“They need to do the hours to become better drivers,” he said.

“They are only fooling themselves, they cannot fake their driving test.”

The claim comes following a recent [Daily Telegraph] survey which revealed a quarter of learner drivers made false entries to achieve the required hours.

Mr Kidson says he has seen learner drivers present false log book entries at the RTA, but the entries are usually quite obvious.

Year 12 James Sheahan Catholic High School student Bridget Healey received her P-plates only last week, and while she admits clocking up 120 hours in a year was difficult she says there is no reason for learners to fake their hours.

“I drove to school every day, any long trips I drove, and basically anytime I was with my parents I drove,” she said.

“It is very easy to get tempted but once you do 120 hours by the law it’s an achievement.”

She added that the previous 50 hour requirement was not an adequate amount of time for learners to develop the confidence and skills needed on the roads, but extending it beyond the 120 hour requirement would be excessive.

While clocking up the hours usually takes a large amount of time out of parents’ schedules, parent of a learner driver Janine Caughlan says allowing hours to be forged is irresponsible.

“I think they will need 120 hours,” she said.

“I cannot believe they would do it, they are really putting their child at risk if they are not doing the hours.”