May I ask, what documents and procedures do I need to follow to have my driver's license reissued? I kindly request the Editorial Board of Legal Secretary to provide an answer. Thank you. This is a question from Mr. Ngo Xuan Tai from Ho Chi Minh City sent to the support inbox of Legal Secretary on May 25, 2020.
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Guidance on documents, procedures for reissuing driver's licenses according to current regulations - Illustrative image
Regarding Mr. Tai's issue, the Editorial Board of LAW SECRETARY provides the following response:
First, to determine what documents Mr. Tai needs to prepare and the procedure for reissuing his Driver's License, he has to specify his particular situation: whether his license has expired or has been lost, and if lost, the number of times. However, since Mr. Tai did not clarify his situation, the Editorial Board of Law Secretary will list the documents and procedures for all cases of reissuing the Driver's License here for Mr. Tai and valued customers and members to conveniently follow. Specifically, as follows:
Case 1: Driver's License expired
In this case, depending on the period the license has expired, Mr. Tai will have to re-sit the theory test or both the theory and practical test to be reissued a Driver's License. Specifically:
- From 03 months to less than 01 year from the expiration date, one must re-sit the theory test to be reissued a driver's license;
- From 01 year or more from the expiration date, one must re-sit both the theory and practical tests to be reissued a driver's license.
The examination dossier is implemented according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 19 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, including:
- Copy of identity card or citizen identification card or currently valid passport with recorded identity card or citizen ID number for Vietnamese; currently valid passport for Vietnamese residing abroad;
- Copy of a passport valid for more than 06 months and temporary residence card or permanent residence card or diplomatic identity card or official identity card for foreigners;
- Health certificate of the driver issued by a competent medical facility as prescribed;
- Application form for exchange (re-issuance) of a driver's license according to the form specified in Appendix 19 issued with Circular 12.
The driver prepares 01 set of documents, submitting it directly at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport.
Case 2: Driver's License lost, still valid or expired less than 03 months
In this case, Mr. Tai will be considered for reissuance of his driver's license. The dossier includes:
- Application form for reissuing a driver's license according to the form specified in Appendix 19 issued with Circular 12;
- Original dossier that matches the driver's license (if any);
- Health certificate of the driver issued by a competent medical facility as prescribed, except in the case of reissuing a non-term driver's license category A1, A2, A3;
- Copy of identity card or citizen ID card or currently valid passport with recorded ID card or citizen ID number (for Vietnamese) or currently valid passport (for foreigners, Vietnamese residing, abroad).
When coming to carry out the procedure for reissuing the driver's license at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport, Mr. Tai submits 01 set of documents, takes direct photos, and presents the original documents mentioned above (except for the originals already submitted) for verification. After 02 months from the date of submitting the complete dossier, taking photos, and paying the fee as prescribed, if it is not found that the driver's license is being held or handled by the competent authorities and it is listed in the examination management agency’s dossier, the driver's license will be reissued.
Case 3: Driver's License lost, expired for 03 months or more
In this case, if Mr. Tai is listed in the examination management agency’s dossier, and is not currently held or handled by competent authorities, within 02 months from the date of submitting a complete valid dossier, depending on the expiration period, he will have to retake the theory test or both the theory and practical tests to be reissued a driver's license. Specifically:
- Expired from 03 months to less than 01 year, must re-sit the theory test;
- Expired from 01 year or more, must re-sit both theory and practical tests.
The retake examination dossier is implemented according to the provisions in Clause 4, Article 19 of Circular 12, including:
- Copy of identity card or citizen ID card or currently valid passport showing the ID card or citizen ID number for Vietnamese; currently valid passport for Vietnamese residing abroad;
- Copy of a passport valid for more than 06 months and temporary residence card or permanent residence card or diplomatic identity card or official identification card for foreigners;
- Health certificate of the driver issued by a competent medical facility as prescribed;
- Application form for exchange (reissuance) of a driver's license according to the form specified in Appendix 19 issued with Circular 12 with the date of receipt by the receiving agency;
- Original dossier of the lost driver's license (if any).
The driver prepares 01 set of documents, submitting it directly at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport.
Some notes when reissuing a driver's license:
- The agency reissuing the driver's license for lost cases must notify the cancellation of the old driver's license to the relevant agencies.
- The passing date recorded on the back of the reissued (recovered) driver's license is calculated according to the passing date of the old driver's license.
- The reissuance period of the driver's license is performed as for new issuance.
- Those retaking the exam who need review can register with driving training institutions for guidance, must pay the review fee according to the regulations, not to retake the training program.
- Those with a valid driver's license but without the original dossier, listed in the examination management agency's records, can request the re-establishment of the original dossier.
The driver prepares 01 set of documents, submitting it directly at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (where the driver's license was issued). The dossier includes:
+ Application form according to the form specified in Appendix 19 issued with Circular 12;
+ Copy of driver's license, identity card, or citizen ID card or currently valid passport.
The driver licensing agency inspects, confirms, and stamps, specifying: the number, category of the driver's license issued, date of examination (if any), the name of the training institution (if any) at the upper right corner of the application form and returns it to the driver for self-keeping to replace the original dossier.
Nguyen Trinh
