Car rentals have sparked a driving craze among young people and women in Pyongyang—and now North Korean authorities are scrambling to crack down on the corruption that’s made getting a license as easy as knowing the right person or paying the right bribe.
A source in the country reported recently that corruption was quietly widespread in the licensing process—including bribes and using connections with officials—but authorities have recently begun emphasizing strict oversight and rule-following.
While the official cost of a driver’s license ranges from 8,000 to 25,000 North Korean won depending on the license category, additional expenses keep piling up for meals, transportation, and gas. Children from wealthy, well-connected families sometimes even get licenses without taking any test at all.
But since May, driving schools have been installing cameras at test sites to prevent cheating, and test proctors are now rotated between regions to increase transparency.
“It’s become much harder to issue illegal licenses in Pyongyang because when there’s an accident in the capital, authorities trace back to whoever issued the license and punish them,” the source explained.
North Korean authorities view it as a serious security risk for drivers who obtained licenses through bribes or corruption to be sharing the roads with Kim Jong Un’s motorcade.
“Getting a license through bribes or connections in Pyongyang could potentially ‘threaten the leader’s safety,'” the source said. “They basically see unqualified drivers as a threat to the supreme leader himself.”
Digital surveillance system in development
Authorities are now discussing several reforms: unifying or simplifying license categories, shortening training periods, switching to electronic registration, building an integrated digital network, and installing smart surveillance equipment and cameras.
This suggests they’re moving toward an integrated system that would manage all license holders and vehicle information, along with surveillance to prevent forged licenses and illegal driving. They’re also looking at China’s advanced traffic management system for ideas on building their own North Korean-style system.
These changes point to a shift toward digital surveillance.
“While the integrated digital network officially aims to improve traffic management and administrative efficiency, it’s really a strategic move to tighten public control,” the source noted. “With more young people renting cars and women expressing interest in driving, authorities clearly want to manage this trend to some degree.”
North Korean authorities are also developing specialized licenses for electric cars and motorcycles. Unlike traditional gas vehicle licenses, the new training and testing standards will cover battery safety, charging protocols, and emergency discharge procedures.
