How long is the validity period of an A1 driving license? Can a lost A1 driving license be reissued?
How Long is the Validity of a Class A1 Driver's License?
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 17 Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, supplemented by Clause 3 Article 2 Circular 01/2021/TT-BGTVT, the regulation is as follows:
License Validity
1. Class A1, A2, A3 driver's licenses have no expiration date.
2. Class B1 driver's licenses are valid until the driver reaches 55 years of age for females and 60 years of age for males; in cases where the driver is over 45 years old for females and over 50 years old for males, the license issued is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.
3. Class A4, B2 driver's licenses are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.
4. Class C, D, E, FB2, FC, FD, FE driver's licenses are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
5. The validity of the driver's license is recorded on the license.
Therefore, according to the above regulations, a Class A1 driver's license has an unlimited period of validity.
Class A1 Driver’s License Validity? Is it Possible to Re-issue a Lost Class A1 Driver’s License?
Can a Lost Class A1 Driver's License be Re-issued?
According to the provisions of Clause 2 Article 36 Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, the regulation is as follows:
Re-issuing Driver's Licenses
1. Individuals whose licenses have expired
a) From 3 months to under 1 year since the expiration date, must retake the theory test to re-issue the driver's license;
b) From 1 year or more since the expiration date, must retake both theory and practical tests to re-issue the driver's license.
The examination files are to be implemented according to Clause 3 Article 19 of this Circular.
2. Individuals whose licenses are lost, still valid or expired by less than 3 months, are eligible for re-issuance.
The required documents include:
a) An application form for re-issuance of the driver's license as stipulated in Appendix 19 issued with this Circular;
b) The original file matching the driver's license (if any);
c) A health certificate issued by a competent medical facility as prescribed, except for re-issuance of non-expiring licenses of classes A1, A2, A3;
d) A copy of the citizen ID or identity card or valid passport that states the citizen ID number or identity card (for Vietnamese citizens) or valid passport (for foreigners, overseas Vietnamese).
When completing procedures for re-issuance of the driver's license at the Vietnam Road Administration or Department of Transport, the applicant must submit 01 set of documents, take a direct photo, and present the originals of the above documents (except for originals already submitted) for verification. After 2 months from the date of submission of complete documents, photo, and payment of the prescribed fee, if the driver's license is not found to be held or being handled by any authorized agency, and the applicant's name is not in the examination management agency’s records, the driver’s license will be re-issued.
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Therefore, according to the above regulations, an individual with a lost Class A1 driver's license can have it re-issued without retaking the test.
To be eligible for the re-issuance of a lost Class A1 driver's license, the following documents must be prepared:
- An application form for re-issuance of the driver's license as prescribed in Appendix 19 issued with this Circular;- The original file matching the driver's license (if any);- A copy of the citizen ID or identity card or valid passport that states the citizen ID number or identity card (for Vietnamese citizens) or valid passport (for foreigners, overseas Vietnamese).
The driver shall submit the re-issuance application for a Class A1 driver's license at the Vietnam Road Administration or the Department of Transport. After 2 months from the date of submission of complete documents, photo, and payment of the prescribed fee, if no driver’s license is found to be held or being handled by any authorized agency, and if the applicant's name is not in the records of the examination management agency, the driver's license will be re-issued.
Who has the Authority to Issue Class A1 Driver's Licenses According to Regulations?
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 29 Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, with some terms replaced by Article 12 Circular 05/2023/TT-BGTVT, the regulation is as follows:
License Examination and Issuance Authorities
1. The Vietnam Road Administration is responsible for managing license examinations and issuance nationwide; the Transport Management, Vehicles, and Drivers Department is the advisor assisting the General Director in performing the functions and tasks of managing license examinations and issuance (referred to as the examination management agency).
2. The Department of Transport is responsible for managing license examinations and issuance within the provinces and cities under central authority; the department assigned with the task of managing training, examination, and license issuance is the advisor assisting the Director of the Department in performing the functions and tasks of managing license examinations and issuance (referred to as the examination management agency).
The authorities authorized to issue Class A1 driver's licenses include:
- The Vietnam Road Administration issues driver's licenses nationwide. The General Director implements the issuance of driver's licenses.- The Department of Transport issues driver's licenses within the provinces and cities under central authority. The Director of the Department implements the issuance of driver's licenses.
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