Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BGTVT stipulates the content and procedures for testing and issuing licenses to drive trains on urban rail transit systems.

CIRCULAR

Provisions on the content and procedures for granting railway driving licenses in urban areascouncillORS

_____________________________

Pursuant to the Railway Law dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2015/NĐ-CP dated February 13, 2015 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Railway Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

At the proposal of the Director of the Vietnam Railways Administration and the Head of the Organization and Cadres Department,

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular providing for the content and procedures for granting railway driving licenses in urban areas.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular provides for the content and procedures for granting railway driving licenses in urban areas.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to the examination and issuance of railway driving licenses in urban areas.

Article 3. Content of the Examination for Granting Driving Licenses

The examination contents include:

1. Theoretical examination;

2. Practical examination, including:

a) Pre-operation technical inspection, fault handling, and emergency situation management;

b) Train driving skills.

Chapter II

THEORETICAL EXAMINATION

Article 4. Content of the Theoretical Examination

1. General knowledge related to the urban rail system, including:

a) Technical standards;

b) Operating rules;

c) Safety work;

d) Train driving theory;

đ) Signals and tracks;

e) The Railway Law and related implementing regulations.

2. Professional knowledge, including:

a) Construction and operating principles of locomotives, carriages, and trains in urban rail systems;

b) Construction and operating principles of electrical systems, control systems, and safety systems serving train operations in urban rail systems.

Article 5. Forms of the Theoretical Examination

The theoretical examination shall be conducted in one of the following forms:

1. Essay test.

2. Multiple-choice test.

Article 6. Essay Test

1. Time limit: maximum 150 minutes.

2. Number of questions:

a) General knowledge section: 04 questions;

b) Professional knowledge section: 02 questions.

3. Grading scale: maximum score is 10 points, defined as follows:

a) Each question in the general knowledge section has a maximum score of 1.5 points;

b) Each question in the professional knowledge section has a maximum score of 2.0 points.

4. Candidates will be recognized as meeting the requirements when they achieve the following:

a) The total score of the test reaches a minimum of 6.0 points;

b) No answer scores less than half of the points specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 7. Multiple-Choice Test

1. Time limit: maximum 60 minutes.

2. Number of questions:

a) General knowledge section: 30 questions;

b) Professional knowledge section: 15 questions.

3. Grading scale: maximum score is 45 points, each correct answer earns 01 point.

4. Candidates will be recognized as meeting the requirements when they achieve the following:

a) The total score of the test must reach at least 40 points;

b) The general knowledge section must reach at least 27 points;

c) The professional knowledge section must reach at least 13 points.

Article 8. Deduction of Points for Violations in the Theoretical Examination

1. Candidates who violate the examination rules will have their violations recorded in a report.

2. Candidates who have one violation recorded will have points deducted as follows:

a) Deduct 25% of the total score of the essay test;

b) Deduct 10% of the total score of the multiple-choice test.

Chapter III

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION

Article 9. Equipment and Locations for Practical Examinations

1. Equipment used for practical examinations must be in good technical condition, ensuring circulation conditions as prescribed.

2. Locations for organizing practical examinations: Train inspection workshops (depots), trial track lines, main lines.

Article 10. Content of practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations

1. The examination team creates technical faults ("pan") in parts of the vehicle according to the test content, including:

a) Creating 03 "pan" in the running part, automatic brake system, electrical system, train protection device, automatic stopping device in cold state (before starting);

b) Creating 02 "pan" in the running part, automatic brake system, electrical system, train protection device, automatic stopping device in hot state (after starting).

2. During the examination period as specified in the test, the examinee must perform inspection, detection, and handling of the "pan" according to the required content.

3. The examination team selects 01 assumed emergency situation during train operation, requiring the examinee to implement emergency situation handling measures as prescribed.

Article 11. Points for practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations

The maximum points for practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling "pan", and emergency situations are 100 points and are defined as follows:

1. Ensuring correct time and inspection procedure: maximum 25 points.

2. Each "pan" detected and handled correctly: maximum 10 points.

3. Handling emergency situations: maximum 25 points.

4. Time for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations is based on each type of train and route managed and operated by urban railway enterprises, specifically defined.

Article 12. Deduction of points for violations in practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations

Candidates will be deducted points in the following cases:

1. Exceeding the specified time by more than 10 minutes: deduct 01 point for each minute over; if exceeding 10 minutes, stop the examination.

2. Not performing the work process correctly as prescribed: deduct 03 points.

3. Causing a labor accident not reaching the level where the Examination Board must stop the examination to resolve: deduct 03 points.

4. Inspecting out of sequence or in incorrect posture: deduct 01 point for each violation.

5. Missing details or parts: deduct 01 point for each missing detail or part inspected.

6. Damaging details not requiring replacement: deduct 03 points for each damaged detail.

7. Proposing incorrect handling measures or communication content when dealing with emergency situations: deduct 03 points for each instance.

