California is ordering thousands of driver’s license holders to retake tests demonstrating knowledge of the rules of the road after irregularities were discovered on the results of those exams, state officials said.
The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles did not elaborate on the nature of the discrepancies, which it said affected about 11,000 Californians. More than 35 million people have driver’s licenses or identification cards issued by the state.
Those affected will have 30 days to return to a D.M.V. office to retake the exams. People who don’t could have their licenses canceled, the agency said.
“Ensuring the integrity of our testing process is essential,” the agency said in a statement. “Knowledge tests play a critical role in confirming that drivers understand the rules of the road before they are licensed to drive in California.”
State officials did not answer questions about whether the irregularities were connected to cheating on what is colloquially known as the “written test,” which can be taken in certain cases on a computer, phone or tablet device.
In California, knowledge tests are required for first-time drivers and new residents, along with those who have poor driving records and are renewing their licenses. Applicants get three attempts to pass the multiple choice tests.
In 2024, California ended its knowledge-test requirement for most people 70 and older when renewing licenses. Tests are still required for older license holders who have traffic violations, repeated accidents or suspensions for driving under the influence of alcohol or a combination of alcohol and drugs.
It is the second time in less than a year that Californians have experienced problems with driver’s licenses and ID cards issued by the state.
In late December, the Department of Motor Vehicles announced that 325,000 Real ID holders needed to replace them because of a software error that affected how expiration dates were applied to some of the identification cards.
The glitch could have rendered some identification cards, which were issued to authorized immigrants, valid beyond the end of their legal stay in the United States, according to the state. Officials attributed the problem to outdated computer software.
Under regulations that took effect last year, Real IDs are required to board domestic flights in the United States. Passports and other government-recognized documents that are Real ID-compliant are also accepted.
