Circular No. 42/2025/TT-BYT stipulates health standards and the format of health examination certificates for railway traffic vehicle drivers. This circular includes detailed appendices on information required in recruitment and periodic health examination certificates, as well as requirements for clinical and paraclinical examinations.
Scope of application
Railway traffic vehicle drivers
Key points
- Health Standards: Detailed description of medical conditions that disqualify railway traffic vehicle drivers (such as mental illness, hypertension, eye diseases, ear nose throat diseases...)
- Format of recruitment and periodic health examination certificates: Clearly record administrative information, medical history, results of clinical and paraclinical examinations
- Mandatory paraclinical examination: Drug testing and blood alcohol concentration or breathalyzer test
- Health classification: Conclude whether the applicant meets the health standards to drive railway traffic vehicles.
- The health examination certificate is valid for use within twelve months from the date of issuance.
🌐 Social impact of this document
- Ensure safety for workers and passengers using railway transportation services.
- Improve the quality of railway transportation services through ensuring the health of the driving staff.
- Strengthen healthcare management in the transportation industry.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Who does this Circular apply to?
It applies to railway traffic vehicle drivers.
What health standards are specified in this Circular?
Specifies disqualifying medical conditions such as mental illness, hypertension, eye diseases, ear nose throat diseases...
How long is the health examination certificate valid for use?
The health examination certificate is valid for use within twelve months from the date of issuance.
Full text
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MINISTRY OF HEALTH |
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM |
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Number: 42/2025/TT-BYT |
Hanoi, November 14, 2025 |
CIRCULAR
Regulations on health standards for railway traffic vehicle operators
Pursuant to the Railway Law dated June 27, 2025;
Pursuant to Decree No. 42/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 27, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;
At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment;
The Minister of Health issues this Circular stipulating health standards for railway traffic vehicle operators.
Article 1. Scope of Regulation
This Circular stipulates health standards for railway traffic vehicle operators as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 48 of the Railway Law.
Article 2. Health Standards for Railway Traffic Vehicle Operators
Railway traffic vehicle operators must meet the health standards set forth in Appendix 01 attached hereto.
Article 3. Responsibilities of Health Examination Facilities
1. Comply with legal regulations on health examinations under the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment and guiding documents implementing the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.
2. Issue examination forms and issue health examination certificates ensuring that they contain all minimum information as specified in Appendices 02 and 03 attached hereto and update all health examination information in accordance with Article 5 of Circular No. 36/2024/TT-BYT dated November 16, 2024 issued by the Minister of Health regarding health standards, health examinations for drivers and specialized vehicle operators; regular health examinations for automobile drivers; and databases on the health of drivers and specialized vehicle operators.
Article 4. Transitional Provisions
In cases where health examinations have been conducted prior to the effective date of this Circular but conclusions have not yet been issued, such conclusions shall be made in accordance with Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BYT dated May 4, 2018 issued by the Minister of Health regarding health standards for railway employees directly serving train operations.
Article 5. Reference Provisions
Where referenced documents in this Circular are replaced or amended, implementation shall be in accordance with the replacing or amending documents.
Article 6. Effectiveness
4. In cases where legal normative documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced by other legal normative documents, the provisions of those amended, supplemented, or replacing documents shall apply.
2. Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BYT dated May 4, 2018 issued by the Minister of Health regarding health standards for railway employees directly serving train operations ceases to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.
During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Health (through the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment) for consideration and resolution./.
