Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security

 

CIRCULAR

Regulations on examination, issuance of driver's licenses;

issuance, use of international driver's licenses

 

 

Pursuant to the Road Traffic Safety Law No. 36/2024/QH15 amended and supplemented by Law No. 118/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 02/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 18, 2025, regulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security, amended and supplemented by the Government Decree No. 11/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2025;

At the proposal of the Director of the Traffic Police Corps;

The Minister of Public Security issues this Circular regulating examinations, issuance of driver's licenses; issuance, use of international driver's licenses.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Circular regulates examinations, issuance, renewal, reissuance, revocation, use of driver's licenses; issuance, use of international driver's licenses; models of driver's licenses, models of international driver's licenses.

2. This Circular does not apply to examinations, issuance, renewal, reissuance, revocation of driver's licenses for military and police forces performing national defense and security duties.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to examinations, issuance, renewal, reissuance, revocation, use of driver's licenses; issuance, use of international driver's licenses.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Driver's license form number is a code number recorded by the manufacturer on the back of the driver's license, consisting of two letters and subsequent numbers.

2. Electronic driver's license is a driver's license presented in the form of data message, integrated into electronic data system, electronic identity account.

3. Electronic file for issuance, renewal, reissuance of driver's licenses is a collection of electronic documents related to the issuance, renewal, reissuance of driver's licenses.

4. Electronic examiner card is an examiner card presented in the form of data message, integrated into electronic data system.

5. International driver's license is a driver's license with the English name International Driving Permit, hereinafter referred to as IDP.

6. National driver's license is a driver's license issued by the competent authority of countries, valid within the territory of that country.

7. Electronic file for international driver's license is a collection of electronic documents related to the issuance of IDP.

8. Examination and driver's license information system is a collection of hardware, software, and data serving the management of information on examinations, issuance, renewal, reissuance, revocation of driver's licenses (also known as database on examinations and issuance of driver's licenses), including:

a) Examination information system at driving examination centers, Traffic Police Departments of provinces and cities (hereinafter referred to as Traffic Police Department) and Highway Police Corps;

b) Driver's license information system at Highway Police Corps, Traffic Police Department, Commune Police Stations, wards, special economic zones (hereinafter referred to as Commune Police Station) where reception points are arranged.

Chapter II

DRIVING LICENSE EXAMINATION

Article 4. Form, content, and procedure of driving examination

1. Theory examination

a) Theory examination: includes questions related to laws and regulations on road traffic safety; driving techniques; conduct of drivers, traffic culture, and prevention of the harmful effects of alcohol when participating in traffic; contents related to vehicle construction and common repairs, fire prevention and firefighting skills, rescue and first aid (for category B1 and above); contents related to road transport (for category C1 and above);

b) Theory examination is conducted on computers, except as provided for in Article 14 of this Circular;

c) Candidates applying for category A1 and A driver's licenses who have valid automobile driver's licenses are exempt from theory examination.

2. Practical driving examination in simulation

a) For category A1 and A

Conducted using direct scoring method combined with automatic scoring equipment. Candidates must operate motorcycles through examination route 1 and examination route 2;

b) For category B1

Conducted using direct scoring method without an examiner sitting in the examination vehicle. Candidates must operate the vehicle through the forward and reverse routes of the letter "S";

c) For categories B, C1, C, D1, D2, D

Conducted using a combination of automatic scoring equipment and in the Field of Teachers and Educational Institution Managers direct scoring; without an examiner sitting in the examination vehicle, except as provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 13 of this Circular. Candidates must operate the vehicle through a continuous examination route;

d) For categories BE, D1E, D2E, DE

Conducted using direct scoring method without an examiner sitting in the examination vehicle. Candidates must operate the vehicle through an examination route with five standard cones and return loop;

e) For category C1E, CE

Conducted using direct scoring method without an examiner sitting in the examination vehicle. Candidates must operate the vehicle through two examination routes with five standard cones and return loop; parallel parking.

3. Practical driving examination on public roads

a) For categories B, C1, C, D1, D2, D

Conducted using a combination of automatic scoring equipment and in the Field of Teachers and Educational Institution Managers direct scoring, with an examiner sitting in the examination vehicle;

b) For categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE

Conducted using direct scoring method, with an examiner sitting in the examination vehicle.

4. Content of driving examination

a) Categories A1 and A are implemented according to the provisions in Appendix I; category B1 is implemented according to the provisions in Appendix II attached to this Circular;

b) Categories B, C1, C, D1, D2, D are implemented according to the provisions in Appendix III, categories BE, D1E, D2E, DE are implemented according to the provisions in Appendix IV, category C1E, CE are implemented according to the provisions in Appendix V attached to this Circular.

5. Procedure for driving examination

a) Motorcycle examination

Candidates must complete the theory examination, examination route 1, examination route 2;

b) Car examination

Candidates must complete the theory examination, practical driving examination in simulation, practical driving examination on public roads.

Article 5. Technical standards for driving practice fields used for motorcycle driving license examinations

For driving practice fields equipped with computers for theoretical examination and automatic scoring devices for on-road driving examinations, the technical requirements must be met according to the national technical regulations on motor vehicle driving license examination centers, including: the layout of examination courses, examination vehicles, theoretical examination equipment, practical driving examination equipment, waiting rooms, theoretical examination rooms, and control rooms for automatic scoring of practical driving examinations.

Driving practice fields used for motorcycle driving license examinations must meet technical requirements as stipulated in the national technical regulations on motor vehicle driving license examination centers, including: the layout of examination courses, examination vehicles, theoretical examination equipment, practical driving examination equipment, waiting rooms, theoretical examination rooms, and control rooms for automatic scoring of practical driving examinations.

Article 6. Examination Board

1. The Examination Board is established by the decision organizing the driving license examination issued by the Head of the Traffic Police Department, consisting of:

a) The Chairman of the Board is the leader of the Traffic Police Department;

b) The Vice-Chairman of the Board is the commander of a team under the Traffic Police Department;

c) Members of the Board are leaders of the driving license examination center;

d) Examiners;

đ) Secretary of the Board.

2. In necessary cases, the Highway Police Corps establishes an examination board to organize driving license examinations at localities, consisting of:

a) The Chairman of the Board is the leader of the Highway Police Corps;

b) The Vice-Chairman of the Board is the leader of a department under the Highway Police Corps;

c) Members of the Board are leaders of the Traffic Police Department and leaders of the driving license examination center;

d) Examiners;

đ) Secretary of the Board.

3. The Examination Board must have at least two-thirds of its members present when conducting work. The Examination Board dissolves itself upon completion of the driving license examination period.

4. When performing examination duties, the Vice-Chairman, secretary, and examiners must have valid examiner cards.

5. Duties and powers of the Examination Board

a) Directing, inspecting, and requiring the completion of conditions for organizing the driving license examination period;

b) Assigning and scheduling plans for implementing the driving license examination period;

c) Publicizing and guiding examination regulations, internal rules, and other necessary provisions for examiners and candidates to know and comply with;

d) Inspecting examination vehicles, scoring devices, examination fields, and safety assurance plans during the examination process;

đ) Organizing the driving license examination period in accordance with regulations;

e) Preparing records of violations for handling according to authority or reporting and recommending competent authorities to handle violations according to regulations; preparing records of faults in examination vehicles, technical equipment, or other causes not due to candidate errors that distort examination results for the board to consider and decide;

g) If accidents occur during the organization of the driving license examination, the driving license examination center, training institutions, and candidates shall resolve them according to the law;

h) Summarizing the results of the driving license examination period and signing to confirm the record;

i) Sending examination period documents and materials for storage at the driving license examination center;

k) Performing other tasks to ensure the safe and effective conduct of the examination period;

l) Duties and powers of members of the Examination Board as prescribed in Appendix VI attached to this Circular.

Article 7. Standards for Examiners and Secretaries of the Examination Board

1. Standards for Examiners

a) They are officers belonging to the People's Public Security force;

b) They hold a driver's license for at least three years for categories A1, A, B1, B, C1, C, and at least one year for other categories, and still have points and validity;

c) They have been trained by the Highway Police Corps in examination procedures, passed the required tests, and received an examiner card;

d) For theoretical examinations, only an examiner card is required; for practical motorcycle driving examinations in categories A1 and A, only a motorcycle examiner card is required; for practical driving examinations in category B1, a B1 examiner card is required; for practical driving examinations in car categories (excluding categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE), only a car examiner card is required. For practical road driving examinations and practical driving examinations in categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE, the examiner can examine the corresponding vehicle category based on their examiner card, and a higher category examiner card allows examination of lower categories.

2. Standards for Secretaries: they are examiners currently working in the field of examinations and issuing driver's licenses within the Traffic Police force.

