ASIAPRESS has obtained a photograph of a Class 2 automobile driver's license used in North Korea. A reporting partner photographed it and sent it by email. The Kim Jong-un regime recognized private vehicle ownership in 2025. The number of people trying to obtain licenses to make money as drivers is surging. We report on the latest situation on the ground. (JEON Sung-jun / KANG Ji-won)
◆What is North Korea's Driver's License System?
First, we'll explain North Korea's automobile driver's license system based on materials from South Korea's Ministry of Unification.
Licenses are divided into four grades according to the types of vehicles that can be driven and maintenance capabilities. The lowest, Class 4, allows driving passenger cars and trucks under 2.5 tons. Class 3 allows driving passenger cars, vans (buses) with 20 seats or less, and trucks under 5 tons, but one must wait at least one year after obtaining a Class 4 license to qualify for the exam.
To obtain a license, one must receive one year of education at a "Driver Training Center," one of which exists in each province. Students learn not only driving skills but also vehicle repair and maintenance.
Reporting Partner A, who lives in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, says Class 3 licenses are particularly popular recently. "Because you can drive vans and trucks up to 5 tons," they explain. There's high demand for drivers of large vehicles that transport people and goods.
◆Violations Result in Holes Punched in License; 5 Strikes and License is Revoked
The photograph ASIAPRESS obtained shows a Class 2 license. The types of vehicles that can be driven are listed as "passenger cars, trucks up to 30 tons, special vehicles, buses that can carry up to 150 people." According to our reporting partner, one can apply two years after obtaining a Class 3 license.
When a driver causes an accident or is caught for a traffic violation, a hole is punched in the section at the bottom of the license marked "Regulation Violations." Reporting Partner B from North Hamgyong Province explains as follows:
"When there are 5 traffic regulation violation holes, the license is immediately revoked. If caught driving with a revoked license, the vehicle is confiscated regardless of whether it's a company executive or anyone else."
The highest grade, Class 1, can only be obtained after getting a Class 2 license and having one's automobile design and manufacturing capabilities recognized. It can be obtained 3 years after getting a Class 2 license.
