Proposal to eliminate driver licenses of category A1, B1, B2 in Vietnam from July 1, 2024

Proposal to eliminate driver licenses of category A1, B1, B2 in Vietnam from July 1, 2024 (Image from the Internet)

1. Proposal to eliminate driver licenses of category A1, B1, B2 in Vietnam from July 1, 2024

According to Clause 1, Article 39 of the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the following specific changes in driver license categories are proposed:

driver licenses include the following categories:

- Category A2 issued to drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity from 50 cm^3^ to 175 cm^3^ or with an engine of equivalent rated power;

- Category A issued to drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 175 cm^3^ or more or engines of equivalent rated power and types of vehicles regulated for category A2 driver licenses;

- Category A3 issued to drivers of three-wheeled motorcycles and types of vehicles regulated for category A2 driver licenses;

- Category B issued to drivers of passenger cars with up to 9 seats (including the driver's seat); trucks (including special-use trucks), tractors with a designed load not exceeding 3,500 kg; cars regulated for category B driver licenses with attached trailers having a total design weight of trailers not exceeding 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for category B2 driver licenses;

- Category C1 issued to drivers of trucks (including special-use trucks, special-use cars), tractors with a designed load from 3,500 to 7,500 kg; trucks regulated for category C1 driver licenses with attached trailers having a total design weight of trailers not exceeding 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B driver licenses;

- Category C issued to drivers of trucks (including special-use trucks, special-use cars), tractors with a designed load over 7,500 kg; trucks regulated for category C driver licenses with attached trailers having a total design weight of trailers not exceeding 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B, C1 driver licenses;

- Category D2 issued to drivers of passenger cars (including buses) from 10 to 30 seats; passenger cars regulated for category D2 driver licenses with attached trailers having a total design weight of trailers not exceeding 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B, C1, C driver licenses;

- Category D issued to drivers of passenger cars (including buses) over 30 seats; sleeper buses; passenger cars regulated for category D driver licenses with attached trailers having a total design weight of trailers not exceeding 750 kg; types of vehicles regulated for categories B, C1, C, D2 driver licenses;

- Category BE issued to drivers to drive cars regulated for category B driver licenses when towing trailers with a total design weight of trailers over 750 kg;

- Category C1E issued to drivers to drive cars regulated for category C1 driver licenses when towing trailers with a total design weight of trailers over 750 kg;

- Category CE issued to drivers to drive cars regulated for category C driver licenses when towing trailers with a total design weight of trailers over 750 kg; semi-trailer trucks;

- Category D2E issued to drivers to drive cars regulated for category D2 driver licenses when towing trailers with a total design weight of trailers over 750 kg;

- Category DE issued to drivers to drive cars regulated for category D driver licenses when towing trailers with a total design weight of trailers over 750 kg.

According to the current regulations in Article 59 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008, driver license categories are currently as follows: Permanent driver licenses include categories A1, A2, A3 and temporary driver licenses include categories A4, B1, B2, C, D, E, FB2, FD, FE.

Therefore, according to the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, it is proposed that there will no longer be A1, B1, B2 driver licenses, but only the following categories: A2, A, A3, B, C1, C, D2, D, BE, D2E, DE.

2. Validity of driver licenses in Vietnam (Proposal)

The validity of driver licenses according to Clause 6, Article 39 of the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety is as follows:

- Category A2, A, A3 driver licenses are permanent;

- Category B driver licenses are valid for 10 years from the issuance date;

- Category C1, C, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D2E, DE driver licenses are valid for 5 years from the issuance date.

3. Age requirements of vehicle operators participating in road traffic in Vietnam (Proposal)

The driver's age is regulated as follows:

- Persons aged 16 and above are allowed to drive mopeds;

- Persons aged 18 and above are issued category A2, A, A3, B driver licenses;

- Persons aged 21 and above are issued category C1, C, BE driver licenses;

- Persons aged 24 and above are issued category D2, C1E, CE driver licenses;

- Persons aged 27 and above are issued category D, D2E, DE driver licenses;

- The maximum age of professional drivers of passenger cars with more than 30 seats is 50 years for women and 55 years for men.

(Clause 1, Article 40 of the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety)

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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