Article 8. Training, inspection, issuance, replacement, reissuance, and revocation of examination officer cards

1. Organizing training

a) Based on actual circumstances or upon the proposal of the Traffic Police Department, the Traffic Police Corps shall organize training to issue examination officer cards;

b) The Traffic Police Department shall review and prepare a list of officers (accompanied by two passport-sized photographs with white background, in accordance with the Regulation of the People's Public Security Forces, measuring 2 cm x 3 cm) who meet the criteria stipulated in points a and b of Clause 1, Article 7 of this Circular to participate in the training and send it to the Traffic Police Corps; c) The Traffic Police Corps shall receive and decide to organize training sessions along with a list of participants meeting the conditions to attend.

2. Training content

a) Theoretical and practical training includes the following contents:

Cultural behavior of examination officers when performing duties, communication skills.

Legal regulations system, standards, norms, procedures, and guidance related to driving license examination work.

General knowledge about the structure, operating principles of automatic scoring equipment, and methods for inspecting examination equipment; safety assurance plans during the organization of examinations; guidance on using software systems related to automatic scoring equipment; methods for scoring examination items through multiple-choice tests and automatic means; methods for scoring disabled persons and ethnic minorities who cannot read or write Vietnamese; steering wheel insurance methods during automobile driving examinations on public roads.

b) Practical training includes the following contents: practicing checking equipment serving and automatic scoring equipment; performing tasks of examination officers during theoretical examinations, driving examinations in simulated environments, and driving examinations on public roads; steering wheel insurance methods during driving examinations on public roads; practicing hypothetical situations when technical failures occur during examinations; advanced driving skills and other relevant contents.

3. Inspection

Trainees must ensure full participation in the training program to be eligible for inspection. The inspection at the end of the training program includes both theoretical and practical components.

4. Form of organizing training and inspection: centralized.

5. The Traffic Police Corps shall organize training and inspection.

6. Trainees who pass all inspection requirements will be issued an examination officer card according to the model prescribed in Appendix XIV attached to this Circular; in cases where trainees fail to meet the requirements in any inspection component, they must participate in the next training session to undergo inspection and obtain an examination officer card.

7. Examination officer cards have validity periods corresponding to the validity period of driving licenses; in cases where examination officer cards are revoked according to point c of Clause 12 of this Article, at least five years must elapse before being considered for training, inspection, and issuance of examination officer cards; in cases where cards are revoked according to point d of Clause 12 of this Article, at least three years must elapse before being considered for training, inspection, and issuance of examination officer cards.

8. Annually, the Traffic Police Corps shall organize inspections to evaluate the quality of examination officers, except for those who have held examination officer cards for less than one year from the date of issuance to the inspection date.

9. Issuing examination officer cards

a) Examination officer cards are issued to officers and soldiers meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1, Article 7 of this Circular;

b) Application documents include: a document from the directly managing unit accompanied by a list of officers and soldiers proposed for the Traffic Police Corps to organize training and issue examination officer cards; copies of valid driving licenses; two color passport-sized photographs with white background, wearing uniforms in accordance with the Regulation of the People's Public Security Forces, measuring 2 cm x 3 cm;

c) Procedure: based on the proposals of local police units, the Traffic Police Corps shall organize training and issue examination officer cards to qualified officers and soldiers.

10. Replacing examination officer cards

a) Examination officer cards are replaced when there are errors or changes in information;

b) Application documents for replacement include: a document from the directly managing unit accompanied by a list of officers and soldiers proposed for the Traffic Police Corps to replace examination officer cards; copies of valid driving licenses; two color passport-sized photographs taken against a white background, wearing uniforms in accordance with the Regulation of the People's Public Security Forces, measuring 2 cm x 3 cm; previously issued examination officer cards;

c) Procedure: the directly managing unit of officers and soldiers with examination officer cards shall prepare documents in accordance with point b of this clause and submit them to the Traffic Police Corps fifteen days before the expiration date of the examination officer card. Within three working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Director of the Traffic Police Corps shall replace the examination officer card; if not replaced, a written response with reasons must be provided.

11. Reissuing examination officer cards

a) Examination officer cards are reissued when lost;

b) Application documents for reissuance include: a document from the directly managing unit accompanied by a list of officers and soldiers proposed for the Traffic Police Corps to reissue examination officer cards; a commitment letter stating that the examination officer card will not be used for improper purposes or violations of laws; copies of valid driving licenses; two color passport-sized photographs taken against a white background, wearing uniforms in accordance with the Regulation of the People's Public Security Forces, measuring 2 cm x 3 cm;

c) Procedure: the directly managing unit of officers and soldiers with examination officer cards shall prepare documents in accordance with point b of this clause and submit them to the Traffic Police Corps. Within three working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Director of the Traffic Police Corps shall reissue the examination officer card; if not reissued, a written response with reasons must be provided.

12. Examination officer cards shall be revoked in the following cases:

a) Issued to incorrect individuals or without proper authority;

b) Examination officers no longer serve in the People's Public Security Forces;

c) Examination officers violate traffic laws twice within one year or cause road traffic accidents resulting in serious consequences or worse.

c) An examiner violates traffic laws and regulations concerning road traffic order and safety twice within one year or causes a road traffic accident with consequences ranging from serious upwards;

d) An examiner fails to follow the examination procedure, leading to distortion of the examination results of the examinee, resulting in changes to the driving license issuance outcome.

13. Examination withdrawal procedure for examiners' cards

Within five working days from the date the unit managing officers and soldiers issues a document requesting the withdrawal of the card or at the time of discovery that the examiner's card falls under circumstances requiring withdrawal, the Director of the Traffic Police Department shall issue a decision to withdraw the examiner's card and notify the unit managing officers and soldiers.

Article 9. Preparation for the examination period

1. Receiving applications

a) Electronic application for examination submitted online at National Public Service Portal send a text message National Identity Application or applications of the People's Public Security forces as prescribed before the driving license examination period at least seven working days;

b) In case of system failure or technical infrastructure not meeting requirements, submit the application directly to the Traffic Police Office.

2. Upon receiving a direct application for examination to issue a driving license, the Traffic Police Office shall check and verify the conditions of the examinee according to Articles 15 and 16 of this Circular; approve the examinee's application, prepare a record of the application review according to Model No. 01 Appendix VII issued together with this Circular, and inform the applicant of the time and place of the examination period; for invalid applications, inform and guide the applicant to complete the application according to regulations.

3. The Traffic Police Office bases on the number of examinees for the examination, conducts a review and arranges members of the examination board.

4. The Traffic Police Office issues a decision to organize the driving license examination period according to Model No. 04 Appendix VII along with a list of examinees applying for a driving license according to Model No. 06 Appendix VII, and a list of examinees holding expired driving licenses applying for a driving license according to Model No. 05 Appendix VII issued together with this Circular.

5. At least two working days prior to the driving license examination period, the Traffic Police Office must report to the Traffic Police Department about the decision to organize the examination period, and notify the examination center, examinees about the time and place of the examination. Notifications are made through the National Public Service Portal, electronic identity accounts, or other appropriate methods.

Article 10. Examination organization procedures

1. Meeting of the examination board and opening ceremony of the driving license examination

a) Before organizing the examination, the Chairman of the examination board convenes a meeting of the board, assigns tasks to each member of the examination board;

b) Organize the opening ceremony of the driving license examination to announce the decision to organize the examination period, and disseminate relevant contents of the driving license examination to the examinees.

2. Conducting the examination according to the forms, contents, and examination procedures stipulated in Article 4 and Appendices I, II, III, IV, and V issued together with this Circular.

3. Conclusion of the driving license examination period

The Chairman of the examination board convenes a meeting of the board, the Supervision Team (if any), and the Secretary of the board reports the examination results. The Chairman of the examination board reviews and agrees with the consolidated examination results record with the board members, signs and stamps the consolidated examination results record according to Model No. 03 Appendix VI issued together with this Circular. The Chairman of the examination board signs and stamps the examination results record of the examinee according to Appendix VIII issued together with this Circular.

The consolidated examination results record of the successful examinee is the original document, handed over to the successful examinee for self-preservation when returning the driving license. The Traffic Police Office integrates the consolidated examination results record of the examinee into the examination and driving license issuance information system.

Article 11. Supervision of Driving License Examination Periods

1. Based on actual circumstances, the Traffic Police Department shall establish a Supervision Team to organize supervision of driving license examination periods.

2. Composition of the Supervision Team:

a) Traffic Police Department officers assigned the task of managing examinations and issuing driving licenses, holding valid examiner cards; b) Officers with specialized knowledge in road traffic regulations from the Department of Legal Affairs and Administrative Reform, Justice;

c) The minimum number of supervisors for motorcycle driving license examinations is two, and for automobile driving license examinations is three.

3. When performing supervision tasks during driving license examination periods, supervisory officers must wear People's Public Security uniforms.

