1. Eligibility for obtaining a driving license
To be eligible for learning to drive and obtaining a driving license, the following conditions must be met:
1. Vietnamese citizens or foreigners with legal residence, work, or study permits in Vietnam.
2. Age, health, and qualifications:
- At least 18 years old for motorbike license categories A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2.
- At least 21 years old for driving license category C, FB2.
- At least 24 years old for driving license category D, FC.
- At least 27 years old for driving license category E (maximum age for men is 55 and for women is 50), FD.
2. Procedure for applying for a driving license
2.1. Preparation of enrollment documents for driving lessons
a) For first-time learners, prepare 01 set of enrollment documents and submit them directly to the training center. The documents include:
- Application form for learning and taking the driving license exam (according to Appendix 7 issued with Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT). If needed, include a request for an unlimited or limited-term driving license.
- Copy of ID card or Citizen Identification Card or valid passport for Vietnamese citizens.
- Valid passport for Vietnamese citizens living abroad.
- Copy of passport valid for at least 6 months, and temporary residence card or permanent residence card or diplomatic identity card or official identity card for foreigners.
- Driver's health examination certificate.

b) For license upgrade learners, prepare 01 set of enrollment documents and submit them directly to the training center. The documents include:
- Documents similar to those required for first-time learners.
- Declaration of professional driving time and safe driving kilometers (according to Appendix 8 of Circular 12/2017). Take legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided.
- Copy of high school diploma or equivalent for upgrading driving licenses to categories D and E (original copy required for document verification during the exam).
- Copy of driving license (original copy required during the exam). Starting from December 1, 2019, learners' photos will be taken and stored in the driving license database by the training center (this regulation was abolished).
c) For ethnic minority individuals who cannot read or write Vietnamese and want to learn motorbike driving (effective from December 1, 2019), prepare 01 set of enrollment documents, including:
- Documents similar to those required for first-time learners.
- Confirmation from the People's Committee of the commune, ward, or town where the learner resides, confirming their status as an ethnic minority individual who cannot read or write Vietnamese (according to Appendix 24 issued with Circular 38/2019).
- The confirmation is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance, with the individual's signature or thumbprint.
2.2. Theoretical and practical training at the Training Center
- Individuals applying for driver's licenses of categories A1, A2, A3, A4, and B1 are allowed to self-study the theoretical subjects but must register at an authorized training facility for review and testing. For categories A4 and B1, individuals must undergo testing and receive training certificates. The training duration is as follows:
Category A1: 12 hours (theory: 10, driving practice: 02);
Category A2: 32 hours (theory: 20, driving practice: 12);
Category A3, A4: 80 hours (theory: 40, driving practice: 40);
Category B1:
+ Automatic transmission vehicles: 476 hours (theory: 136, driving practice: 340);
+ Manual transmission vehicles: 556 hours (theory: 136, driving practice: 420).
The subjects for testing include Road Traffic Laws for categories A2, A3, A4, and Driving Practice for categories A3, A4.
- Individuals applying for driver's licenses of categories B2, C, D, E, as well as FB2, FC, FD, FE, must undergo centralized training at an authorized training facility and must be tested to receive primary certificates or training certificates. Within one year from the end of the training facility's examination, the recognition of completion of the training course will be assessed. Failure to obtain primary certificates or training certificates will require retraining under a new course. The training duration is as follows:
Category B2: 588 hours (theory: 168, driving practice: 420);
Category C: 920 hours (theory: 168, driving practice: 752). The subjects for testing include all subjects studied during the training period, as well as Regular Structure and Repair and Transport Business for Category B2, which can be self-studied but must be tested by the training facility. The testing for primary certificates and training certificates upon completion of the course includes the subjects of Road Traffic Laws based on the theoretical examination questions and Driving Practice with comprehensive tests, parallel parking, and driving on the road. For the driving test for car licenses, there will be additional content using simulation software (Illustrative image).
2.3. Participating in the driver's license examination
- Individuals will take the driver's license examination at the Driver's License Examination Center.
The examination content includes:
- Theoretical examination: Consists of questions related to traffic regulations and driving techniques. Additionally, there will be content related to Regular Structure and Repair, Transport Business (for categories A3, A4), Regular Structure and Repair, Driver Ethics (for category B1 licenses), Regular Structure and Repair, Transport Business, Driver Ethics (for car licenses from category B2 and above).
