Learner driver arrested for drug driving during test

A learner driver has been arrested for drug driving in the middle of his driving test.

The 26-year-old was pulled over by police at 5pm on Sunday in St Helens near Liverpool, after officers spotted a faulty brake light.

Merseyside Police allege officers could smell cannabis when speaking to the driver, who then failed a drug test.

He was also found to have cannabis on him, police said. The man, from Wigan, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving but has since been released under investigation.

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."

The Merseyside Police Roads Policing Unit said the vehicle was returned to the man's mother at the testing centre, who was "shocked to see a police officer step out instead of her son, leading to a very awkward conversation".

Officers also claimed police observed "poor driving" before pulling the learner over, in a post on social media platform X.

Insp Wilson said: "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."

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Insp Wilson said the force runs Operation Limit every year to "tackle drink and drug driving across the festive period".

"However, we are determined to improve road safety all year round and work continues to crackdown on selfish drivers who pose a risk to themselves and others," he said.

"Our stance on illegal substances is clear: nobody should be taking them. "But even if you choose to break the law and take illegal drugs, that does not give you the right to endanger the lives of innocent people on the roads who have no way of knowing you are driving intoxicated."

(c) Sky News 2026: Learner driver arrested for drug driving during test