4. Tasks of the Supervision Team when supervising driving license examination periods:

a) Supervise the organization of the examination board, ensuring that the examination content and procedures are carried out correctly, guaranteeing transparency, objectivity, and fairness throughout the examination process;

b) Supervisory officers work independently and do not perform the duties of examiners.

5. Authority of the Supervision Team:

a) When violations are detected, they must prepare a record and promptly propose that the examination board handle them according to regulations;

b) In cases of serious violations related to examination content, procedures, or results, the Supervision Team must prepare a record and report to the Director of the Traffic Police Department and the Provincial Public Security Director for review and handling within their authority.

6. At the end of the driving license examination period, the Supervision Team must submit a written report on the supervision results to the Director of the Traffic Police Department.

Article 12. Recognition of Examination Results

1. Consideration of recognition of examination results for candidates taking driving license examinations for categories A1, A, and B1:

a) Candidates who pass both the theoretical and practical driving examinations in the simulator will be recognized as having passed the driving license examination period;

b) Candidates who fail the theoretical examination will not be allowed to take the first practical examination, and those who fail the first practical examination will not be allowed to take the second practical examination;

c) Candidates may retain the results of the theoretical examination for one year from the date of passing the examination; retain the result of the first practical examination for the remaining retention period of the theoretical examination portion; if they wish to retake the examination, they must have a valid driver’s health check certificate (electronic version); in cases where electronic versions cannot be used due to technical issues, paper versions issued by qualified medical facilities according to laws on medical examination and treatment must be provided, and the candidate's name must be included in the previous examination board's absence or failure confirmation record or in the driving license examination information system or provide a valid file or electronic file data;

d) Candidates whose examination results are unsatisfactory may register to retake the examination in other examination periods. 2. Consideration of recognition of examination results for candidates participating in driving license examinations for categories B, C1, C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE: a) Candidates who pass the theoretical examination, the practical driving examination in the simulator, and the practical driving examination on the road will be recognized as having passed the driving license examination period;

b) Candidates who fail the theoretical examination will not be allowed to take the practical driving examination in the simulator, and those who fail the practical driving examination in the simulator will not be allowed to take the practical driving examination on the road. Candidates may retain the results of the theoretical examination for one year from the date of passing the examination; retain the result of the practical driving examination in the simulator for the remaining retention period of the theoretical examination portion; if they wish to retake the examination, they must have a valid driver’s health check certificate (electronic version); in cases where electronic versions are not available, paper versions issued by qualified medical facilities according to laws on medical examination and treatment must be provided, and the candidate's name must be included in the previous examination board's absence or failure confirmation record or in the driving license examination information system or provide a valid file or electronic file data;

c) Candidates whose examination results are unsatisfactory may register to retake the examination in other examination periods.

3. Within two hours from the end of the driving license examination period, the Traffic Police Department will review and compile the results and transfer the data of those who have passed the examination to the Traffic Police Department for issuance of electronic driving licenses.

4. Candidates who bring examination materials, mobile phones, or technical equipment into the theoretical examination room or on the examination vehicle, or engage in other deceptive behaviors that distort examination results will have their examination results suspended or canceled. In cases where automatic scoring technical equipment malfunctions or other reasons unrelated to the candidate's fault distort examination results, the examination results will be canceled and the candidate will be allowed to retake the examination.

5. Candidates who do not pass the examination can register to retake it at the receiving unit according to Clause 1, Article 9 of this Circular.

6. Candidates who need to take the examination due to expired driving licenses and require issuance of a lower category driving license must register and assume responsibility for the registration content.

4. A candidate who brings examination materials, mobile phones, or technical devices into the theoretical examination room or on the practical examination vehicle; engages in other fraudulent acts that distort the examination results shall be disqualified and their examination results nullified. In cases where automatic scoring devices or other reasons not due to the candidate's fault cause distortion of the examination results, the examination results will be nullified and the candidate will be allowed to retake the examination.

5. Candidates who fail the examination may reapply for examination at the receiving unit as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 9 of this Circular.

6. In cases where candidates apply for examination due to expired driving licenses and require examination for issuance of a lower-class driving license than the class on their current license, they must register and take responsibility for the registration content.

Article 13. Examination for driving licenses for persons with disabilities

1. Examination to issue a Class A1 motorcycle driving license for three-wheeled motorcycles

a) The examinee shall carry out theoretical examination and driving examination in simulated conditions according to the content and sequence prescribed in Clause 1 and 2 of Article 4 and Appendix I issued together with this Circular; the examination shall be conducted at a driving license examination center or a training ground equipped for motorcycle driving examinations, with two examiners directly scoring the examinee;

b) The examination format shall comply with the provisions of the National Technical Regulations on driving license examination centers for motor vehicles.

2. Examination to issue a Class B automatic transmission driving license

a) Examination to issue a Class B automatic transmission driving license for persons with disabilities in the right foot, right hand, or left hand: the examinee shall complete the examination content and sequence as prescribed in Article 4 of this Circular; the examination shall be conducted at a driving license examination center, with two examiners sitting in the vehicle to directly score the driving examination in simulated conditions and on the road;

b) Examination to issue a Class B automatic transmission driving license for persons with disabilities, except those with disabilities in the right foot, right hand, or left hand: the examinee shall complete the examination content and sequence as prescribed in Article 4 of this Circular; the examination shall be conducted at a driving license examination center.

Article 14. Examination to issue a Class A1 motorcycle driving license for ethnic minority candidates who cannot read or write Vietnamese

1. Theory examination

a) The theoretical examination content includes questions related to traffic regulations; driving techniques; driver conduct rules, traffic culture, and prevention of the harmful effects of alcohol when participating in traffic;

b) The theoretical examination shall be conducted in question-and-answer form using a multiple-choice test method on paper as prescribed in Section II Part A of Appendix I issued together with this Circular.

2. The practical driving examination in simulated conditions shall be carried out according to the provisions of point a of Clause 2, point a of Clause 4, and point a of Clause 5 of Article 4 of this Circular.

Article 15. Candidates for driving license examination

1. Age (as of the date of the driving license examination) and health status as prescribed in Clause 1 and 2 of Article 59 of the Road Traffic Safety Law.

2. Confirmation from the driving school that the candidate has completed the driving course or obtained a basic certificate or a certificate confirming completion of the driving course in accordance with the regulations..

Article 16. Application Documents for Driving License Examination

1. The application documents for the examination submitted by the driving school include: a report requesting the organization of the examination according to Model 02 of Appendix VII attached with a list of candidates requesting the examination to obtain a driving license according to Model 03 of Appendix VII issued together with this Circular and individual application documents for the examination as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. Individual application documents for the examination shall be submitted in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 9 of this Circular, including:

a) Basic certificate or training certificate or confirmation of completion of the training course for candidates applying for Class A1, A, B1, B, C1, C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, DE driving license examinations;

b) Valid medical certificate of the driver (electronic version), in case of system failure, a paper version issued by a medical facility meeting the legal requirements for medical examination and treatment shall be used;

c) Copy or electronic copy of one of the following documents: diplomatic identity card, official identity card, visa or residence permit valid for at least 90 days, permanent residence card (for foreigners). In cases where individuals submit copies, they must present the original for verification; if individuals submit copies or electronic copies with the legal validity to replace the original, they do not need to present the original;

d) Summary record of results from previous examination sessions for candidates who did not pass the examination and wish to reapply for the examination.

3. Application documents for the examination to renew a driving license that has exceeded its validity period shall be submitted in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 9 of this Circular, including:

a) Copy of the driving license, in case the driving license is lost, information about the driving license shall be provided;

b) Copy or electronic copy of one of the following documents: diplomatic identity card, official identity card, visa or residence permit valid for at least 90 days, permanent residence card (for foreigners). In cases where individuals submit copies or electronic copies without certification, they must present the original for verification; if individuals submit copies or electronic copies with the legal validity to replace the original, they do not need to present the original;

c) Military driving license issued by the Ministry of Defense or confirmation from the issuing authority in case of loss of the military driving license (for military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of Defense);

d) Valid medical certificate of the driver (electronic version), in case of system failure, a paper version issued by a medical facility meeting the legal requirements for medical examination and treatment shall be used;

đ) Copy of documents proving termination of service in the People's Army or the People's Public Security Force (for military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of Defense and driving licenses within the People's Public Security Force).

Article 17. Archiving examination result files

1. After each driving license examination period, The Traffic Police Department shall be responsible for archiving the examination period's file, including: a) Decision on organizing the driving license examination period;

b) List of candidates participating in the examination;

c) Record of candidate file inspection;

d) Report and proposal for organizing the examination along with the list of candidates participating in the examination and the list of members of the Examination Board;

đ) Record of task assignment of the Driving License Examination Board;

e) Summary record of the examination results of the examination period;

g) List of candidates who passed, were absent, or failed in various examination contents.