Note :
- The theoretical examination for category A1 in urban areas of type 2 and above is conducted on a computer; in other areas, it is conducted as a written test on paper or on a computer. The examination room is equipped with cameras to monitor the examination process.
- The theoretical examination for categories A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, C, D, E, and categories F is conducted on a computer. The examination room for theoretical examination is equipped with cameras for supervision and the examination process is publicly displayed.
- Individuals who already hold a car driver's license are exempt from the theoretical examination when applying for an A1 license.

- Practical examination:
For categories A1, A2: Candidates must operate a motorcycle through 4 test courses: Figure 8, Straight Line, Obstacle Course, and Rough Road.
In urban areas of type 3 and above, automatic scoring devices must be used; in other areas, if the distance to urban areas of type 3 and above is less than 100 km, automatic scoring devices must be used starting from July 1, 2018.
For categories A3, A4: Candidates must drive forward through an S-shaped course and reverse in the opposite direction.
For categories B1, B2, C, D, E: Candidates must follow the correct sequence and drive through the designated test courses at the examination center, including:
+ Starting, stopping to give way to pedestrians;
+ Stopping and starting on a slope, crossing a wheel track and a perpendicular intersection, passing through a signal-controlled intersection, navigating a winding road, and parking (B1, B2, and C perform parallel parking; B1, B2, D, and E perform perpendicular parking);
+ Temporary stop at a railway crossing;
+ Responding to dangerous situations, changing gears on the road, and finishing.
For categories FB2, FD, FE: Candidates must drive forward through a course with 5 standard poles and make a U-turn.
Categories B1, B2, C, D, E, and F must undergo an on-road driving test (operating a vehicle for examination, handling traffic situations, and following instructions from the examiner). Only categories B1, B2, C, D, E must use automatic scoring devices, and there must be one examiner in the vehicle.
For FC category: Control the vehicle forward through a standard set of 05 poles and a U-turn, and parallel parking. Particularly, starting from January 1st, 2021, individuals taking the driving test for car licenses (B1 automatic, B1, B2, C, D, E, and F categories) will also have to pass a simulated driving test using computer software to handle simulated traffic situations.
2.4. License issuance
- Recognition of test results for A1, A2, A3, A4 categories: Passing both theoretical and practical content will result in being recognized as qualified; Not passing the theoretical content will not be allowed to take the practical part; Passing the theoretical content but not the practical content will have the result reserved for 01 year from the date of passing the test.
- Recognition of test results for B1 automatic, B1, B2, C, D, E, and F categories: Passing the theoretical content, driving a car using simulated traffic situation software, and passing the practical part will be recognized as qualified; Not passing the theoretical content will not be allowed to take the simulated driving test; Not passing the simulated driving test will not be allowed to take the practical part in the controlled environment; Not passing the practical part in the controlled environment will not be allowed to take the road driving test; Passing the theoretical content, simulated driving test, and practical part in the controlled environment but not passing the road driving test will have the result reserved for 01 year.
*** Candidates who bring phones, communication devices, or engage in any other deceptive behaviors during the theoretical exam, on the test vehicle, or perform any actions that distort the test results will have their test suspended and the results canceled. After passing the test, a notification will be given stating the time and location to receive the driving license.
3. Frequently asked questions about the driver's license test
Can I postpone my driving test if I have other commitments? Will I have to pay for a retest?
If you are unable to take the driving test due to other commitments, you can definitely request to postpone the test. You just need to schedule it at least one week in advance. For your next test, you will also need to schedule it so that the staff at the center can arrange it, as driving tests are usually conducted 1 to 2 times a month.
As for the cost of a retest, if you postpone for too long, you may have to pay for another health check-up when your previous one expires after 6 months. Additionally, some centers may charge an additional fee for overdue driving test applications, which could be around 1,500,000 VND.
What should I do if I haven't received the schedule for the driving test?
If you initially submitted your driving license application to the wrong place, then you will have to bear the consequences of any mistakes that occur afterwards. There have been cases where everyone in the same group has to wait, so you'll just have to be patient. It's important to take responsibility for not researching properly. However, if you are the only one who is delayed while other students have already taken and passed the driving test, you may have been deceived and lost your money for driving lessons. In this case, you can report to the police for fraud and misappropriation of property. Remember to keep as much evidence as possible, such as receipts for payment and transfer, as well as any text messages from the center
Nội dung bài viết:
Bình luận