Classification of driver's license classes

In Vietnam, there are different types of driving licenses and regulations regarding driving licenses that many people participating in traffic are concerned about. Before answering how driving licenses are regulated, it is necessary to understand the concept of a driving license. When performing an activity under the management of competent authorities, the person must obtain the consent of those authorities, which is usually expressed through a document called a license.

The use and operation of vehicles on the road are also under the management of state agencies, so anyone who wants to operate vehicles must have a driving license. This license is issued to individuals who have passed a test to assess their skills and abilities in driving vehicles, which means that the competent authority recognizes their ability to use vehicles to participate in traffic and use it as one of the tools to manage drivers.

 

Therefore, it can be understood that a driving license is a type of certification issued by state agencies or competent authorities to a specific individual, allowing them to operate, travel, and participate in traffic with various types of motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, or other types of vehicles on public roads after they have undergone an evaluation of their capabilities.

Furthermore, when examining how driving licenses are regulated in Vietnam, it is also necessary to understand the different license categories and the regulations for each category. Currently, in Vietnam, depending on the type of vehicle and engine displacement, corresponding types of licenses are issued.

Specifically, for motorcycles, there are categories such as A1 - issued for individuals to operate two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement from 50 cc to under 175 cc; A1 is also issued for individuals with disabilities to operate three-wheeled motorcycles for disabled people.

Category A2 is issued for individuals to operate two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement of 175 cc or higher and other types of vehicles specified for A1 licenses. Category A3 is issued for individuals to operate three-wheeled motorcycles, including scooters, motorized tricycles, and other types of vehicles specified for A1 licenses. Category A4 is issued for individuals to operate small tractors with a load capacity of up to 1000 kg.

For cars, the driving licenses are regulated as follows:

Category B1 is issued for non-professional drivers to operate vehicles such as cars with up to 9 seats, including the driver's seat; trucks, including specialized trucks with a design load capacity of under 3500 kg; and towing vehicles towing a trailer with a design load capacity of under 3500 kg.

Category B2 is issued for professional drivers to operate specialized vehicles with a design load capacity of under 3500 kg and other types of vehicles specified for B1 licenses.

Category C is issued for individuals to operate the following vehicles: trucks, including specialized trucks; towing vehicles towing a trailer with a design load capacity of 3500 kg or higher; and other types of vehicles specified for B1 and B2 licenses.

Category D is issued for individuals to operate passenger cars with 10 to 30 seats, including the driver's seat, and other types of vehicles specified for B1, B2, and C licenses.

Category E is issued for individuals to operate the following vehicles: passenger cars with over 30 seats and other types of vehicles specified for B1, B2, C, and D licenses. Individuals with B1, B2, C, D, and E licenses are allowed to tow a trailer with a design load capacity of up to 750 kg.

Category F is issued for individuals with B2, C, D, and E licenses to operate the following vehicles: large trailers with a design load capacity over 750 kg, semi-trailers, and articulated buses, as specifically regulated.

Category FB2 is issued for individuals to drive vehicles specified in the B2 license with a trailer and operate vehicles specified for B1 and B2 licenses.

Category FC is issued for individuals to drive vehicles specified in the C license with a trailer, prime movers towing semi-trailers, and operate vehicles specified for B1, B2, C, and FB2 licenses.

Category FD is issued for individuals to drive vehicles specified in the D license with a trailer and operate vehicles specified for B1, B2, C, D, and FB2 licenses.

Category FE is issued for individuals to drive vehicles specified in the E license with a trailer, including articulated buses, and operate vehicles specified for B1, B2, C, D, E, FB2, and FD licenses.

Additionally, each license category has specific regulations regarding its validity period. Specifically, A1, A2, and A3 licenses have no expiration date. A4, B1, and B2 licenses are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance. C, D, E, FB2, FC, FD, and FE licenses are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.