2. In cases where a driving school has a training ground used to conduct motorcycle driving license examinations, it must archive monitoring data; theoretical and practical driving examination results data within two years.

3. The Driving License Examination Center shall archive the examination period's file, including:

a) Documents specified in points a, e, g of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Monitoring data including: theoretical and practical driving examination results data in simulation and practical driving examination on the road.

4. Candidates shall keep the summary record of examination results themselves.

5. Archiving period for files

a) Five years for documents specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Two years for documents specified in point b of Clause 3 of this Article.

6. The General Department of Highway Police shall be responsible for guiding the Traffic Police Department to implement digitalization and archiving of examination result file data.

ISSUANCE, RENEWAL, REISSUE, REVOCATION OF DRIVING LICENSES

Chapter III

Article 18. Sample of driving license, use and management of driving licenses

1. The General Department of Highway Police manages the issuance, renewal, and reissue of driving licenses nationwide; provides blank forms and materials for printing driving licenses to the Traffic Police Department. The General Department of Highway Police or the Traffic Police Department shall organize printing and issuing driving licenses according to the sample prescribed in Appendix IX issued together with this Circular.

2. Driving licenses are issued in electronic form or on PET material. Each person is issued one driving license number applicable to both unlimited and time-limited driving licenses.

3. Individuals who wish to integrate an unlimited driving license with a time-limited driving license shall register and process the exchange of driving licenses according to Articles 21, 22, 23, and 24 of this Circular.

4. Holders of driving licenses may drive vehicle categories listed on their driving licenses.

5. When exchanging or issuing upgraded driving licenses, the Traffic Police Department shall collect old driving licenses (if any) and destroy them in accordance with legal regulations on archiving.

6. Holders of automatic transmission category B driving licenses are not allowed to drive manual transmission vehicles (stick shift).

7. Foreign individuals or Vietnamese residing abroad wishing to drive in Vietnam shall proceed as follows:

a) If they have a national driving license, they must process the exchange for a corresponding Vietnamese driving license;

b) In cases where international treaties on driving licenses to which Vietnam is a party provide otherwise, such treaty provisions shall apply.

8. Driving licenses made of PET material and those issued from January 1, 2025, and driving licenses issued before the effective date of this Circular are valid driving licenses issued by authorized agencies, bearing serial numbers, issue dates, and expiration dates printed on the driving license that match the serial numbers, issue dates, and expiration dates in the driving license management information system or have driving license information integrated into electronic identity accounts or applications of the People's Public Security forces.

9. The validity period of category D driving licenses for cases where the holder is issued, renewed, or reissued without having reached five years since issuance, renewal, or reissue at the maximum age permitted to operate, which is 57 years for males and 55 years for females, shall be calculated from the date of issuance, renewal, or reissue to the remaining period based on the maximum age.

9. The validity period of a Class D driving license issued to individuals who are granted, renewed, or reissued when they have not reached five years of age since issuance, renewal, or reissuance, with the maximum permissible age being fifty-seven years old for males and fifty-five years old for females, shall be calculated from the date of issuance, renewal, or reissuance until the remaining period according to the maximum age limit.

Article 19. Issuance of Driving Licenses

1. The Traffic Police Corps shall issue electronic driving licenses to individuals who have successfully completed the driving examination and integrated into the electronic data system within two hours from the end of the driving examination period. In cases where citizens request paper driving licenses made of PET material, the Traffic Police Corps or the Traffic Police Office shall organize printing and issuing of such licenses within three and a half working days from the end of the driving examination; issuance of driving licenses to successful candidates shall be conducted at the Traffic Police Office or through training institutions (if available), examination centers, or postal services upon individual requests.

2. Issuance of driving licenses to individuals holding expired automobile driving licenses of various categories, those who have lost their automobile driving licenses which have exceeded their validity period, including military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense and driving licenses for public security personnel that are no longer valid due to cessation of national defense and security duties, shall be carried out as follows:

a) Individuals falling under the above circumstances must have their names registered in the driving license information system maintained by the Traffic Police Corps or listed in the driving license issuance record book (management ledger). In cases where military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense are lost, confirmation from the issuing authority is required before they can take the following examinations:

Where the driving license has exceeded its validity period by thirty days up to less than one year from the expiration date until the submission of complete and valid application documents, theoretical examination must be taken to obtain a driving license as stipulated in point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular.

Where the driving license has exceeded its validity period by one year or more from the expiration date, both theoretical and practical driving examinations in simulated and on-road conditions must be taken to obtain a driving license as stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and 3, Article 4 of this Circular.

Application procedures for the examination shall comply with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 16 of this Circular;

b) Individuals whose driving licenses are specified in point a of this clause may register with driving schools or examination centers to receive guidance for review and preparation if needed;

c) In cases where individuals whose driving licenses are specified in point a of this clause fail the examination, they may register with the Traffic Police Office to retake the examination if desired.

3. Driving licenses shall not be issued to individuals who have violated traffic laws and regulations concerning road traffic safety and order without completing the requirements set forth by competent authorities regarding administrative violation resolution and handling in the field of road traffic safety and order.

Article 20. Reissuance of Driving Licenses

1. Individuals holding valid driving licenses that have been lost may apply for reissue of their driving licenses. The reissuance of lost driving licenses shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 2, 3, and 4, Article 21 of this Circular..

2. Reissuance of driving licenses shall not be granted in the following cases: where the driving license information is not recorded in the driving license information system maintained by the Traffic Police Corps or not listed in the driving license issuance record book (management ledger); where individuals have violated traffic laws and regulations concerning road traffic safety and order without completing the requirements set forth by competent authorities regarding administrative violation resolution and handling in the field of road traffic safety and order.

Article 21. Exchange of Driver's License

1. Cases for exchanging driver's license exchange of driver's license

a) The holder of a driver's license that is damaged and no longer usable;

b) Vietnamese citizens or foreigners who already have a driver's license issued by competent authorities of Vietnam before its expiration date and wish to exchange it;

c) In cases where the date of birth, surname, given name, middle name, nationality recorded on the driver's license differ from those recorded in the citizen identification card, identity card, or passport, the competent authority shall process the exchange of a new driver's license consistent with the information recorded in the citizen identification card, identity card, or passport;

d) Individuals wishing to integrate an unlimited-term driver's license with a term-limited driver's license;

e) Driver's licenses shall not be exchanged in the following cases: the applicant does not have the previously issued driver's license and the driver's license information is not found in the traffic police department's driver's license information system or in the list of issued driver's licenses (management book); individuals violating road traffic regulations have not completed the requirements set by state agencies regarding administrative violations in the field of road traffic safety;

2. Documents required for exchanging driver's license include:

a) A valid health certificate of the driver (electronic version), if the electronic version cannot be used due to technical issues, then a paper version issued by a medical facility meeting the legal requirements for medical examination and treatment shall be used;

b) Passport still within its validity period (for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese);

c) Other documents reflecting information for comparison if the case is as stipulated in point c, Clause 1 of this Article;

3. Implementation Procedures

a) An individual must prepare one set of documents in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article and submit it online through the National Public Service Portal or the National Identity Application or other applications of the People's Public Security Force; the application must be filled out according to the guidelines, and the individual must bear responsibility for the accuracy and legality of the information provided and complete the obligation to pay the fee for exchanging the driver's license and other service fees as needed; National Public Service Portal or National Identity Application or applications of the People's Public Security Forces; the application form must be filled out in accordance with the guidelines, the individual must bear responsibility for the accuracy and legality of the information provided, and must fulfill the obligation to pay the fee for renewing the driving license as prescribed and pay additional service fees as required by the individual.

If the individual has not obtained Level 2 national identity, or if there is no driver's license data in the driver's license information system, or due to errors in the National Public Service Portal, the application must be submitted directly at the local police station or Traffic Police Department. The individual must take a direct photo or send one white background portrait photo measuring 3 cm x 4 cm at the application submission location or use an image from the citizen identification data and complete the obligation to pay the fee;

b) Traffic Police Departments or Commune Police Stations shall check the application forms, retrieve information about the driving license from the driving license information system; if there is no information, verification must be conducted according to Form No. 01 Appendix X attached to this Circular; retrieve the violator's records, enter electronic information; print out the result notification slip.

If the driving license does not fall under the category eligible for renewal, the non-receipt of the application form must be notified; if the application form does not comply with the regulations, the individual must be instructed to supplement or amend the necessary contents within two working days from the date of receipt of the application form;

c) The Traffic Police Department transfers the data to the General Traffic Police Department for centralized management and issuance of driver's licenses, integrating driver's licenses on National Identity Application or applications of the People's Public Security Force as prescribed within one day from the date of receiving all valid documents. If the individual requests, the General Traffic Police Department or the Traffic Police Department will organize printing and delivering the driver's license within 2.5 working days from the date of receiving all valid documents;

d) Issuing the driving license shall be carried out at the Traffic Police Department or Commune Police Station where the application point is located or through postal services upon request of the individual; in cases where the application form is submitted online via National Public Service Portal send a text message National Identity Application or applications of the People's Public Security Forces, the driving license shall be delivered directly to the individual applying for the renewal of the driving license.

