driving school from his home in Blackburn Road, Bolton, believes the new "photograph idea" is open to widespread abuse.

Mr Higham was approached by a test candidate who asked him to verify a photograph of himself, to be used for the written examination.

Verified photographs have to be taken to the examination and were brought in to prevent experienced drivers taking the test for less experienced friends or relatives.

"He wanted to use my car for the driving test and asked me to sign a photograph of him," said Mr Higham.

"I had only known him for an hour but it was perfectly legal for me to sign the photograph.

"I didn't know him. He might not have been the person he said he was, how could I know?"

Mr Higham, 32, said he had a telephone call from another person "asking for me to do the same again."

He said: "I wouldn't do it. This system is not good enough."

Everyone entering the test has to take their provisional licence and a photograph signed by a professional person, or a specified document with their photograph and signature on it.

Mr Higham, who has been a driving instructor for 10 years, is not the only person to fault the new identification scheme.

There have been angry scenes at the Bolton Theory Test Centre in Churchgate since the ruling was introduced last month.

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