Regulations on the Issuance of Official Driver’s Licenses Will Be Changed

Official regulation on the issuance of driver's licenses will be changed from January 1, 2025 (Image from Internet)

On June 27, 2024, the National Assembly passed the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order.

Can driver’s licenses issued before January 1, 2025 continue to be used?

According to Article 89 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order, driver’s licenses issued before January 1, 2025 can be used according to the validity period stated on the license.

Driver's licenses issued before January 1, 2025, if not yet renewed under the new regulation, are valid as follows:

(1) Class A1 driver’s licenses can continue to operate two-wheeled motorcycles with engine capacities from 50 cm³ to under 175 cm³ or electric motor power from 04 kW to under 14 kW;

(2) Class A2 driver’s licenses can continue to operate two-wheeled motorcycles with engine capacities from 175 cm³ or more, or electric motor power from 14 kW or more, and vehicles specified for Class A1 licenses as stated in (1);

(3) Class A3 driver’s licenses can continue to operate three-wheeled motorcycles, vehicles specified for Class A1 licenses as stated in (1), and similar vehicles;

(4) Class A4 driver’s licenses can continue to operate tractors with a load capacity of up to 1,000 kg;

(5) Automatic Class B1 driver’s licenses for non-professional drivers can continue to operate automatic cars carrying up to 08 people (excluding the driver’s seat); automatic cargo cars, including specialized automatic cargo cars with a load capacity of less than 3,500 kg;

(6) Class B1 driver’s licenses for non-professional drivers can continue to operate cars carrying up to 08 people (excluding the driver’s seat); cargo cars, tractors with a load capacity of less than 3,500 kg;

(7) Class B2 driver’s licenses for professional drivers can continue to operate cars carrying up to 08 people (excluding the driver’s seat); cargo cars, tractors with a load capacity of less than 3,500 kg;

(8) Class C driver’s licenses can continue to operate cargo cars, tractors with a load capacity from 3,500 kg or more and vehicles specified for Class B1, B2 licenses as stated in (5), (6), (7);

(9) Class D driver’s licenses can continue to operate cars carrying from 09 to 29 people (excluding the driver’s seat) and vehicles specified for Class B1, B2, C licenses as stated in (5), (6), (7), (8);

(10) Class E driver’s licenses can continue to operate cars carrying more than 29 people (excluding the driver’s seat) and vehicles specified for Class B1, B2, C, D licenses as stated in (5), (6), (7), (8), (9);

(11) Class FB2, FD driver’s licenses can continue to operate vehicles specified for Class B2, D licenses as stated in (8), (9) when towing trailers; Class FC driver’s licenses can continue to operate vehicles specified for Class C licenses as stated in (8) when towing trailers, semi-trailer trucks; Class FE driver’s licenses can continue to operate vehicles specified for Class E licenses as stated in (10) when towing trailers or towed passenger cars.

Official regulation on the issuance of driver’s licenses will be changed

To be specific, according to clause 3 of Article 89 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order, for individuals with driver’s licenses issued before the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order takes effect, if they wish to renew or re-issue their licenses, they must follow these steps:

- Class A1 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class A licenses with the restriction of only operating two-wheeled motorcycles with engine capacities of up to 175 cm³ or electric motor power of up to 14 kW;

- Class A2 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class A licenses;

- Class A3 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class B1 licenses;

- Class A4 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of up to 1,000 kg and certificates of legal knowledge on road traffic for operators of specialized vehicles;

- Automatic Class B1 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class B licenses with the restriction of only operating automatic cars;

- Class B1, B2 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class B or Class C1 licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of up to 3,500 kg;

- Class C driver’s licenses remain the same and can be renewed or reissued in the same class along with certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of over 3,500 kg;

- Class D driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class D2 licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of over 3,500 kg;

- Class E driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class D licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of over 3,500 kg;

- Class FB2 driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class BE or Class C1E licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of up to 3,500 kg;

- Class FC driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class CE licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of over 3,500 kg;

- Class FD driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class D2E licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of over 3,500 kg;

- Class FE driver’s licenses can be renewed or reissued as Class DE licenses and certificates for operating specialized vehicles for operators of tractors with a load capacity of over 3,500 kg.

For more information, see the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order effective from January 1, 2025.

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