4. In cases where the driver wishes to downgrade their driver's license, they must register with the agency receiving the application;

5. The original documents for exchanging driver's license, as specified in Clause 2 of this Article, shall be kept by the driver themselves.

Article 22. Exchange of Military Driving Licenses Issued by the Ministry of National Defense

1. Requirements for exchanging military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense when no longer serving in the Military

a) Individuals holding military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense that are still valid and wish to exchange for a driving license;

b) A military driving license with validity for multiple vehicle categories may be exchanged for a driving license with validity for corresponding vehicle categories; a military driving license category CX can be exchanged for a driving license category C;

c) Individuals holding military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense who have violated laws on traffic order and safety must have completed the requirements of competent state agencies regarding administrative violation resolution and handling in the field of traffic order and safety.

2. The documents include:

a) A copy of documents proving no longer serving in the People's Army forces;

b) A valid driver's health certificate (electronic version); if the electronic version cannot be used due to technical issues, then use a paper version issued by a medical facility meeting the standards stipulated by law on medical examination and treatment;

c) A military driving license still within its validity period or a confirmation from a competent authority of the Ministry of National Defense regarding the issuance of a military driving license and its current validity status.

3. Implementation Procedures

a) An individual submits directly one set of application documents as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article to the Traffic Police Office or the Police Station of the commune, takes a direct photograph or uses a photo from the citizen identification data, or sends a passport-sized photo with a white background measuring 3 cm x 4 cm at the place where the documents are received, presents the original copies of the documents specified in point a of Clause 2 of this Article for verification, and must complete the obligation to pay fees as prescribed;

b) The Traffic Police Office or the Police Station of the commune checks the application documents, searches for traffic violations committed by the driver, implements electronic information entry; prints out a receipt for the result notification.

In cases where the driving license does not fall under the scope eligible for exchange, it must notify the non-receipt of the application documents; in cases where the application documents do not comply with the regulations, guide the individual to supplement or modify the required contents within two working days from the date of receiving the application documents.

In case of suspicion, the Traffic Police Office shall issue a document requesting the relevant functional unit of the Ministry of National Defense to verify the issued driving license according to Model No. 01 Appendix X issued together with this Circular. If there is no verification result of the driving license or the verification result shows that the driving license was not issued by the Ministry of National Defense, the driving license will not be exchanged;

c) The Traffic Police Department transfers the data to the General Traffic Police Department for centralized management and issuance of driver's licenses, integrating driver's licenses on National Identity Application or the applications of the People's Public Security forces in accordance with the regulations within one day from the date of receiving all valid application documents. In case individuals request, the General Traffic Police Department or the Traffic Police Office shall organize printing and delivering the driving license within 2.5 working days from the date of receiving all valid application documents;

d) The delivery of the driving license shall be carried out at the agency receiving the application documents or through postal services upon the individual's request.

4. In cases where the driver wishes to downgrade their driver's license, they must register with the agency receiving the application;

5. The application dossier for exchanging military driving licenses consists of the documents prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article, which is handed over to the driver for safekeeping, except for the documents prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 26 of this Circular.

Article 23. Exchange of Driving Licenses within the People's Public Security Force

1. Requirements for exchanging driving licenses within the People's Public Security Force when no longer serving in the public security force

a) Individuals holding valid driving licenses that have not been lost or damaged but still have remaining validity periods, and whose information is recorded in the driving license information system at the Traffic Police Corps or in the list of issued driving licenses (management book) who wish to exchange their driving licenses;

b) Individuals holding motorcycle driving licenses made of paper that have not been erased and contain all necessary information on the license who wish to exchange their driving licenses;

c) Exchanging driving licenses will not be allowed in cases where the information has been erased; individuals who have violated traffic laws and regulations and have not yet completed the requirements set by competent state agencies regarding administrative violations in the field of traffic safety; individuals whose information is not recorded in the driving license information system at the Traffic Police Corps or in the list of issued driving licenses (management book).

2. Documents for exchanging driving licenses

a) Driving licenses in cases where they are not in the management database of driving licenses within the People's Public Security Force or in the driving license management book; a declaration in cases where the driving license has been lost but the original documents are still available;

b) A copy of the document proving the individual is no longer serving in the People's Public Security Force or a letter from the unit requesting the exchange of driving licenses within the People's Public Security Force for work purposes;

c) A valid health certificate of the driver (electronic version); if the electronic version cannot be used due to technical issues, a paper version from a medical facility meeting the standards stipulated by law on medical examination and treatment shall be used.

3. Implementation Procedures

a) Individuals submit one complete set of documents as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article directly to the Traffic Police Office or the local police station; individuals take a direct photo or use a photo from the citizen identification data or send a white background portrait photo with dimensions of 3 cm x 4 cm at the document submission location, present the original documents specified in Point b of Clause 2 of this Article for verification, and must fulfill the obligation to pay fees as prescribed;

b) The Traffic Police Office or the local police station check the documents, retrieve information about the driving license from the driving license information system within the People's Public Security Force, verify the information if it is not available using Form 01 Appendix X issued together with this Circular, check the driver's violation records, enter electronic information, print out the appointment receipt for results.

If the driving license does not fall under the category eligible for renewal, the non-receipt of the application form must be notified; if the application form does not comply with the regulations, the individual must be instructed to supplement or amend the necessary contents within two working days from the date of receipt of the application form;

c) The Traffic Police Department transfers the data to the General Traffic Police Department for centralized management and issuance of driver's licenses, integrating driver's licenses on National Identity Application or applications of the People's Public Security Force as prescribed within one day from the date of receiving all valid documents. If the individual requests, the General Traffic Police Department or the Traffic Police Department will organize printing and delivering the driver's license within 2.5 working days from the date of receiving all valid documents;

d) The delivery of the driving license shall be carried out at the agency receiving the application documents or through postal services upon the individual's request.

4. In cases where the driver wishes to downgrade their driver's license, they must register with the agency receiving the application;

5. Original documents, including those specified in Clause 2 of this Article, are handed over to the driver for safekeeping,except for the documents specified in Clause 2 of Article 26 of this Circular.

Article 24. Exchange of Foreign Driving Licenses

1. Requirements for exchanging foreign driving licenses

a) Foreigners residing, working, or studying in Vietnam with national driving licenses that are still valid and hold one of the following documents: diplomatic identity card, service identity card, visa or temporary residence permit valid for 90 days or more, or permanent residence permit if valid, may apply to exchange for corresponding Vietnamese driving licenses based on the validity period of the driving license, visa, temporary residence permit, or permanent residence permit;

b) Vietnamese citizens (holding Vietnamese nationality) residing, studying, or working abroad continuously for three months or more and holding a valid national driving license issued by a competent authority abroad may apply to exchange for corresponding Vietnamese driving licenses if they need to drive in Vietnam;

c) Temporary foreign driving licenses; international driving licenses; foreign driving licenses that have expired, been erased, torn, or damaged and no longer contain sufficient information for exchange, or have differences in recognition; foreign driving licenses not issued by a competent authority will not be exchanged.

2. The documents include:

a) A Vietnamese translation of the foreign driving license certified by a Notary Public in Vietnam or a translation by a Vietnamese representative office abroad where the translator works, stamped across the copy of the driving license;

b) A valid health certificate of the driver (electronic version); if the electronic version cannot be used due to technical issues, a paper version from a medical facility meeting the standards stipulated by law on medical examination and treatment shall be used (except for foreigners exchanging driving licenses according to the duration indicated on their entry visa or temporary residence permit);

c) A copy or electronic copy of one of the following documents: diplomatic identity card, service identity card, visa or temporary residence permit valid for 90 days or more, or permanent residence permit (for foreigners). In cases where individuals submit copies or electronic copies without certification, they must present the originals for verification; in cases where individuals submit copies or electronic copies with the value of originals as prescribed by law on certification, they do not need to present the originals.

3. Implementation Procedures

a) Individuals submit one complete set of documents as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article directly to the Traffic Police Office or the local police station where the document submission point is arranged or online at the National Public Service Portal.

In cases of submitting documents directly, individuals take a direct photo or use a photo from the citizen identification data or send a white background portrait photo with dimensions of 3 cm x 4 cm at the document submission location and must present the originals of the above documents (except for the originals already submitted) for verification and must fulfill the obligation to pay fees as prescribed.

