Man Finally Passes Driving Theory Test After 139 Attempts Over 9 Years

A man in Tarnów has finally passed his driving theory test—but only after an incredible 139 attempts spread across nine years.

According to reports, the determined candidate succeeded at the Małopolska Road Traffic Centre, ending a long and costly journey that saw him repeatedly return to the exam room without giving up.

Years of Attempts and Hundreds Spent

In Poland, anyone hoping to get a driver’s license must first pass a computer-based theory test before moving on to the practical driving exam.

The theory test costs 56 zloty (around €13) each time, and after 139 attempts, the man is believed to have spent roughly €1,800 just on this stage alone.

Despite the repeated failures, officials said the man stayed committed throughout the years.

“This person did not give up taking the exam. It shows that the driving license is very important for him,” said Paweł Gurgul, director of the Tarnów testing centre.

What Finally Helped Him Pass

According to the centre’s director, one key reason behind the man’s earlier struggles was his preparation method.

He had been using a demo version of the practice tests, which did not include all the possible questions that could appear in the real exam.

Once he switched to the full version of the preparation program, his scores gradually improved. He began missing fewer points over time—until he finally achieved a passing result.

Not the Highest Record

While 139 attempts sounds unbelievable, it’s not even the national record in Poland.

Reports suggest another learner from Piotrków Trybunalski needed 163 attempts over 17 years to pass the same theory test.

Officials at the Tarnów centre also noted that repeated attempts are not unusual. Some candidates have taken dozens of tries to pass practical driving exams, with one person attempting it 58 times and still continuing.

Under Polish law, there is no limit on how many times someone can retake either the theory or practical driving test.