This 69-Year-Old Woman Failed Her Driving Test 959 Times and Finally Passed
Most driving stories end quickly. A few lessons, a test date, maybe a second try if nerves get in the way. Cha Sa-Soon’s followed a very different path. She kept returning to the test center year after year, long after the process stopped being convenient or expected. When she finally passed at age 69, the number attached to her effort surprised people around the world. She had failed the driving test 959 times before getting her license.
A Journey Driven by Daily Life
Cha Sa-Soon lived in a small, mountainous village in South Korea where reliable public transportation was scarce. She made a living selling homegrown vegetables, a job that required traveling distances that buses and shared transport could not easily support. Learning to drive offered her greater independence and made her work more manageable.
She began taking South Korea’s written driving theory test in April 2005. Already in her 60s, she committed herself to mastering an exam that many people half her age struggle to pass.
Relentless Commitment to the Test
For three consecutive years, Cha took the written test five days a week. Each attempt required another fee, another round of studying, and another visit to the testing center. When the financial and physical strain became heavier, she adjusted her routine and continued taking the exam twice a week instead.
Over time, the attempts added up. She failed the test 959 times before passing on her 960th try. Estimates place her total testing costs between $4,200 USD and $13,700 USD, depending on how expenses are calculated across the years.
Rather than viewing the experience as punishment, Cha described it as similar to attending school. Each test day was another opportunity to learn and improve.
Passing at 69 Years Old
In 2010, Cha passed the written exam at age 69. She then moved on to the practical portion of the licensing process. Compared to the theory exam, the road and skills tests came more quickly. She failed those 10 times before successfully earning her full driver’s license in May 2010.
Instructors at the Jeonbuk Driving School later recalled the moment as emotional for everyone involved. They celebrated her success together, offering hugs and flowers after years of watching her return again and again.
News of Cha’s achievement spread rapidly throughout South Korea and beyond. Her perseverance resonated with people facing their own long-term challenges. She became a symbol of endurance and resilience.
Hyundai recognized the impact of her story and gifted her a new car valued at approximately $16,800 USD. She also appeared in a television commercial for the company. Guinness World Records officially acknowledged her for taking the most driving theory tests in history.
Persistence as the Defining Factor
More than a decade later, Cha Sa-Soon’s journey continues to inspire. She wanted to drive so she could continue working, support herself, and spend time with her grandchildren, including simple outings like trips to the zoo. That motivation sustained her through years of effort and disappointment.
Now in her 80s, Cha earned her license years ago, but the message behind her achievement remains powerful: Progress does not follow a fixed timeline.