In cases of submitting documents online at National Public Service Portal, use photos from the citizen identification data or individuals update their own photos, individuals declare according to instructions, bear responsibility for the accuracy and legality of the declared content, and must fulfill the obligation to pay the driving license exchange fee through the payment function of the National Public Service Portal as prescribed and pay other service fees as needed by the individual;

b) In case there are doubts about the entry, residence of foreigners in Vietnam, and the training, examination, and issuance of driving licenses abroad, the agency responsible for exchanging driving licenses shall issue a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Management Department, and the Provincial Public Security Traffic Police Departments to verify such matters.

c) If the driving license application is valid, the Traffic Police Department Office or the Commune Police Station where the electronic information reception point is located will print out a notification of the result appointment; if the driving license is not exchanged, a written response must be provided with clear reasons stated.

d) The Traffic Police Department transfers the data to the General Traffic Police Department to manage centrally and issue driving licenses, electronic driving licenses are integrated into the National Identity Application or other applications of the People's Public Security Forces within one day from the date of receiving complete and valid documents. If citizens have a need, the Traffic Police Corps or the Traffic Police Department will organize printing and returning the driving license within 2.5 working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents.

đ) The return of the driving license shall be carried out at the agency that received the application or through postal services according to the individual's request.

4. The original application for exchanging a driving license is given to the driver for self-preservation and includes all documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article and foreign driving licenses, except for the documents specified in Clause 3 of Article 26 of this Circular.

5. Validity period and categories of vehicles allowed to operate

a) The validity period of the Vietnamese driving license issued to foreigners shall correspond to the validity period recorded on one of the documents specified in Point a, Clause 1 of this Article, but shall not exceed the validity period of the Vietnamese driving license.

b) A national driving license issued to individuals who exchange it may allow them to operate multiple vehicle categories corresponding to those permitted under the foreign driving license.

Article 25. Revocation of Driving Licenses

1. The competent authority issuing driving licenses shall carry out revocation procedures as follows:

a) For driving licenses already registered in the electronic data system, within three working days from the date of discovering that the holder falls under one of the cases stipulated in Clause 5 of Article 62 of the Road Traffic Safety Law amended and supplemented by Law No. 118/2025/QH15, the Director of the Traffic Police Corps shall issue a decision to revoke and cancel the driving license (the content of the decision clearly states the reasons for revocation and cancellation) and remove the electronic driving license from the National Identity Application or other applications of the People's Public Security Forces as prescribed; the individual does not need to return the driving license.

b) For driving licenses not registered in the electronic data system, within three working days from the date of discovering that the holder falls under one of the cases stipulated in Clause 5 of Article 62 of the Road Traffic Safety Law amended and supplemented by Law No. 118/2025/QH15, the Head of the Traffic Police Department shall issue a decision to revoke and cancel the driving license (the content of the decision clearly states the reasons for revocation and cancellation). Within five working days from the date of receiving the revocation decision, the individual must submit the revoked driving license to the Traffic Police Department. The Traffic Police Department is responsible for receiving, canceling, and reporting the revoked driving license to the Traffic Police Corps as prescribed.

2. Handling of revoked driving licenses

a) Driving licenses revoked according to Points a and b, Clause 5 of Article 62 of the Road Traffic Safety Law; the application process and procedures for reissuing driving licenses shall be carried out according to Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 21 of this Circular.

b) Driving licenses revoked according to Point c, Clause 5 of Article 62 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, the driving license management agency shall update violation data on the driving license information system at the Traffic Police Corps from the date of discovery of the violation; additionally, the violator shall not be issued a driving license for a period of five years from the date of discovery of the violation; after the five-year period from the date of discovery of the violation, if there is a need to reissue a driving license, the violator must undergo training and examination as if applying for a driving license for the first time.

Article 26. Storage of Application Files for Changing Driver's Licenses

1. The application files for changing driver's licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense include: a copy of the military driver's license still within its validity period or confirmation from the competent authority of the Ministry of National Defense regarding the issuance of a military driver's license and its current validity status.

2. The application files for changing driver's licenses within the People's Public Security when no longer serving in the public security force include:

a) A copy of the driver's license in cases where it is not included in the management database of driver's licenses within the People's Public Security or the driver's license management book.

b) A commitment statement in cases where the driver's license has been lost but the original file remains.

c) A copy of the document proving no longer serving in the public security force or a letter from the unit requesting to change the driver's license within the People's Public Security for work requirements.

3. Application files for changing driver's licenses of foreign nationals

a) A certified translation of the foreign driver's license into Vietnamese by a notary office in Vietnam or a translation by a Vietnamese representative office abroad where the translator works, stamped with a matching seal on a copy of the driver's license.

b) A copy or electronic copy of one of the following documents: diplomatic identification card, service identification card, visa, or temporary residence card valid for at least 90 days or permanent residence card still valid (for foreign nationals).

4. The storage period for application files: two years for the application files specified in Clause 1, 2, and 3 of this Article.

5. The entity receiving the application files for changing driver's licenses is responsible for storing the application files specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article. The Traffic Police Department is responsible for guiding local public security units to implement digitalization and data storage of the application files specified in this Article.

Chapter IV

ISSUANCE AND USE OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSES

Article 27. Model of International Driving Permit (IDP)

1. IDP is a booklet with size A6 (148 mm x 105 mm), featuring security markings, gray cover, and white pages inside according to the model prescribed in Appendix XI. promulgated together with this Circular.

2. Page 1 (cover page) contains basic information about the IDP printed in both Vietnamese and English; Page 2 specifies the scope of use of the IDP printed in both Vietnamese and English, Page 3 specifies the declaration section about the driver and IDP classification printed in Vietnamese, Page 4 is blank, Page 5 specifies the declaration section about the driver and IDP classification printed in English, Page 6 specifies the declaration section about the driver and IDP classification printed in Russian, Page 7 specifies the declaration section about the driver and IDP classification printed in Spanish, Page 8 specifies the declaration section about the driver and IDP classification printed in French, Page 9 specifies the vehicle categories that can be driven printed in French.

3. The IDP number consists of the country code for international traffic of Vietnam, which is VN, followed by 12 digits representing the national driver's license number.

Article 28. Vehicle Categories Controlled by International Driving Permits

The vehicle categories permitted to drive under the IDP correspond to the vehicle categories of the national driver's license issued by Vietnam as prescribed in Appendix XII. promulgated together with this Circular.

Article 29. Issuance of International Driving Permits

1. For Vietnamese citizens and foreign nationals holding a valid national driver's license issued by Vietnam, the process is as follows:

a) Application files for IDP: individuals apply directly at the Traffic Police Department or District Traffic Police Office or online at National Public Service Portal;

b) Procedure for issuing IDP:

In case of direct application, the original national driver's license issued by Vietnam must be presented, individuals may have their photograph taken directly or submit one passport-sized photo, 3 cm x 4 cm, white background, passport, permanent residence card (for foreign nationals) to verify the accuracy and legality of the IDP issuance and must complete the obligation to pay fees upon acceptance of the application file according to regulations. In case of online application at National Public Service Portal, individuals fill out the application according to instructions and bear responsibility for the accuracy and legality of the information provided, and must complete the obligation to pay fees through the payment function of National Public Service Portal and pay other service fees as required by the individual.

The agency receiving the application file enters the electronic information; prints a receipt for the result after accepting a valid application file, if the application file is invalid, then directly notify or in writing the contents that need to be supplemented or corrected to the individual within two working days from the date of receiving the request;

c) The District Traffic Police Office transfers data to the Traffic Police Department for centralized management and issuance of driver's licenses;

d) Printing and delivering the driver's license is carried out at the Traffic Police Department or the District Traffic Police Office or through postal services according to the individual's request.

2. For Vietnamese citizens and foreign nationals holding a permanent or temporary residence card in Vietnam, who hold a valid national driver's license issued by member countries of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party, the process is as follows:

a) Application files for IDP: a certified translation of the foreign driver's license into Vietnamese by a notary office or embassy or consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, stamped with a matching seal on a copy of the driver's license; a copy of the temporary residence card or permanent residence card or diplomatic identification card or service identification card for foreign nationals; one passport-sized photo, 3 cm x 4 cm, white background;

b) Procedure for issuing IDP:

In case of direct application, the original national driver's license issued by member countries of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party must be presented, passport, permanent or temporary residence card (for foreign nationals) to verify the accuracy and legality of the information provided and must complete the obligation to pay fees upon acceptance of the application file according to regulations.

The agency receiving the application file enters the electronic information; prints a receipt for the result after accepting a valid application file, if the application file is invalid, then directly notify or in writing the contents that need to be supplemented or corrected to the individual within two working days from the date of receiving the request;

c) The International Driving Permit (IDP) shall be issued within 2.5 working days from the date when all valid documents are received. Data shall be transferred to the Traffic Police Department for centralized management and issuance of the IDP.

d) Printing and delivering the driver's license is carried out at the Traffic Police Department or the District Traffic Police Office or through postal services according to the individual's request.

