Police stop leads to arrest of Wigan learner driver mid-test

A 26-year-old learner driver from Wigan has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving after being stopped by police in the middle of his driving test.

Officers on patrol in King Street, St Helens, pulled the vehicle over at around 5pm on Sunday 1 March after noticing a faulty brake light.

When they approached the car, officers reported smelling cannabis. The driver subsequently failed a roadside drugs test and was also found to be in possession of cannabis.

The man, who is from Wigan and had been taking his driving test in St Helens, was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and taken into police custody. He has since been released under investigation.

Roads Policing Inspector Simon 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.

“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.”