Fake Foreign Driver Licences Are Causing BIG Trouble in England - Will they be a problem here soon?

November 06, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Fake foreign driving licences and the fraud risk in personal injury claims is a topic that has drawn attention in the UK, but the underlying concerns resonate strongly in Canada as well. A recent UK report highlighted how counterfeit licences can be used to bolster fraudulent automobile injury claims, challenging insurers, lawyers, and the courts to verify driver identity and eligibility. In a Canadian context, where auto insurance regimes differ by province and the path from accident to compensation can involve no‑fault benefits, tort claims, or a blend of both, robust licence verification is a critical safeguard for the integrity of claims and the safety of the system as a whole.

Why licence verification matters in Canadian personal injury claims

At its core, a personal injury claim following a motor vehicle collision rests on establishing fault, liability, and the injury’s impact. A driver who presents a valid licence is assumed to have the legal authority to operate the vehicle, and a claimant’s credibility hinges, in part, on the accuracy of the driver’s licensing status. When counterfeit or misrepresented licences come into play, questions multiply: who was actually behind the wheel, was the licence valid at the time of the collision, and could the driver have legally operated the vehicle? For insurers, this is not merely a clerical concern; it affects fault assessment, entitlement to benefits under no-fault schemes, and potential recourse if fraud is established.

Canada’s provincial landscape complicates the picture, but the underlying principle remains the same: licensing authenticity is a material fact in many auto claims. Ontario’s insurance framework, with no‑fault accident benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and the potential for limited tort claims, relies on accurate driver information to determine eligibility and assess recoveries. In provinces with fault-based or hybrid systems—such as British Columbia, Alberta, or Quebec—the question of who was driving and whether the driver was legally licensed can influence both liability determinations and the scope of recoverable damages. Fraud detection and prevention, including licence verification, thus sit at the intersection of consumer protection, financial integrity, and public safety.

How insurers and lawyers respond in Canada

Insurers in Canada routinely employ claims investigations and fraud controls, including Special Investigation Units (SIUs) in many provinces, to scrutinise suspicious claims. Licence verification is a foundational step in this process. Practical measures include:

- Verifying licensing status with the appropriate provincial authority (e.g., Ministry of Transportation in Ontario, SAAQ in Quebec, ICBC in British Columbia) and cross‑checking licence numbers, expiry dates, and driving privileges.
- Checking for discrepancies between the claimant’s statements, police reports, and licence details, and reviewing any history of suspensions or revocations that could affect driving eligibility.
- Employing identity and document verification tools, and, where warranted, seeking corroborating records (e.g., driving history or licence status) through formal channels.

For personal injury lawyers, the risk of fake licences reinforces the need for early, thorough fact‑finding:

- Confirm the licensing status of drivers involved and the authority to operate the vehicle at the time of the collision.- Obtain and scrutinise documents with care, including police reports, vehicle rental or lease records, and any licensing verification obtained by the insurer.- Be prepared to address conflicts in licensing information, and be ready to defend credibility or challenge it when there is credible evidence of misrepresentation.

Potential consequences of licence fraud in Canada

If licence fraud is suspected or proven, the consequences can be significant. Civil remedies may include denying or reducing benefits, pursuing subrogation against a fraudulent claimant, or terminating a claim. Criminal consequences could arise under fraud provisions of the Criminal Code, depending on the nature and extent of misrepresentation.

Policy implications and forward‑looking ideas

The UK discussion underscores a broader challenge: as mobility and cross‑border travel increase, so do opportunities for licence‑related fraud. In Canada, this points to several policy and practice directions:
- Strengthening inter‑provincial licence validation: improving data‑sharing mechanisms among provincial licensing authorities while respecting privacy laws.
- Advancing digital licensing and identity verification: exploring secure, privacy‑preserving digital credentials that can be verified in real time by insurers and health providers.
- Harmonising fraud prevention standards: developing common guidelines for claims handling, verification, and fraud reporting to reduce opportunities for misrepresentation.
- Enhancing public awareness: educating drivers and claimants about the legal consequences of licence fraud and the importance of truthful information in claims.

Bottom line

The core takeaway from the UK discussion about fake foreign driving licences is a reminder that credible drivers, accurate licensing data, and rigorous verification are essential to the integrity of Canada’s auto insurance system. For claimants, accuracy and honesty remain imperative. For insurers and lawyers, robust licence verification is not negotiable—it’s a key line of defence against fraud, a protector of legitimate claimants, and a safeguard for the public at large. If you’re navigating a Canadian auto claim, consider proactively addressing licence status early in the process and consult local counsel if you encounter suspicious or inconsistent licensing information.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.