Can I upgrade my A1 driver's license to A2? What is the procedure?

Can I upgrade my A1 driver's license to A2? What is the procedure?

According to the regulations on training, examination, and issuance of motor vehicle driver's licenses, individuals aged 18 and above are allowed to participate in the examination and obtain an A2 motorcycle driver's license. However, many people still wonder if it is possible to upgrade an A1 license to A2. The answer is No.

- You don't need an A1 license to register for the A2 license exam. The A1 and A2 licenses are separate and independent, there is no upgrading or changing from A1 to A2.

- If you want to combine a new A2 license with your existing A1, B1, B2 licenses (old format), you can indicate in your A2 application that you already have a license with the number "YYY" and submit the original and photocopies of the old license for the Department of Transport to combine them into the A2 license. If you prefer, you can still keep the old licenses for use (however, there are mandatory renewal periods for certain types of old licenses).

- According to the regulations of the Vietnam Road Administration, if you already have a higher-class driver's license, you will be exempted from the theory exam for lower-class licenses (for example, if you already have a B2 car license and want to take the A2 exam, you will be exempted from the theory exam). However, according to the regulations of the Ministry of Transport, if you have a B2 license, you are only exempted from the theory exam for the A1 license.

Steps to obtain an A2 motorcycle driver's license:

Step 1: Prepare the application documents, including:
- Application form for requesting training and examination for the A2 license.
- Health certificate (issued by a district-level or higher-level medical facility within 6 months).
- Copy of ID card or citizen identification card or passport (valid and showing the ID card or citizen identification card number for Vietnamese citizens) or passport (for foreigners) (bring the original on the exam day).
- 3 color photos (3x4 cm, taken within 6 months) - 1 photo to be attached to the application form and 2 photos to be submitted to the Department of Transport. Also, provide 2 photocopies of the ID card (or passport) without notarization.
- For those who already have a PET plastic driver's license, submit a photocopy of the license on the exam day.

Step 2: Submit the application at the designated location:
- Submit the application at the training institutions and examination centers under the local Department of Transport.
- Pay the examination and license fees.
- After registration, you will receive instructional materials, information about the schedule for theory classes, and software for self-study.
- You may undergo a medical examination at the registration location (depending on the locality). The medical examination fee should not exceed 100,000 VND.

Step 3: Theory and practical examinations
- Theory exam: Take the computer-based theory exam using the A2 license theory examination software, which consists of 20 questions:
- 9 questions on traffic concepts and rules.
- 1 question on driving culture and ethics.
- 5 questions on road signs.
- 5 questions on handling different situations.
- The duration of the exam is 15 minutes, and each correct answer earns 1 point. To pass, you need to answer at least 18 out of 20 questions correctly. (Even if you already have an A1 license, you still need to take the theory exam, but if you have a B license or higher, you are exempted from the theory exam.)

The practical exam consists of 4 assessment tasks:

- Assessment task 1: Navigate through the figure-eight shape (with a width of 0.9m).

- Assessment task 2: Drive along a straight line.

- Assessment task 3: Drive through a road with obstacles (with a road width of 3m and obstacles of 1.5m).

- Assessment task 4: Drive through a rough road (with 9 rough sections spaced 1.5m apart, totaling 15m).

The assessment is considered successful if the completion time does not exceed 10 minutes and the score is above 80 out of 100.

Above, we have answered whether it is possible to upgrade from a A1 driver's license to an A2 license and provided the procedures for obtaining an A2 driver's license.