Ministry of Public Security's latest proposal on driver's license classification

The Ministry of Public Security is seeking opinions from agencies and associations on a draft report explaining some new contents in the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. This is a draft law that was submitted to the National Assembly for comments at the 6th session recently.

Why is it necessary to include driver's license classification in the bill?

One notable content is the classification of driving licenses to comply with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and Vietnam's practices.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety recently submitted to the National Assembly does not classify driving licenses but leaves it to the Government to regulate.

However, the Ministry of Public Security believes that through comments from some delegates requesting specific classification of driving licenses in the draft law and through research, analysis and evaluation, it is found that classifying driving licenses in the draft law is necessary.

Explaining this content, the Ministry of Public Security said that classifying driving licenses in the draft law is to internalize the regulations on classifying driving licenses stipulated in the 1968 Vienna Convention, ensuring Vietnam's commitment when signing and joining the convention.

The classification of driving licenses will facilitate Vietnamese people living and studying in countries that are members of the 1968 Vienna Convention.

Specifically, there is no cost to change or study to get a driver's license, contributing to the development of the economy, tourism, trade, international cooperation, and at the same time developing investment, production, assembly, and import of domestic and international vehicles due to the synchronization of vehicle classification and driver's licenses.

The Government assigned the drafting agency to study and design the classification of driving licenses to ensure that it inherits the current regulations of the 2008 Road Traffic Law while not contravening the provisions of the 1968 Vienna Convention.

This will also not cause much impact when changing policies, in accordance with practical requirements due to the development of vehicles, drivers, and the emergence of many new types of vehicles.

Expected to abolish class A4, bring class B1, B2 to the same class B

The Ministry of Public Security pointed out that in order for the new classification regulations to not cause much impact and ensure enforcement during implementation, it is expected that the content on driver's license classification stipulated in the draft law will include the following contents.

Accordingly, the issuance of new driving licenses will be carried out for first-time license holders and for driving licenses in cases of renewal and re-issuance.

Eliminate class A4 and do not specify a driving license class for tractor drivers because based on the type and use of the vehicle, this type of vehicle will be classified as a specialized motorbike.

Bring class B1 and B2 into the same class B because the basis for classifying driving licenses is based on capacity, type, engine, and number of seats.

To avoid social impacts, the Ministry of Public Security has specified that the transitional provisions will stipulate that driving licenses issued before this law takes effect will continue to be used according to the term and value stated on the driving license.

The conversion is only carried out for examinations, new issuance and cases of issuance, re-issuance and conversion in a direction that benefits the people and does not cause traffic insecurity.

Previously, the Ministry of Public Security proposed classifying driving licenses in the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. In particular, it proposed to remove the current classes A1, A4, B1, B2, E, FE, FC, and replace them with classes A, A3, B, C1, C.

However, in the draft submitted to the National Assembly at the 6th session, the draft does not stipulate classification but leaves it to the Government to stipulate.

According to the provisions of the Road Traffic Law 2008, driving licenses are issued according to the categories A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, C, D, E, FB2, FC, FD, FE.

In which, class A4 is granted to drivers of tractors with a load capacity of up to 1,000 kg. Class B1 is granted to non-professional drivers of passenger cars with up to 9 seats; trucks and tractors with a load capacity of less than 3,500 kg.

Class B2 is granted to drivers who operate passenger cars with up to 9 seats; trucks and tractors with a load capacity of less than 3,500 kg.