Article 13. Conditions for recognizing achievement in practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations

Candidates will be recognized as achieving the requirements when meeting the following conditions:

1. Achieving at least 60 points.

2. Detecting and handling correctly at least 03 "pan", including at least 01 "pan" in hot state.

Article 14. Evaluation Form for Practical Examination Results for Technical Inspection Before Operation, Handling Incidents, and Emergency Situations

The results of the practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations are reflected on the Evaluation Form for Practical Examination Results for Technical Inspection Before Operation, Handling Incidents, and Emergency Situations according to the model prescribed in Appendix 1 of this Circular.

Article 15. Content of practical examination for driving skills

1. Distance and time for practical examination of driving skills:

a) The candidate drives the train for at least 11 consecutive sections, strictly adhering to the time stipulated in the train schedule, the prescribed speed in the speed command and current warnings, with the first section being the trial run section, and subsequent sections used to evaluate the practical driving skills;

b) For routes and trains equipped with automatic train control devices, in the first section, the automatic train control device is set to ON position; in the remaining sections, the automatic train control device is set to OFF position.

2. Criteria for evaluation during practical examination of driving skills:

a) Preparation work, reporting, calling out responses, and confirming signals: candidates must check the completeness of necessary tools and documents and report, call out responses, and confirm signals as prescribed;

b) Skill in estimating distance visually: conducting visual estimation at medium range (from 100 to 300 meters) and long range (from 301 to 600 meters), once for each range. This content is carried out on the test track at the depot;

c) Skill in stopping the train: candidates must stop the train 10 times. The stopping position is determined by the standard stopping mark specified in the examination. The stopping position can vary within the allowed range of ± 1.0 meters;

d) Driving skill: candidates must fully comply with the prescribed technical requirements, drive the train according to the time stipulated in the train schedule, and adhere to the prescribed speed and current warnings;

đ) Skill in controlling the automatic brake system: candidates must fully comply with the prescribed technical requirements, smoothly stop the train.

3. Points for practical driving are defined as a maximum of 100 points for each content specified in points a, b, c, d, and đ of Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 16. Deduction of Points for Violations During Practical Driving Skill Examination

Candidates shall be deducted points in the following cases:

1. Preparation work, reporting, calling out responses, and confirming signals:

a) Preparation work: after checking issues related to missing tools or necessary documents for train operation, each type of deficiency shall result in a deduction of 01 point;

b) Reporting, calling out responses, and confirming signals: failure to call out responses according to the regulations of urban railway train operation rules shall result in a deduction of 05 points for each non-compliance. In case of failure to confirm signals, the examination shall be terminated.

2. Skill in estimating distance by sight: if the difference between the estimated distance by sight and the actual distance is less than or equal to 10 meters, no points will be deducted. For medium distances, 05 points shall be deducted for every 10 meters exceeding the permissible error. For long distances, 03 points shall be deducted for every 10 meters exceeding the permissible error.

3. Skill in stopping the train:

a) Stopping within the permitted range specified in point c, Clause 2, Article 15 of this Circular shall not result in a deduction of points;

b) Stopping the train before the standard stopping mark outside the permitted range, 03 points shall be deducted for each 0.5 meters;

c) Stopping the train beyond the standard stopping mark outside the permitted range, 05 points shall be deducted for each 0.5 meters;

d) Stopping the train beyond the stop sign or signal, the examination shall be terminated.

4. Skill in driving the train:

a) Time of train arrival: the train arriving at the station earlier or later than stipulated in the train schedule shall not exceed 10 seconds. For each second earlier or later than the stipulated time, 0.5 points shall be deducted; if the train arrives earlier or later than two minutes, the examination shall be terminated;

b) Skill in using the throttle: starting the train incorrectly or violating operating procedures shall result in a deduction of 01 point for each violation;

c) Skill in controlling speed: covering the speedometer in the driver's cabin and using a speed measuring device as a reference to check the driver's observation and judgment skills of speed, errors within ± 5 km/h shall not result in a deduction of points. If the error exceeds the prescribed limit, 03 points shall be deducted for each km/h. Conducting two hypothetical deceleration positions and measuring the actual speed of the train passing through, if it is lower than the prescribed speed by less than 3 km/h, no points shall be deducted; if it is lower than the prescribed speed by 3.1 km/h or more, 03 points shall be deducted for each km/h; if it exceeds the prescribed speed, 05 points shall be deducted for each km/h. If the speed exceeds the line speed limit, the examination shall be terminated.

5. Skill in controlling automatic braking equipment:

a) When entering the station, the automatic braking equipment must be used to smoothly stop the train, the smoothness level is measured by a vibration meter. If the train stops at level 2, no points shall be deducted; at level 3, 03 points shall be deducted; at levels 4 and 5, 07 points shall be deducted; above level 5, 15 points shall be deducted;

b) Using the automatic braking equipment incorrectly according to the regulations shall result in a deduction of 03 points for each violation. If the automatic braking equipment is used at an emergency level without justification, the examination shall be terminated.

