What vehicles can holders of B1 licenses operate in Vietnam from January 1, 2025? Do holders of B1 license issued before 2025 need to take a test for a B license in Vietnam?
What vehicles can holders of B1 licenses operate in Vietnam from January 1, 2025?
Currently, Clause 4, Article 59 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008 stipulates that B1 driver's licenses are issued to non-professional drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:
- Automatic B1 category for non-professional drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:
+ Automatic-transmission cars with up to 9 seats, including the driver’s seat;
+ Automatic transmission trucks, including specialized automatic transmission trucks with a design load of less than 3,500 kg;
+ Cars for people with disabilities.
- B1 category for non-professional drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:
+ Cars with up to 9 seats, including the driver’s seat;
+ Trucks, including specialized trucks with a design load of less than 3,500 kg;
+ Tractors towing one trailer with a design load of less than 3,500 kg.
However, the National Assembly recently issued the Road Traffic Order, Safety Law, effective from January 1, 2025 (except as specified in Clause 2, Article 88 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008), which provides new regulations on B1 licenses not being valid for driving cars.
Under the new regulations for classifying driver's licenses as per Clause 1, Article 57 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008, a B1 license is not valid for driving cars. Specifically:
Driver's License
1. The driver's license includes the following categories:
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c) B1 category for drivers of three-wheel motorcycles and types of vehicles regulated for category A1 driver's licenses;
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Thus, from January 1, 2025, individuals with newly issued B1 licenses cannot operate vehicles as before (including cars). Instead, B1 license holders will be allowed to drive the following types of vehicles:
- Three-wheel motorcycles;- Two-wheel motorcycles with an engine displacement of up to 125 cm3 or electric engine power up to 11 kW.
Therefore, from 2025, car drivers must obtain licenses from category B or higher.
At point d, clause 1, Article 57 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008 it is clear that a B license is for drivers of cars carrying up to 08 passengers (excluding the driver's seat); trucks and specialized cars with a total design weight of up to 3,500 kg; and other vehicles as specified in category B driver's licenses towing trailers with a total design weight of up to 750 kg.
Note: In cases of renewal or re-issuance of a B1 license from 2025, the individual still has permission to drive cars according to points đ, e clause 3 Article 89 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008 as follows:
- Automatic transmission B1 licenses renewed or reissued as B licenses, with the restriction of only being permitted to operate automatic transmission cars;- B1 and B2 licenses renewed or reissued as category B or C1 licenses and a certificate for controlling specialized machinery for individuals operating tractors with a load capacity of up to 3,500 kg.
From January 1, 2025, what vehicles can a new B1 license holder drive?
Do holders of B1 license issued before 2025 need to take a test for a B license in Vietnam?
Article 89 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008 stipulates transitional provisions as follows:
Transitional Provisions
1. Driver's licenses issued before the effective date of this Law may continue to be used until the expiry date indicated on the license.
2. Driver's licenses issued before the effective date of this Law that have not yet been renewed or reissued according to the regulations of this Law have the following uses:
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dd) Automatic B1 category licenses issued to non-professional drivers may continue to operate automatic transmission cars carrying up to 08 passengers (excluding the driver’s seat); automatic transmission trucks, including specialized automatic transmission trucks with a load of less than 3,500 kg;
e) B1 category licenses issued to non-professional drivers may continue to operate cars carrying up to 08 passengers (excluding the driver’s seat); trucks, tractors with a load of less than 3,500 kg;
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Therefore, holder of B1 license before January 1, 2025, can continue to use it without needing to pass a test for a B license.
However, the scope of the operation for transport means under the B1 license changes as follows:
- Automatic B1 license holders can drive automatic transmission cars carrying up to 08 passengers (excluding the driver's seat); automatic transmission trucks, including specialized automatic transmission trucks with a load of less than 3,500 kg;
- B1 license holders can drive cars carrying up to 08 passengers (excluding the driver's seat); trucks, tractors with a load of less than 3,500 kg;
However, when a B1 license expires, the driver will need to pass a test to be issued a B license.
What is the validity of B1 license in Vietnam before and after 2025?
Currently, the Law on Road Traffic 2008 stipulates the validity of B1 licenses as follows:
Validity of driver's licenses
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2. B1 category licenses are valid until the driver reaches the age of 55 for females and 60 for males; in the case of drivers over 45 years of age for females and over 50 years for males, the license is issued for 10 years from the date of issuance.
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Meanwhile, clause 5, Article 57 of the 2024 Road Traffic Order and Safety Law stipulates the validity of B1 licenses from 2025 as follows:
Driver's License
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5. The validity period of driver's licenses is regulated as follows:
a) A1, A, B1 category licenses are valid indefinitely;
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Thus, the B1 license from 2025 will be valid indefinitely instead of having a limited validity period as currently (females - 55 years; males - 60 years; in the case of B1 licenses issued to females over 45 years and males over 50 years, the validity period is 10 years from the date of issuance).
The Law on Road Traffic 2008 comes into effect in Vietnam on January 1, 2025, except for clause 3, Article 10 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008, which takes effect on January 1, 2026.
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