A woman posing as a licensed driving instructor has been found guilty of fraud after she illegally took thousands of pounds from learners for driving lessons.
Joanne Sharples, 40, promoted herself online as a patient and understanding driving instructor, booking lessons in Manchester, Warrington, and nearby areas. However, she kept charging learners for lessons after her trainee licence ran out, when she was no longer legally allowed to teach.
How Joanne Sharples defrauded learner drivers
Sharples began as a legal trainee instructor and bought a dual-control car for her lessons. Her trainee licence ended in February 2024, yet she continued teaching for another nine months, taking payments from learners who were completely unaware that she was no longer authorised to charge them for lessons.
Sharples admitted to fraud by false representation for the lessons she gave between February and November 2024. The investigation found that six learners lost £6,464 in total, with each learner losing between £668 and £1,300. Prosecutors called it a serious abuse of trust over a long period.
The court also heard that Sharples had had no previous legal issues and felt deep remorse, struggling with anxiety and isolation after being discovered. In the end, neither the instructor nor her pupils came out well from the situation.
The legal risks of taking lessons from an unqualified instructor
Most of Sharples’ earlier lessons were legal because she was teaching on her trainee licence; what she should not have done was charge for lessons after her licence expired.
Learners should always be aware that:
- DVSA-approved instructors are legally regulated and monitored to ensure their offer safe, quality teaching.
- Unqualified instructors can put learners and other road users at risk.
- It’s a criminal offence to take payment for lessons without being a licensed instructor or trainee, with prison sentences and fines for offenders.
For more information, see our guide on illegal driving instructors.
Protect yourself and book lessons safely
Choosing DVSA-approved driving instructors in Manchester and elsewhere is not just about staying within the law. It’s also about safety, trust, and feeling confident on the road.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
- When you are taking lessons, check that your instructor is displaying their badge in their car.
- Avoid instructors who ask for large upfront payments in cash.
- Always book lessons through a reputable driving school with trusted, fully licensed instructors, like those at driveJohnson’s.
At driveJohnson’s, our driving instructors in Warrington, Manchester, and across the country are thoroughly vetted to ensure that they are professional, skilled, and legally qualified to teach. If you’re just starting out or want to keep learning safely, you can book your lessons with us today.
Final thoughts on Joanne Sharples
Sharples’ conviction ends her short teaching career. The situation left both her and her learners worse off, reinforcing why checking an instructor’s credentials is a simple but important way to stay safe on the road.
Choosing a DVSA-approved instructor isn’t just about following the law but also about ensuring you have a safe learning journey. By taking the time to check your instructor, learners can avoid financial loss, reduce stress, and focus on building confident driving skills. At driveJohnson’s, our instructors are all licensed and experienced, so whether you are taking driving lessons in Edinburgh or Essex, you know you are in good hands with us.