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Place of Receipt: |
DEPUTY MINISTER
TRAN VAN THUAN
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APPENDIX 01
HEALTH STANDARDS TABLE FOR OPERATORS
OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC VEHICLES
(Attached to Circular No. 42/2025/TT-BYT dated November 14, 2025 issued by the Minister of Health)
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Serial number |
Specialty |
Individuals with any of the following conditions are not eligible to operate railway traffic vehicles |
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1 |
PSYCHIATRY |
Psychiatric disorders that have been completely stabilized through treatment but less than 24 months have passed since stabilization |
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2 |
NEUROLOGY |
- Epilepsy; - Paralysis of one limb or more; - Extrapyramidal syndrome; - Peripheral neuropathy or deep sensory neuropathy; - Dizziness due to pathological causes |
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3 |
OPHTHALMOLOGY |
- Visual acuity for distant vision in each eye: better eye < 8/10 or worse eye < 5/10 (including correction with glasses); - Refractive error requiring a prescription greater than +5 diopters or less than -8 diopters; - Horizontal visual field of both eyes (nasal-temporal): less than 160° extended to the right < 70°, extended to the left < 70°; - Vertical visual field above and below the horizontal axis < 30°; - Retinal detachment, blind spots at the corners; - Color blindness for three primary colors: red, yellow, green; - Double vision; - Photopsia; - Night blindness (nyctalopia). |
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4 |
OTOLARYNGOLOGY |
Hearing ability in the better ear: - Normal speech < 4 meters (including hearing aid usage) - Or whispered voice at least 0.4 meters (including hearing aid usage). |
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5 |
CARDIOVASCULAR |
- Hypertension treated but maximum blood pressure ≥ 180 mmHg and/or minimum blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg; - Hypotension (maximum blood pressure < 90 mmHg) accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, sleepiness, or fainting; - Vascular inflammatory occlusive diseases (arteriovenous), vascular malformations clinically manifesting and affecting operational and control abilities of railway traffic vehicles; - Arrhythmias: supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, sinus tachycardia > 120 beats per minute, treated but not stable; - Ventricular premature contractions in individuals with actual heart disease and/or Lown classification III or higher; - Second-degree AV block or slow heart rate with clinical symptoms (even if treated but not stable); - Angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease; - Heart transplant; - Post-coronary artery intervention; - Heart failure stage II or higher (NYHA classification). |
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6 |
RESPIRATORY |
- Diseases or defects causing shortness of breath level II or higher (according to mMRC classification); - Partially controlled or uncontrolled asthma; - Active pulmonary tuberculosis. |
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7 |
MUSCULOSKELETAL |
- Stiffness or adhesion of a major joint; - Artificial joint in a position of a major bone; - Severe kyphosis or scoliosis causing spinal flexion; stiffness or adhesion of the spine affecting movement function; - Absolute difference in length between two upper limbs or two lower limbs exceeding 5 cm without supportive devices; - Amputation or loss of function of two fingers of one hand or one foot. |
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8 |
ENDOCRINOLOGY |
Diabetes mellitus with history of diabetic coma within one month. |
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9 |
USE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL, NARCOTICS, AND OTHER PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES |
- Use of narcotics; - Use of alcohol (applicable during periodic health examinations); - Use of medications affecting wakefulness; - Abuse of stimulants or hallucinogens. |
APPENDIX 02
INFORMATION ON HEALTH EXAMINATIONS FOR RECRUITMENT
OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC VEHICLE OPERATORS
(Attached to Circular No. 42/2025/TT-BYT dated November 14, 2025 issued by the Minister of Health)
I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION OF THE PERSON REQUESTING A HEALTH EXAMINATION
1. Full name (with photo affixed or scanned)
2. Gender: Male □ Female □
3. Date of birth (Age: ...)
4. ID card number / Household registration book / Passport / Citizen identification: ...
5. Issued on .../.../...... At ...
6. Current residence: …
II. MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE PERSON REQUESTING HEALTH EXAMINATION
1. Family medical history:
Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with any of the following diseases: infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, cancer, epilepsy, mental disorder, other diseases:
a) No □; b) Yes □;
If "Yes", please specify the name of the disease:
2. Personal medical history: The person being examined shall self-report the following information (whether they have had or currently have any of the following diseases) (Doctor will ask about the illness and mark X in the corresponding box)
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Yes/No |
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Yes/No |
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Had or injured in the past 5 years |
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Diabetes or blood sugar control |
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Neurological disease or head injury |
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Mental illness |
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Eye disease or reduced vision (excluding cases wearing prescription glasses) |
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Loss of consciousness, altered consciousness |
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Ear disease, hearing loss or balance problems |
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Fainting, dizziness, fatigue, excessive sleepiness or fainting |
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Heart disease, myocardial infarction, other cardiovascular diseases |
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Digestive system disease |
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Cardiac intervention surgery (valve replacement, bypass graft, angioplasty, pacemaker implantation, stent placement, heart transplant) |
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Sleep disorders, sleep apnea, daytime somnolence, loud snoring |
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Hypertension |
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Stroke or paralysis |
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Shortness of breath |
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Spinal disease or injury |
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Lung disease, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis |
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Regular and continuous alcohol use |
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Kidney disease, dialysis |
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Drug use and addiction |
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If "Yes", please specify the name of the disease:
3. Other questions (if applicable):
Is the person being examined currently undergoing treatment for any illness? If yes, list the medications being used and dosages:
The person being examined hereby certifies that all the above statements are true. If false, I accept full responsibility under the law.
