Guidance on issuing driver licenses for individuals with expired driver licenses in Vietnam

Guidance on issuing driver licenses for individuals with expired driver licenses in Vietnam​ (Image from the Internet)

1. Guidance on issuing driver licenses for individuals with expired driver licenses in Vietnam

According to Clause 2, Article 34 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT guiding the issuance of driver licenses for individuals whose driver licenses are expired:

- Individuals with driver licenses of categories B, C1, C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE that are expired:

+ Expired for less than 01 year from the expiration date must undergo theoretical examination as stipulated in point a clause 1 Article 17 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT to be issued a driver license;

+ Expired for 01 year or more from the expiration date must undergo a theoretical examination and practical driving test on the course and on the road to be issued a driver license as stipulated in clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 17 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ Examination dossier is implemented as stipulated in clause 3 Article 29 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT;

- Individuals with driver licenses of categories B, C1, C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE that are lost but expired, registered in the transport department's dossier, not under seizure or handling by competent authorities must undergo the following examinations:

+ Expired for less than 01 year must undergo a theoretical examination to be issued a driver license as stipulated in point a clause 1 Article 17 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT.

+ Expired for 01 year or more from the expiration date must undergo a theoretical examination and practical driving test on the course and on the road to be issued a driver license as stipulated in clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 17 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT.

+ Examination dossier is implemented as stipulated in clause 3 Article 29 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT;

+ The passing date indicated on the back of the driver license is calculated based on the passing date of the old driver license;

+ Examinees who wish to review, must register with driving training centers for review guidance, must pay review fees as per regulations, and are not required to relearn the training program;

+ In cases where the result is not satisfactory for obtaining a driver license, individuals with expired or lost driver licenses must register with the Department of Transport to re-participate in the examination.

2. Guideline on reissuance of driver licenses in Vietnam

According to Article 35 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT guiding the reissuance of driver licenses:

- Individuals whose driver licenses are lost but still valid can have the license reissued. The reissuance of the lost driver license is implemented as per clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 36 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT.

- The passing date indicated on the back of the driver license is calculated based on the passing date of the old driver license.

- driver licenses will not be reissued for the following cases: driver licenses not in the driver license information system at the Vietnam Road Administration, list of issued driver licenses (management book); have not yet reissued a driver license for individuals violating order, road traffic safety who have not completed the requests of competent state authorities regarding the resolution and handling of administrative violations in the field of order and road traffic safety.

3. Requirements for replacing driver licenses issued by the Transport sector in Vietnam

Requirements for replacing driver licenses issued by the transport sector according to Clause 1 Article 36 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT are as follows:

- Vietnamese citizens, foreigners trained, examined, issued driver licenses in Vietnam;

- Individuals with driver licenses issued by the transport sector that are damaged beyond usability;

- Vietnamese citizens, foreigners with permanent residency cards in Vietnam having Vietnamese driver licenses converted from foreign driver licenses, upon expiration if wishing to have their driver licenses replaced;

- In cases where the date, month, year of birth, surname, first name, middle name, nationality, place of birth, place of residence on the driver license differ from the identity card or personal identification, the driver license management authority processes for a new driver license compatible with the information on the identity card or personal identification;

- driver licenses will not be replaced for the following cases: driver licenses not in the driver license information system at the Vietnam Road Administration, list of issued driver licenses (management book); individuals violating order and road traffic safety who have not completed the requests of competent state authorities regarding the resolution and handling of administrative violations in the field of order and road traffic safety.

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