KoRoad tightens oversight of driver’s license exams to curb cheating

People wait to handle driver’s license renewals and related services at the Gangnam Driver's License Examination Office in Seoul, Dec. 29, 2025. Yonhap

The Road Traffic Authority (KoRoad) said Friday it had reviewed its test administration system and tightened supervision procedures to improve fairness and credibility, after a series of cheating cases was uncovered amid rising demand from foreign nationals seeking Korean driver’s licenses.

According to KoRoad, two cases of mobile phone cheating by foreign applicants were discovered and referred to police for investigation.

Under the Road Traffic Act, those found cheating may have their test results invalidated, face a two-year ban from retaking the exam and be subject to criminal penalties.

The agency announced that it will continue providing clear guidance to all applicants, including foreign nationals, to ensure they understand testing rules and obtain licenses through proper procedures.

It also plans to tighten oversight by deploying two proctors per exam, strengthening identification and fingerprint verification, requiring phones to be powered off and stored separately, and enhancing security camera monitoring at testing sites.

As the number of foreign residents rises, foreign applicants for driver’s license exams increased from about 67,000 in 2023 to roughly 73,000 in 2025 — an 8.96 percent jump.

“Driver’s license exams are administered under the same standards regardless of nationality, and cheating carries the same penalties under the law,” said Woo Sang-tae, head of KoRoad’s licensing examination division.