(The person requesting health examination: Sign and write clearly their full name and date ... month ... year ..., requesting examination).
III. CLINICAL EXAMINATION
General: Height…….cm; Weight:…kg; BMI; Pulse, Blood Pressure
1. Mental Health
2. Nervous System
3. Eyes
4. Ear-Nose-Throat
5. Cardiovascular
6. Respiratory
7. Musculoskeletal
8. Endocrine
IV. LABORATORY EXAMINATION
1. Drug testing (Screening and qualitative testing of various drugs according to the Ministry of Health's regulations: Amphetamine, Marijuana, Morphine, Codeine, Heroin)
2. Laboratory tests only performed upon the doctor’s instruction during the health examination: Blood alcohol concentration test or breathalyzer/test, hematology/biochemistry/X-ray and other tests (EEG, ECG...)
Note: Sections III and IV, the practitioner conducting the examination shall sign, write their full name, and conclude whether the person requesting the health examination meets or does not meet the criteria based on the examination content in Appendix 1 issued along with this Circular.
V. CONCLUSION
The conclusion section shall clearly state whether the person requesting the health examination meets or does not meet the health standards for operating railway transportation vehicles (if not meeting, specify the reasons)
VI. DATE OF CONCLUSION (date ... month ... year ...)
(This health examination certificate is valid for use within 12 months from the date of signing the conclusion)
VII. PERSON MAKING THE CONCLUSION
(Sign, write clearly their full name and stamp)
Remarks: In addition to the minimum information stated above, the health examination facility may supplement additional information if necessary
APPENDIX 03
INFORMATION ON REGULAR HEALTH EXAMINATION FOR
OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC VEHICLE OPERATORS
(Attached to Circular No. 42/2025/TT-BYT dated November 14, 2025 issued by the Minister of Health)
I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION OF THE PERSON REQUESTING A HEALTH EXAMINATION
1. Full name (with photo affixed or scanned)
2. Gender: Male □ Female □
3. Date of birth (Age: ...)
4. ID card number / Household registration book / Passport / Citizen identification: ...
5. Issued on .../.../...... At ...
6. Current residence: …
7. Current position:…
8. Workplace:…
9. Personal medical history: (Name of disease, year of diagnosis)
(The person requesting health examination: Sign and write clearly their full name and date ... month ... year ..., requesting examination).
II. CLINICAL EXAMINATION
General: Height…….cm; Weight:…kg; BMI; Pulse, Blood Pressure
1. Mental Health
2. Nervous System
4. Ear-Nose-Throat
5. Cardiovascular
6. Respiratory
7. Musculoskeletal
8. Endocrine
9. Surgery-Dermatology
- Surgery:
- Dermatology:
10. Urology-Reproductive Medicine:
- Urology:
- Reproductive Medicine:
11. Endocrinology-Metabolism
III. LABORATORY EXAMINATION
1. Required laboratory tests:
a) Drug testing: Screening and qualitative testing of various drugs according to the Ministry of Health's regulations: Amphetamine, Marijuana, Morphine, Codeine, Heroin
b) Blood alcohol concentration test or breathalyzer:
2. Laboratory tests only performed upon the doctor’s instruction during the health examination: Hematology/biochemistry/X-ray and other tests.
Note: Section II, III, the practitioner conducting the examination, signing their full name and concluding whether the person requesting the health examination meets/meets not the criteria according to the content of Appendix 01 issued together with this Circular and classifying the health status.
IV. CONCLUSION
The conclusion section clearly states whether the person requesting the health examination meets/meets not the health standards for operating railway transportation vehicles (if not meeting, specify the reasons) and classify the health status.
V. DATE OF CONCLUSION (date ... month ... year ...)
VI. PERSON MAKING THE CONCLUSION
(Sign, write clearly their full name and stamp)
Remarks: In addition to the minimum information stated above, the health examination facility may supplement additional information if necessary
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