If I lose my original documents, can I get a new driver's license?

According to the law, if the original documents are lost, can a driver's license be reissued? - Reader Huy Tung

Mất hồ sơ gốc có xin cấp lại bằng lái xe được không? (Nguồn TVPL)

If I lose my original documents, can I re-apply for a driver's license? (Source: TVPL)

If I lose my original documents, can I get a new driver's license?

Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 36 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, a person whose driving license is lost, still valid or expired for less than 03 months, will be considered for re-issuance of a driving license. In case there is no original document matching the lost driving license, the driving license will still be re-issued according to regulations.

At that time, the person whose driver's license is lost needs to prepare a set of documents including the following types of papers:

- Application for re-issuance of driving license according to prescribed form;

- Health certificate of the driver issued by a competent medical facility as prescribed, except for the case of re-issuing an indefinite driving license for classes A1, A2, A3;

- Copy of valid identity card or citizen identification card or passport with the identity card number or citizen identification card number (for Vietnamese) or valid passport (for foreigners, Vietnamese people residing abroad).

When coming to carry out the procedure for re-issuing a driver's license at the Vietnam Road Administration or the Department of Transport, the driver submits 01 set of documents, takes a direct photo and presents the original copies of the above documents (except for the originals already sent) for comparison.

After 02 months from the date of submitting all documents, taking photos and paying the prescribed fee, if the driving license is not detected to be confiscated or processed by competent authorities; the name is in the records of the examination management agency, the driving license will be reissued.

In case the driver's license is lost, expired for 03 months or more, has its name in the records of the testing management agency, and is not currently being confiscated or processed by competent authorities, after 02 months from the date of submitting a complete and valid application as prescribed, the following contents must be re-examined:

- Expired from 03 months to less than 01 year, must retake the theory test;

- Expired for 1 year or more, must retake both theory and practice tests.

Latest driving license classes

Pursuant to Article 16 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, driving licenses are classified as follows:

(1) Grade A1 is granted to:

- Drivers to operate two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity from 50 cm3 to under 175 cm3;

- Disabled person driving a three-wheeled motorcycle for disabled people.

(2) Class A2 is granted to drivers to drive two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of 175 cm3 or more and the types of vehicles specified for class A1 driving licenses.

(3) Class A3 is granted to drivers to drive three-wheeled motorbikes, types of vehicles specified for class A1 driving licenses and similar vehicles.

(4) Class A4 is granted to drivers to operate small tractors with a load capacity of up to 1,000 kg.

(5) Class B1 automatic transmission is granted to non-professional drivers to drive the following types of vehicles:

- Automatic car with up to 9 seats, including the driver's seat;

- Trucks, including specialized trucks with automatic transmission, with a design load capacity of less than 3,500 kg;

- Car for disabled people.

(6) Class B1 is granted to non-professional drivers to drive the following types of vehicles:

- Passenger cars with up to 9 seats, including the driver's seat;

- Trucks, including specialized trucks with a design load capacity of less than 3,500 kg;

- Tractor pulling a trailer with a design load of less than 3,500 kg.

(7) Class B2 is granted to professional drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:

- Specialized vehicles with a design load of less than 3,500 kg;

- Vehicle types specified for class B1 driving license.

(8) Class C is granted to drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:

- Trucks, including specialized trucks, specialized vehicles with a design load of 3,500 kg or more;

- Tractor pulling a trailer with a design load of 3,500 kg or more;

- Vehicle types specified for driving licenses class B1, B2.

(9) Class D is granted to drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:

- Passenger cars with 10 to 30 seats, including the driver's seat;

- Vehicle types specified for driving licenses of classes B1, B2 and C.

(10) Class E is granted to drivers to operate the following types of vehicles:

- Passenger cars with more than 30 seats;

- Vehicle types specified for driving licenses of classes B1, B2, C and D.

(11) People with driving licenses of classes B1, B2, C, D and E when driving the corresponding types of vehicles are allowed to pull an additional trailer with a design load of no more than 750 kg.

(12) Class F is granted to people who have driving licenses of classes B2, C, D and E to drive corresponding types of cars pulling trailers with a design load of more than 750 kg, semi-trailers, and passenger cars with attached carriages, specifically regulated as follows:

- Class FB2 is granted to car drivers to drive the types of vehicles specified in class B2 driving license with trailers and to drive the types of vehicles specified for class B1 and class B2 driving licenses;

- Class FC is granted to car drivers to drive the types of vehicles specified in the Class C driving license with trailers, tractors pulling semi-trailers and to drive the types of vehicles specified for Class B1, B2, C and Class FB2 driving licenses;

- Class FD is granted to car drivers to drive the types of vehicles specified in the class D driving license with trailers and to drive the types of vehicles specified for class B1, B2, C, D and FB2 driving licenses;

- Class FE is granted to car drivers to drive the types of vehicles specified in the class E driving license with trailers and to drive the following types of vehicles: passenger cars with trailers and types of vehicles specified for class B1, B2, C, D, E, FB2, FD driving licenses.

(13) The class of driving license used for drivers of sleeper buses and city buses (used for passenger transport business by bus) is implemented according to points (9) and (10) above. The number of seats on the vehicle is calculated according to the number of seats on a passenger bus of the same type or a car of equivalent limited size with only seats.

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