The Ministry of Transport is seeking comments on a draft Circular regulating training, testing, granting and revoking driving licenses; granting and using international driving licenses; testing and granting certificates of training in road traffic law knowledge.

According to current regulations, class B1 and B2 driving licenses are issued to non-professional and professional drivers of passenger vehicles with up to 9 seats including the driver's seat; trucks, including specialized trucks with a design load of less than 3,500 kg.

However, the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, effective from January 1, 2025, stipulates that class B1 is only allowed to drive three-wheeled motorbikes and vehicles of class A1 (including two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of up to 125cm3 or an electric motor capacity of up to 11kW).

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Students studying for a driver's license can choose the form of theory lessons. Photo: Anh Hung

In addition, the Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order no longer stipulates B2 driving license, instead adding class B. Class B is granted to drivers of passenger cars with up to 8 seats, not including the driver's seat. Class C is also divided into classes C1 and C, granted to drivers of trucks and special-purpose cars.

Accordingly, drivers who currently hold a B1 or B2 license can still drive normally. In case they want to issue or change their license, the competent authority will transfer them to an equivalent license, which is B or C1.

At the same time, from January 1, 2025, car driving learners will be granted class B and C1 licenses instead of B1 and B2 as before.

Faced with this reality, the Ministry of Transport drafted a Circular to adjust driver training and testing to comply with the Law on Traffic Order and Safety.

Specifically, the Ministry of Transport proposed to add regulations on testing and granting driving licenses for two new classes, B and C1. Accordingly, learners who want to be granted driving licenses for these two classes must pass the theory and practice tests.

Flexible theoretical course format

Regarding the learning method, the Ministry of Transport recommends that people who need to be granted a 2-wheel driving license of classes A1, A and B1 can self-study the theory subjects, but must register at a licensed training facility to review and take the test.

People who need to be granted a driving license for classes B, C1, C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E and DE can choose to study theory in one of the following forms: concentrated at a training facility; concentrated at a training facility combined with distance learning, self-study with guidance; distance learning, self-study with guidance.

However, for practical subjects, the draft Circular stipulates that they must be studied at a training facility.

Both theory and practical driving tests must be held at the training facility to be considered for a certificate of completion of the training course.

A representative of the Ministry of Transport said that the above regulations are in line with the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety recently passed by the National Assembly. At the same time, these adjustments also ensure compatibility with international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

Mr. Khuong Kim Tao, former Deputy Chief of Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee, said that allowing students to choose to study theory online is a policy that is completely suitable for current reality.

As technology develops, learning theory via the Internet is suitable for the needs of learners. This form of learning helps save time and money for learners. Accordingly, units only need to build standard clips, learners proactively study time. When learners meet the requirements, they are allowed to take the exam.

It is known that after registering for driving lessons, students will register with the training center for the learning method (directly or online) for the theory part. Students must study enough time, content, and training program to be tested on the subject and considered for certification.

Tighten regulations on upgrading driving licenses

The Ministry of Transport also proposed to add conditions for upgrading driving licenses in the direction that learners must have enough time to drive safely as follows:

Classes: B to C1, B to C, B to D1, B to BE, C1 to C, C1 to D1, C1 to D2, C1 to C1E, D1 to D2, D1 to D, D1 to D1E, D2 to D, D2 to D2E, D to DE require 2 years or more of safe driving experience.

Classes: B to D2, C to D require 3 years or more of safe driving time.