California DMV orders 11,000 drivers to retake exam

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has ordered more than 11,000 drivers to retake their written knowledge exams after an internal review uncovered patterns suggesting widespread cheating. The agency began sending notices to affected drivers in recent weeks, demanding they pass a new test within 30 days or face license cancellation.

Officials said a routine internal audit of written test results from July 2025 through April 2026 identified irregularities that raised concerns about attempts to circumvent the testing process. DMV spokesperson Jonathan Groveman stated that the discrepancies are not related to any technical errors or issues with the test itself, but indicated some individuals may have used various cheating methods. The agency has not specified how the alleged cheating was carried out, citing an ongoing investigation, and declined to say whether the online or in-person version of the test was involved.

Groveman emphasized that receiving a notice does not constitute a final determination of cheating, only that a driver’s test results were flagged as potentially problematic. However, the agency has adopted a firm stance, requiring all notified individuals to...