SEOUL - A WOMAN in South Korea who tried to pass the written exam for a driver's licence with near-daily attempts since April 2005 has finally succeeded on her 950th time.

The aspiring driver spent more than 5 million won (S$5,900) in application fees, but until now had failed to score the minimum 60 out of a possible 100 points needed to get behind the wheel for a driving test.

Ms Cha Sa Soon, 68, finally passed the written exam with a score of 60 on Wednesday, said Choi Young Chul, a police official at the drivers' licence agency in Jeonju, 210km south of Seoul.

Police said Ms Cha took the test hundreds of times, but had no specific total. Local media said she took the test 950 times.

Now she must pass a driving test before getting her license, Mr Choi said.

Repeated calls to Ms Cha seeking comment went unanswered. She told the Korea Times newspaper she needed the licence for her vegetable-selling business. -- AP