From January 1, 2025, what is the maximum age for drivers? What are regulations on driver's license categories in Vietnam from January 1, 2025?
Increase in the Maximum Age for Drivers in Vietnam from January 1, 2025
Pursuant to point e clause 1 Article 59 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024:
Age, Health of Drivers Participating in Road Traffic
1. The age of drivers, operators of special-use motorcycles is regulated as follows:
a) Persons aged from 16 years and older may operate motorcycles;
b) Persons aged from 18 years and older may be issued with a class A1, A, B1, B, C1 driver's license, be issued with a certificate of legal knowledge on road traffic to operate special-use motorcycles participating in road traffic;
c) Persons aged from 21 years and older may be issued with a class C, BE driver's license;
d) Persons aged from 24 years and older may be issued with a class D1, D2, C1E, CE driver's license;
dd) Persons aged from 27 years and older may be issued with a class D, D1E, D2E, DE driver's license;
e) The maximum age of a driver of passenger cars (including buses) with over 29 seats (excluding the driver’s seat), sleeper buses is 57 years for men, 55 years for women.
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Thus, according to the above regulations, the maximum age for drivers of passenger cars (including buses) with over 29 seats (excluding the driver’s seat), and sleeper buses is:
- 57 years for men
- 55 years for women.
| Current regulation at point e clause 1 Article 60 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008 specifies the maximum age for drivers of passenger cars with over 30 seats as: - 55 years for men - 50 years for women. |
From January 1, 2025, what is the maximum age for drivers? (Internet image)
What are regulations on driver's license categories in Vietnam from January 1, 2025?
Pursuant to Article 57 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024, the categories of driver's licenses from January 01, 2025 are as follows:
| Category | Eligible Individuals |
| Category A1 | Issued to operators of two-wheeled motorcycles with engine displacement up to 125 cm³ or electric motor power up to 11 kW Issued to persons with disabilities operating tricycles for the disabled |
| Category A | Issued to operators of two-wheeled motorcycles with engine displacement above 125 cm³ or electric motor power above 11 kW and types of vehicles regulated for category A1 driver's licenses; |
| Category B1 | Issued to operators of three-wheeled motorcycles and types of vehicles regulated for category A1 driver's licenses; |
| Category B | Issued to operators of passenger cars with up to 08 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); trucks and special-use cars with a total designed weight up to 3,500 kg; types of cars regulated for category B licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight up to 750 kg. |
| Category C1 | Issued to operators of trucks and special-use cars with a total designed weight over 3,500 kg up to 7,500 kg; types of trucks regulated for category C1 licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight up to 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for category B licenses; |
| Category C | Issued to operators of trucks and special-use cars with a total designed weight over 7,500 kg; types of trucks regulated for category C licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight up to 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for category B and C1 licenses. |
| Category D1 | Issued to operators of passenger cars with over 08 seats (excluding the driver’s seat) up to 16 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); types of passenger cars regulated for category D1 licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight up to 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B, C1, C licenses. |
| Category D2 | Issued to operators of passenger cars (including buses) with over 16 seats (excluding the driver’s seat) up to 29 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); types of passenger cars regulated for category D2 licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight up to 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B, C1, C, D1 licenses. |
| Category D | Issued to operators of passenger cars (including buses) with over 29 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); sleeper buses; types of passenger cars regulated for category D licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight up to 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B, C1, C, D1, D2 licenses; |
| Category BE | Issued to operators of types of passenger cars regulated for category B licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight over 750 kg. |
| Category C1E | Issued to operators of types of passenger cars regulated for category C1 licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight over 750 kg. |
| Category CE | Issued to operators of types of trucks regulated for category C licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight over 750 kg; tractor trucks towing semi-trailers. |
| Category D1E | Issued to operators of types of passenger cars regulated for category D1 licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight over 750 kg. |
| Category D2E | Issued to operators of types of passenger cars regulated for category D2 licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight over 750 kg. |
| Category DE | Issued to operators of types of passenger cars regulated for category D licenses towing trailers with a total designed weight over 750 kg; passenger towing train cars. |
Currently, driver's licenses are regulated under Article 16 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT including: A1, A2, A3, A4, B1 automatic, B1, B2, C, D, E, FB2, FC, FD, FE.
What is the validity period of driver's licenses in Vietnam from January 1, 2025?
According to clause 5 Article 57 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024, the validity period of driver's licenses from January 1, 2025 is as follows:
- driver's licenses of categories A1, A, and B1 are valid indefinitely;
- driver's licenses of categories B and C1 are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance;
- driver's licenses of categories C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, and DE are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 will take effect from January 01, 2025, except for clause 3 Article 10 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 which takes effect from January 01, 2026.
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