Vietnam issues Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regarding driver examination; issuance and use of international driving permits
Vietnam issues Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regarding driver examination; issuance and use of international driving permits
On February 28, 2025, the Ministry of Public Security issued Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regulating the examination, issuance, exchange, re-issuance, revocation, and use of driving licenses; issuance and use of international driving permits; models of driving licenses and international driving permit models.
Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA does not govern the examination, issuance, exchange, re-issuance, revocation of driving licenses for military and police forces on national defense and security duties.
Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA applies to organizations and individuals involved in the examination, issuance, exchange, re-issuance, revocation, and use of driving licenses, and the issuance and use of international driving permits.
Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA takes effect from March 1, 2025.
Vietnam issues Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regarding driver examination; issuance and use of international driving permits (Image from the Internet)
What does the application for renewal of driving licenses include?
Pursuant to Article 21 of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regulating the renewal of driving licenses:
Article 21. Renew driving licenses
[...]
- The application for renewal of driving licenses includes:
a) A request for renewal of a driving license according to the form specified in Appendix XII issued together with this Circular;
b) A health certificate of the driver issued by a qualified medical examination and treatment facility as prescribed by the law on medical examination and treatment, still valid (except for those with a driving license class of A1, A, B1);
c) A passport still valid (for foreigners and Vietnamese residing abroad);
d) Other documents showing information as prescribed at point d, clause 1 of this Article.
[...]
According to the above regulation, the application for renewal of driving licenses includes:
- A request for renewal of a driving license
- A health certificate of the driver issued by a qualified medical examination and treatment facility as prescribed by the law on medical examination and treatment, still valid (except for those with a driving license class of A1, A, B1)
- A passport still valid (for foreigners and Vietnamese residing abroad)
- Other documents showing information: date, month, year of birth, surname, first name, middle name, nationality, place of birth, place of residence
What are the driving license categories in Vietnam?
Pursuant to Article 57 of Road Traffic Order and Safety Law 2024 stipulating the following categories of driving licenses:
- Class A1 is issued to drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cm³ or an engine power of up to 11 kW
- Class A is issued to drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of over 125 cm³ or an engine power of over 11 kW and vehicles specified for Class A1 driving licenses
- Class B1 is issued to drivers of three-wheeled motorcycles and vehicles specified for Class A1 driving licenses
- Class B is issued to drivers of passenger cars with up to 8 seats (excluding the driver's seat); trucks and special-purpose vehicles with a design total weight of up to 3,500 kg; cars specified for Class B driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of up to 750 kg
- Class C1 is issued to drivers of trucks and special-purpose vehicles with a design total weight of over 3,500 kg to 7,500 kg; trucks specified for Class C1 driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of up to 750 kg; vehicles specified for Class B driving licenses
- Class C is issued to drivers of trucks and special-purpose vehicles with a design total weight of over 7,500 kg; trucks specified for Class C driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of up to 750 kg; vehicles specified for Class B and C1 driving licenses
- Class D1 is issued to drivers of passenger cars with over 8 seats (excluding the driver's seat) to 16 seats (excluding the driver's seat); passenger cars specified for Class D1 driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of up to 750 kg; vehicles specified for Class B, C1, C driving licenses
- Class D2 is issued to drivers of passenger cars (including buses) with over 16 seats (excluding the driver's seat) to 29 seats (excluding the driver's seat); passenger cars specified for Class D2 driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of up to 750 kg; vehicles specified for Class B, C1, C, D1 driving licenses
- Class D is issued to drivers of passenger cars (including buses) with over 29 seats (excluding the driver's seat); sleeper buses; passenger cars specified for Class D driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of up to 750 kg; vehicles specified for Class B, C1, C, D1, D2 driving licenses
- Class BE is issued to drivers of vehicles specified for Class B driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of over 750 kg
- Class C1E is issued to drivers of vehicles specified for Class C1 driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of over 750 kg
- Class CE is issued to drivers of vehicles specified for Class C driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of over 750 kg; tractor units towing semi-trailers
- Class D1E is issued to drivers of vehicles specified for Class D1 driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of over 750 kg
- Class D2E is issued to drivers of vehicles specified for Class D2 driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of over 750 kg
- Class DE is issued to drivers of vehicles specified for Class D driving licenses towing trailers with a design total weight of over 750 kg; articulated buses
