According to the new regulations, the names and classification of vehicles allowed to be driven, both for motorbikes and cars, have changed. For cars, the driving license will only be class B, replacing the currently applied classes B1 and B2.
Accordingly, from January 1, 2025, people newly granted B1 driving licenses will not be allowed to drive vehicles as before (including cars). Instead, people granted B1 driving licenses will be allowed to drive the following types of vehicles: Three-wheeled motorbikes; Two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of up to 125cm3 or an electric motor capacity of up to 11kW.
Therefore, from 2025, car drivers must take the driving license test from class B or higher to be eligible to drive a car.
However, Article 89 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety No. 36/2024/QH15 also clearly states that Driver's licenses issued before the effective date of this Law shall continue to be used according to the term stated on the driver's license.
Thus, if not yet changed or reissued according to the provisions of this Law, a Class B1 driving license granted to a non-professional driver is allowed to continue driving a car carrying up to 8 people (excluding the driver's seat); a truck or tractor with a load capacity of less than 3,500 kg.
In case a person with a B1 driving license issued before the effective date of this Law needs to change or re-issue the driving license, he/she shall do as follows:
A Class B1 automatic driving license can be changed or reissued to a Class B driving license with the restriction that it can only be used to drive automatic cars;
Class B1 and B2 driving licenses can be changed or reissued to Class B or Class C1 driving licenses and specialized motorbike driving certificates for tractor drivers with a load capacity of up to 3,500 kg;
Drivers who have been trained to drive before the effective date of this Law or are being trained to drive on the effective date of this Law but have not been tested or granted a driver's license shall be tested and granted a driver's license according to the driver's license class changed or reissued under the new regulations.
