Learner driver arrested during test for drug-driving

Officers initially stopped the vehicle for a defective brake light and poor driving NewsUKHome NewsLearner driver arrested during test for drug-drivingOfficers initially stopped the vehicle for a defective brake light and poor drivingShaheena Uddin Tuesday 03 March 2026 23:10 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverPolice confirm suspect arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs after Liverpool parade crashYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreA learner driver was stopped in the middle of their driving test and arrested for drug-driving, police say.Merseyside Police said patrol officers had initially stopped the vehicle after they spotted a defective brake light and poor driving.As the officers spoke to the driver, they could smell cannabis and so they conducted a drugs wipe test which he failed. The driving test was immediately terminated, the force added.The 26-year-old driver was also found to be in possession of cannabis and was arrested. He has since been released from police custody under investigation.The man, originally from Wigan, had been taking his driving test in St Helens and was spotted by patrol officers on King Street at around 5pm on Sunday. The 26-year-old driver was also found to be in possession of cannabis and was arrested as a result (Getty Images)Merseyside’s roads policing inspector Simon Wilson said: “Officers rightly pulled over the car after noticing that a brake light wasn’t working, which is dangerous not only for the occupants of the vehicle but also other road users. After speaking to the driver, it was clear that there was much more for officers to be concerned with and he was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.“Although some people may find the humour in the fact someone on a driving test was arrested, drug driving is no laughing matter. It is incredibly dangerous and selfish to get behind the wheel of a vehicle under the influence of drugs and it’s an offence we take seriously at Merseyside Police.”The force’s Roads Policing Unit said on social media platform X: “The vehicle was returned to the young man’s mother at the test centre, who was shocked to see a police officer step out instead of her son, leading to a very awkward conversation.”One X user asked how the driving examiner allowed the test to take place despite the defective brake light, to which the policing unit said: “It was an intermittent fault, present one moment and gone the next, so it’s entirely possible the checks were carried out during a period when the issue wasn’t showing.”Another user replied to the police’s statement on social media and said: “At least they will save on lessons for the next 18 months”. The Merseyside Roads Policing Unit responded “Ahhh they can use the money they save on lessons to pay off court costs and fines!! #Silverlinings”.Every year the police run ‘Operation Limit’ which is a nation-wide initiative which aims to tackle driving across the festive seasons. Merseyside police said they are determined to “improve road safety” and “crackdown on selfish drivers” all year round.The police force urges anyone who suspects someone to be driving under the influence to call 999 immediately or report them to 101 or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.More aboutdriverDrivingdriving testPolicedrug drivingCannabisMerseysideJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next