3. The IDP shall not be issued in the following cases:

a) The national driving license has been tampered with and no longer contains necessary information or there are discrepancies in identification;

b) The national driving license was not issued by an authorized agency as prescribed.

Article 30. Use of IDP

1. An IDP issued by Vietnam under the 1968 Road Traffic Convention does not have validity for use within the territory of Vietnam.

2. An IDP recognized under an international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party shall be implemented according to that international treaty.

Chapter V

INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR DRIVING TESTS AND LICENSE ISSUANCE

Article 31. Requirements for the Information System on Driving Tests and License Issuance

1. Information system for driving tests at testing centers

a) Manage at least the following information: driving test period; candidates participating in the test; monitoring data of the test; results of the driving test period;

b) Receive information about the driving test period and candidates eligible to participate in the test from the driving test information system of the Traffic Police Division;

c) Provide test results to the information system of the Traffic Police Division and the Traffic Police Department;

d) Share monitoring data of the test with the Traffic Police Department and the Traffic Police Division;

đ) Have the ability to accurately and completely store managed information; connect and share data with related information systems;

e) Ensure current legal regulations on information security, network security, and information safety.

2. Information system for driving tests and license issuance at the Traffic Police Department

a) Manage at least the following information: license number; confirmation of completion of training course; surname, given name; personal identification number; date of birth; nationality; place of residence; training institution; vehicle category trained; training course; date of passing the test; testing authority; location of the test (driving test center or training ground for testing); date of issuing, renewing, or reissuing the license; issuing authority; license category; expiration date; license form number;

b) Have the ability to receive information at point a of this clause from the driver's license information system of the Traffic Police Division; search for driver's license information, perform business operations related to driving tests and license issuance on the electronic information website; accurately and completely store managed information;

c) Have the function of issuing international driving licenses as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 29 of this Circular; revoke driver's licenses;

d) Have the capability to connect and share data with the National Public Service Portal, the National Identity Application, applications of the People's Public Security forces as prescribed and other related information systems to implement administrative procedures related to the management of driver's licenses and international driving permits;

đ) Ensure current legal regulations on information security, network security, and information safety.

3. Information system for driving tests and license issuance at the Traffic Police Division

a) Manage at least the following information: results of reviewing lists of candidates eligible to participate in the driving test period; driving test period; candidates participating in the driving test period; monitoring data of the test; results of the driving test period; license number; confirmation of completion of training course; surname, given name; personal identification number; date of birth; nationality; place of residence; training institution; vehicle category trained; training course; date of passing the test; testing authority; location of the test (driving test center or training ground for testing); date of issuing, renewing, or reissuing the license; issuing authority; license category; expiration date; license form number;

b) Create driving test periods, update information about driving test periods and lists of candidates participating in the test, and provide these pieces of information to the information system at the driving test center;

c) Have the ability to receive monitoring data of the test from the information system at the driving test center, remote access for authorized agencies to access and exploit; receive information about candidates who pass the test from the driving test information system of traffic police divisions, receive information from the driver's license information system at the commune-level public security office where the reception point is located;

d) Have the ability to provide the information at point a of this clause to the driver's license information system at the Traffic Police Department;

đ) Have the function of issuing, renewing, reissuing, and revoking driver's licenses; issuing and renewing military driver's licenses issued by the Ministry of Defense, driver's licenses in the People's Public Security force; renewing driver's licenses or driving permits of foreign nationals or overseas Vietnamese residents who wish to drive in Vietnam;

e) Have the ability to accurately and completely store managed information, connect and share data with related information systems;

g) Ensure current legal regulations on information security, network security, and information safety.

4. Driver's license information system at the commune-level public security office where the reception point is located

a) Manage at least the following information: license number; surname, given name; personal identification number; date of birth; nationality; place of residence; date of issuing, renewing, or reissuing the license; issuing authority; license category; expiration date; license form number;

b) Have the ability to provide the information at point a of this clause to the driver's license information system at the Traffic Police Division;

c) Have the ability to receive information at point a of this clause from individuals renewing their driver's licenses;

d) Have the ability to accurately and completely store managed information; connect and share data with related information systems;

đ) Ensure current legal regulations on information security, network security, and information safety.

Article 32. Principles and Forms of Data Exploitation on the Driver's License Information System

1. Principles of Exploitation

a) The exploitation of data on driver's license examinations and issuance shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of laws on information technology and network security. and cybersecurity;

b) The management agency of the driver's license information system as stipulated in Articles 36 and 37 of this Circular and the Public Security Police Station shall have the responsibility to protect personal information and data in the driver's license database on the online environment in accordance with the provisions of laws on information technology.

c) Services for exploiting information and data on driver's licenses provided to agencies, organizations, and individuals on the online environment shall comply with the provisions of laws on information technology and network security. a) Direct exploitation: agencies, organizations, and individuals may directly exploit driver's license data from the electronic driver's license information website according to the regulations on security levels and permissions for using and exploiting driver's license data.

2. Forms of Exploitation

b) Indirect exploitation: agencies, organizations, and individuals requiring exploitation of driver's license data provide information extracted from the driver's license database, including: information recorded on the driver's license (in cases where authorized agencies require additional information, such information about training, examination, and traffic law violations will also be provided).

Article 33. Data Storage Period on the Information System

The head of the agency or organization shall be responsible for directing the implementation of electronic document management in accordance with the following regulations:

1. The minimum storage period for examination data at the driving test center is two years.

2. The minimum storage period for examination, issuance, renewal, reissuance, and revocation data at the Traffic Police Department is fifty years.

Article 34. Procedure for Exploiting the Driver's License Issuance Information System

1. For new driver's license issuance

a) Traffic Police Office: exploits information on examination application data on the driver training information system to review the list of candidates eligible for examination; based on the decision to organize the driving examination, creates a list of candidates eligible to participate in the examination and sends it to the driving test center and motorcycle driving practice field for coordination in organizing the driving examination; receives examination result data from the driving test centers and motorcycle driving practice fields through the examination information system to create a list of individuals eligible for driver's license issuance upon passing the examination.

b) Driving Test Centers and Motorcycle Driving Practice Fields equipped with examination systems: receive candidate lists for the examination synchronized on the information system by the Traffic Police Office and implement the examination procedures on the examination information system; synchronize examination result data into the examination information system.

c) Traffic Police Department: receives driver's license data synchronized into the driver's license information system by the Traffic Police Office to manage and utilize data according to regulations.

2. For driver's license renewal

a) Public Security Police Station at the location designated for receiving applications: receives applications, checks, updates, and verifies electronic files into the driver's license information system, and transfers electronic files to the Traffic Police Office.

b) Traffic Police Office: receives applications, implements the driver's license renewal procedures on the driver's license information system; checks, updates, verifies electronic files into the driver's license information system, and transfers electronic files to

the Traffic Police Department. c) Traffic Police Department receives driver's license data synchronized into the driver's license information system at the Traffic Police Department to manage and utilize data according to regulations.

c) The General Traffic Police Department shall receive driving license data synchronized into the driving license information system at the General Traffic Police Department to organize management and utilization of the data in accordance with regulations.

Article 35. Procedure for Exploiting the Information System for Issuing International Driving Permits (IDPs)

1. Traffic Police Department: receives applications and implements the IDP issuance process on the traffic license information system at the Traffic Police Department; checks, updates, and verifies electronic files into the traffic license information system at the Traffic Police Department and carries out the IDP printing process; checks the quality of driving licenses after printing and synchronizes data into the traffic license information system at the General Traffic Police Department. on the driving license information system at the Traffic Police Department; check, update, and verify electronic files into the driving license information system at the Traffic Police Department and implement the process of printing the International Driving Permit (IDP); check the quality of the driving license after printing and synchronize the data into the driving license information system at the General Traffic Police Department.

2. General Traffic Police Department

a) Receives IDP data synchronized by the Traffic Police Department into the traffic license information system at the General Traffic Police Department to organize management and use of data as prescribed;

b) In case of receiving applications for IDP issuance from individuals, it shall implement as per the procedure stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 36. Responsibilities of the General Traffic Police Department

1. Driver Examination Work

a) Provides professional guidance on driver examination work to ensure uniform implementation nationwide;

b) Develops question banks; software for the examination information system, issuance of driving licenses; theoretical examination software to serve driver examination work, ensuring uniform implementation nationwide and transferring to the Traffic Police Department;

c) Develops training programs, materials, issues examiner cards, periodic inspection and evaluation content for the national pool of examiners and stores examiner records as prescribed;

d) Announces and updates lists of examination centers granted or revoked examination permits on the electronic information website;

đ) In cases where it is necessary to adjust examination locations, the General Traffic Police Department will coordinate with examination centers and notify the Traffic Police Department at least 10 days before organizing examinations;

e) When requested by the Traffic Police Department or when deemed necessary, the General Traffic Police Department assigns examiners to participate in driver examination boards under local public security agencies;

g) In necessary cases, establish examination boards to conduct examinations at local public security agencies.