Article 17. Conditions for Candidates to Pass the Practical Driving Skill Examination

Candidates shall be recognized as meeting the requirements when they achieve a minimum of 60 points for each content specified in Clause 2, Article 15 of this Circular.

Article 18. Evaluation Form for Practical Driving Skill Examination Results

The results of the practical driving skill examination shall be recorded on the Evaluation Form for Practical Driving Skill Examination Results specified in Appendix 2 of this Circular.

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION OF THE EXAMINATION PERIOD

Article 19. Organization of the Examination Period

1. Based on the proposals from units registering for the examination, the Director of the Vietnam Railway Administration shall approve the plan for organizing the examination period, establish the Examination Board and the Examination Team to implement according to this Circular and regulations on examination management and issuance of train driver licenses.

2. After the completion of the examination period, based on the conclusions of the Examination Board, the Director of the Vietnam Railway Administration shall issue a Decision recognizing candidates who meet the requirements and issuing train driver licenses according to the regulations.

Article 20. Examination Procedure

1. Examination process:

a) Step 1: Theoretical examination;

b) Step 2: Practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations;

c) Step 3: Practical driving examination;

d) Step 4: Re-examination for practical steps 2 or 3 for candidates who fail to meet the requirements according to regulations.

2. Candidates who do not meet the theoretical examination requirements will not be allowed to proceed with the practical examination.

3. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for one of the two practical examination parts at step 2 or step 3 will be given one re-examination opportunity for the unsatisfactory practical part.

4. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for both practical examination parts at step 2 and step 3 will not be allowed to re-examine.

5. Candidates who do not meet the examination requirements will be given one re-examination opportunity in the next examination period but will not retain the results of the previous examination period.

Article 21. Suspension of Examination

1. The Chairman of the Examination Board shall issue a decision to suspend the examination for candidates participating in the examination who violate any of the provisions stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article. Candidates whose examinations are suspended will not continue to participate in the examination period and will not have their examination results evaluated.

2. Candidates whose examinations are suspended in the following cases:

a) For theoretical examination: violating regulations recorded in the report for the second time; bringing unauthorized materials or items into the examination room;

b) For practical examination for technical inspection before operation, handling incidents, and emergency situations: exceeding the specified time limit by more than 20 minutes; causing work accidents that require the Examination Board to suspend the examination to address them; damaging machine components to the extent requiring material compensation or replacement;

c) For practical driving examination: committing offenses subject to administrative penalties under current regulations for train drivers; starting the train into the yard without the signal from the train dispatcher or on-board safety assistant; changing direction while the train has not fully stopped; using the automatic brake with excessive force causing the train to skid; leaving the train engine dead on a slope; causing incidents; stopping the train beyond the collision avoidance mark; failing to promptly detect and handle situations leading to engine failure or stopping the train; causing other dangerous situations that require urgent measures to prevent accidents;

d) During the examination, failing to comply with the examiner's instructions or engaging in disruptive behavior resulting in a report being made.

Article 22. Conditions for Recognizing Satisfactory Examination Results

Candidates will be recognized as meeting the examination requirements when they satisfy both the theoretical and practical examination requirements.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 23. Responsibilities of the Vietnam Railway Administration

1. Organize the implementation of this Circular.

2. To take the lead and coordinate with urban railway management and operating enterprises to develop and approve examination content suitable for each route and type of urban railway; to develop and approve examination regulations.

3. To take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize the development of examination question banks; to approve and implement them.

4. To evaluate and summarize the issuance of train driver license examination activities, and report to the Ministry of Transport.

Article 24. Responsibilities of enterprises managing, operating, and running urban railway lines

1. Coordinate with the Vietnam Railway Administration in establishing examination contents suitable for each urban railway line and each type of urban railway train within the enterprise's management scope.

2. Organize training and disseminate the contents of this Circular to individuals and organizations related to examination work and train operation within the enterprise's management scope.

3. Conduct professional checks on train drivers before they switch to driving trains on different lines or change the type of train they operate.

Article 25. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 1, 2015.

2. Repeal the provisions related to urban railways in Decision No. 37/2006/QĐ-BGTVT dated November 1, 2006, issued by the Minister of Transport regarding "Contents and Procedures for Examination and Issuance of Train Driver Licenses on Railways."

3. For train drivers on newly operational urban railway lines using new technology first introduced in Vietnam, the Vietnam Railway Administration shall organize examinations and issue train driver licenses after these urban railway lines have completed trial runs. In cases where train drivers have already been examined and issued train driver licenses during technology transfer training, the Vietnam Railway Administration will recognize and issue train driver licenses without requiring them to participate in further examinations.

Article 26. Implementation

The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments, the Director of the Vietnam Railway Administration, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals related shall be responsible for enforcing this Circular./.