Conditions and age requirements for obtaining an A2 license

1. What can you drive with an A2 license?

Clause 2, Article 16 of Circular 12/2017/BGTVT regulates the A2 driver's license. According to this, the license is granted to individuals who operate two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine capacity of 175cc or above, and other types of vehicles specified in the A1 driver's license, including:

- Individuals operating two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine capacity from 50cc to less than 175cc.
- Individuals with disabilities operating three-wheeled motorcycles.

2. Conditions and age requirements for obtaining an A2 license

Article 7 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT specifies the mandatory conditions for individuals to take the A2 driver's license test, as follows:

- Vietnamese citizens, foreigners residing or working, studying in Vietnam.
- Meet the age requirement (as of the date of the driving test). The age requirement is also specified in point b, clause 1 of Article 60 of the Road Traffic Law 2008, No. 23/2008/QH12. Individuals who are 18 years old or older are allowed to drive two-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine capacity of 50cc or above. Additionally, before participating in the driving test, A2 license applicants must meet the health requirements as stipulated in Appendix 1 of Joint Circular 24/2015/TTLT-BYT-BGTVT, which lists specific cases where individuals are not allowed to take the A2 driver's license test, such as:

- Individuals with chronic mental disorders or those who have been treated for less than 24 months.
- Individuals with epilepsy, paralysis of one or more limbs, nystagmus, sensory disorders, dizziness due to pathological conditions, etc.
- Individuals with visual impairments such as:

- Visual acuity for each eye: good eye < 8/10, poor eye < 5/10;
- Refractive errors with diopter: > +5 or < -8;
- Horizontal visual field (nasal-temporal): < 160 expanding to the right < 70°, expanding to the left < 70°;
- Vertical visual field (up-down): below horizontal line < 30°;
- Squint, ocular abnormalities;
- Eye disorders: amblyopia, squint, color blindness (inability to recognize the basic colors: red, yellow, green), glare blindness.
- Individuals with hearing impairments: better ear for normal speech < 4m (including the use of hearing aids) or minimum whispered voice (better ear) £ 1.5m (including the use of hearing aids).
- Individuals with cardiovascular problems: low blood pressure (maximum < 90 mmHg) accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, or fainting; arrhythmias (treated but not stable); arterial occlusion; chest pain due to coronary artery disorders; heart failure, heart transplantation, etc.
- Individuals with respiratory problems: diseases or disabilities causing difficulty in breathing at level II and above (according to mMRC classification); pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma partially controlled or uncontrolled.
- Individuals with musculoskeletal problems: stiffness/immobility of a major joint; severe spinal curvature causing spinal compression; stiffness/immobility of the spine affecting mobility; use of prosthetic joints in major joints, loss of finger or toe function; absolute difference in length between upper or lower limbs of 5cm or more without assistive devices; amputation or loss of function of 2 or more fingers of 1 hand or amputation or loss of function of 1 foot or more.
- Individuals with endocrine problems: Diabetes with a history of diabetic coma within the past month.
- Individuals using alcohol or heavy stimulants: drugs, alcohol concentration exceeding the prescribed limit, stimulants, medications affecting wakefulness, etc.

3. What documents are required to register for the A2 driver's license test?

Article 9 of Circular 12/2017/BGTVT specifies the required documents for registering for the A2 driver's license test, including:

- Application form for study, examination, and driver's license issuance according to the prescribed template in Appendix 7 of Circular 12/2017/BGTVT.
- Copy of ID card or passport (valid).
- Copy of passport (valid for more than 6 months), temporary residence card, permanent residence card, diplomatic ID card, or official ID card for foreigners.
- Health examination certificate issued by an authorized medical facility according to regulations.

According to Article 12 of Circular 12/2017/BGTVT, the total training time for the A2 driver's license is 32 hours. This includes 20 hours of theory (traffic laws and driving techniques) and 12 hours of practical driving. After passing the driving test, the license will be issued within 15 days. Article 17 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT specifies the validity period of the A2 driver's license. The A2 license has a permanent validity period, so drivers only need to take the test once and do not need to repeat it.

4. How much is the fine for driving a vehicle without an A2 license?

Based on Article 21 of Decree 46/2016/NĐ-CP, individuals driving a vehicle without an A2 license will be fined as follows:

- A fine ranging from 4,000,000 VND to 6,000,000 VND for individuals driving motorcycles with an engine capacity of 175cc or above, cars, tractors, and similar vehicles, in violation of one of the following behaviors:

- Having a driver's license but it is not suitable for the type of vehicle being driven or has expired for more than 6 months;
- Not having a driver's license or using a driver's license not issued by the competent authority, or a revoked driver's license;
- Having an international driver's license issued by countries participating in the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (excluding international driver's licenses issued by Vietnam) but not carrying the national driver's license.

- In addition to the fine, the driver will also have their driver's license confiscated if it is not issued by the competent authority or if it has been revoked.