2. Work on Issuance, Replacement, Reissuance, and Revocation of Driving Licenses

a) Provides professional guidance on the work of issuing, replacing, reissuing, and revoking driving licenses to ensure uniform implementation nationwide;

b) Guides and manages the use of driving license blanks;

c) Manages centralized data and issues driving licenses.

3. Work on Issuance of International Driving Permits

a) Provides professional guidance on the work of issuing IDPs to ensure uniform implementation nationwide;

b) Guides and manages the use of IDP blanks within its authority;

c) Announces and updates annually the list of countries participating in the Vienna Convention based on official United Nations notifications on the General Traffic Police Department's electronic information website;

d) Implements online public service for IDP issuance;

đ) Manages centralized data and issues driving licenses.

4. Work on Management of Information Systems

a) Develops, upgrades, and maintains the operation of the examination and driving license issuance information system at the General Traffic Police Department; the full-cycle online public service system for new issuance, replacement, reissuance of driving licenses, and issuance of international driving permits on the National Public Service Portal to receive, integrate, share, and connect with relevant management agencies; applies digital transformation technology in examinations and driving license issuance; develops examination monitoring software, completed by January 1, 2027;

b) Provides accounts for local police stations designated to receive applications and the Traffic Police Department to log in, transmit, and exploit data on the information system; and the Traffic Police Department log in, transmit, and exploit data on the information system;

c) Develops and trains the transfer of business software in the examination information system and the driving license information system at driving license examination centers and the Traffic Police Department.

5. Inspection Work

a) Periodically or randomly inspects management of examinations, issuance, replacement, reissuance, and revocation of driving licenses and storage of records at local public security agencies;

b) Periodically or randomly inspects organization of driver examination sessions at examination centers, suspends operations, handles violations, or reports to competent authorities for handling according to current regulations.

6. The General Traffic Police Department leads and coordinates with relevant units to design, produce, and print general information on driving license blanks and international driving permit blanks issued to local public security agencies as prescribed.

Article 37. Responsibilities of the Traffic Police Department

1. Driver Examination Work

a) Connecting to driving license examination centers in localities and the General Traffic Police Department;

b) Providing system information monitoring accounts for the General Traffic Police Department, the Traffic Police Department units that bring candidates to take examinations at driving license examination centers outside their jurisdiction, and for driving license examination centers to log in, transmit, and exploit data; examination results data exploited through the software of the system information monitoring shall be compiled according to the model prescribed in Appendix XIII issued together with this Circular; reviewing and cross-checking candidate examination data with completion confirmation data from the training management and supervision system;

c) Publicizing schedules and locations for planned driving license examinations of the following month before the 20th day of the current month on the Electronic Information Portal, National Public Service Gateway;

d) Organizing driving license examinations;

đ) Regularly transferring monthly lists of driving license examination centers granted or revoked licenses to the General Traffic Police Department for monitoring and management.

2. Work on issuing, renewing, reissuing, and revoking driving licenses

a) Undertaking tasks of receiving applications for issuing, renewing, and reissuing driving licenses, transferring data to the General Traffic Police Department; printing and returning driving licenses;

b) Guiding public security police stations to receive applications for renewing and reissuing driving licenses and transferring data to the Traffic Police Department;

c) Implementing the revocation and cancellation of driving licenses upon decisions of the General Traffic Police Department.

3. Undertaking tasks of receiving applications for issuing International Driving Permits (IDPs), transferring data to the General Traffic Police Department; printing and returning IDPs.

4. Work on Management of Information Systems

a) Investing in, maintaining, and upgrading hardware and software systems and data transmission networks of the examination and driving license issuance information system;

b) Operating the examination and driving license issuance information system;

c) Receiving, organizing implementation, and being responsible for business software within the examination information system and the driving license information system;

d) Using software in the driving license examination information system to conduct driving license examinations, compiling results as a basis for issuing and reissuing driving licenses as prescribed;

đ) Using software in the driving license information system to update, process, exploit, verify, and synchronize data and manage driving licenses;

e) Utilizing data from the installed and transferred information system at the Traffic Police Department and driving license examination centers to serve inspection, supervision work, and provide information to functional units.

5. Periodically or randomly inspecting the work of receiving applications for renewing and reissuing driving licenses at public security police stations where application reception points are located.

Article 38. Responsibilities of Public Security Police Stations

1. Receiving and examining applications for renewing and reissuing driving licenses.

2. Cooperating to ensure security, order, and traffic safety on examination routes under their jurisdiction.

3. Cooperating to monitor compliance with laws on traffic order and safety for citizens under their jurisdiction after examinations and issuance of driving licenses.

Article 39. Responsibilities of the Examination Center for Driving Licenses

1. For management of examinations

a) Ensuring material infrastructure and equipment for inspection and scoring in accordance with regulations to conduct driving license examinations accurately and objectively; reporting to the Traffic Police Division when examination equipment and means malfunction, become unstable, or when changes to such equipment and means are made to address issues promptly;

b) Cooperating and creating all necessary conditions for trainees to review and prepare, and for examination boards to organize examinations conveniently and according to schedule;

c) Adhering to and cooperating with competent authorities in inspecting the driving license examination center;

d) Publicizing the examination fee rates and prices of other services on the examination center's website;

đ) Ensuring safety during driving license examinations; coordinating with relevant units and agencies to resolve incidents of accidents or safety breaches;

e) Publicizing the examination schedules on the examination center’s website, storing examination result files in accordance with Clause 3, Article 17 of this Circular;

g) Transmitting and sharing monitoring data from examinations to the Traffic Police Division, General Traffic Police Department; storing and being responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of examination monitoring data; ensuring data security; providing timely and accurate examination monitoring information and data to competent state management authorities upon request.

2. Information system management work

a) Investing in, maintaining, and upgrading hardware and software systems and data transmission networks of the driving license examination information system located at the driving license examination center;

b) Not interfering with or installing devices or software that affect the examination process or alter examination results.

Article 40. Appendices

1. Appendix I: Procedure for A1 and A category driving license examinations.

2. Appendix II: Procedure for B1 category driving license examinations.

3. Appendix III: Procedure for B, C1, C, D1, D2, and D category driving license examinations.

4. Appendix IV: Procedure for BE, D1E, D2E, and DE category driving license examinations.

5. Appendix V: Procedure for C1E and CE category driving license examinations.

6. Appendix VI: Duties and powers of the Examination Board.

7. Appendix VII: Sample preparation form for driving license examinations.

8. Appendix VIII: Summary record of examination results for candidates.

9. Appendix IX: Sample driving license form.

10. Appendix X: Sample verification form for driving licenses.

11. Appendix XI: Model of international driving license.

12. Appendix XII: Table for converting international driving licenses.

13. Appendix XIII: Report on examination result data extracted from the driving license examination information system.

14. Appendix XIV: Examination officer card model.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 41. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2026, except for the cases specified in Clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Article.

2. The theoretical examination content, practical driving examination in simulation, and practical driving examination on the road as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 4 of this Circular shall be implemented from March 1, 2027; the content of examination paper number 2 as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 4 and Appendix I attached to this Circular shall be implemented from January 1, 2028.

3. Simulated road situation examination equipment and software for A1 and A categories of motorcycle driving license examination training grounds shall be implemented from January 1, 2028.

4. Implementation of electronic examination officer cards shall be from July 1, 2027.

5. The provisions regarding candidate identification through electronic identity authentication devices and software as stipulated in Appendices I, II, III, IV, and V attached to this Circular shall be implemented from January 1, 2027.

6. Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA dated February 28, 2025 of the Minister of Public Security on driving license examinations and issuance; issuance and use of international driving licenses shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect, except for the provisions in Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3 of Article 4, Appendix II, Appendix III, Section A, C, sample numbers 01, 02, 03 Section D Appendix IV, Section A, C, sample numbers 01, 02, 03 Section D Appendix V, Section A, C, sample numbers 01, 02, 03 Section D Appendix VI issued together with Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA which continue to be effective until February 28, 2027.

Article 42. Transitional Provisions

1. In cases where candidates pass the theoretical examination, practical driving examination in simulation, and practical driving examination on the road for automobile driving license examinations before this Circular takes effect, they will be recognized as passing the examination and will be issued a driving license.

2. In cases where candidates fail one or more components (theoretical examination, practical driving examination in simulation, practical driving examination on the road) under the provisions of Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA, they must retake the failed components according to Circular No. 12/2025/TT-BCA; from March 1, 2027, they must retake the failed components according to the provisions of this Circular.

Article 43. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Director of the General Traffic Police Department is responsible for supervising, urging, inspecting, and guiding the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry of Public Security, Provincial Police Chiefs, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, local police units, organizations, and individuals related to it should report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the General Traffic Police Department) for timely guidance.