Choosing between automatic and manual transmission for your driving license? Learn the pros and cons to make the right decision. Read more!
In Vietnam, obtaining a driving license for vehicles under 9 seats used to involve separate categories for automatic (B1) and manual (B2) transmissions. However, as of 2025, these have been consolidated into a single category: B.
Understanding the New License Category
According to Article 57 of the 2024 Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, Category B licenses are now valid for operating vehicles carrying up to 8 passengers (excluding the driver), trucks, and specialized vehicles with a total design weight of up to 3,500 kg. It also covers vehicles with a Category B license towing a trailer with a total design weight of up to 750 kg.
Choosing Your Training: Automatic or Manual?
While the law doesn’t specify transmission type, training centers offer two options: B01, exclusively for automatic transmissions, and B, which allows drivers to operate both manual and automatic vehicles after passing the practical exam.
Quang Dinh, a driving instructor in Ho Chi Minh City, explains that the license will clearly indicate on the back whether it permits driving manual or automatic vehicles.
Impact on Commercial Drivers
For those planning to operate commercial transport services like taxis, holding a Category B license for automatic transmissions requires additional vocational training. A Category B license for manual transmissions allows immediate entry into the commercial transport sector without further training.
Current Trends: A Shift Towards Automatic
Dinh notes that the majority of his students currently opt for the automatic transmission license. “Learning and passing the exam for automatic transmissions is generally easier, making it a popular choice,” he says.
The Vietnamese Automotive Market & Transmission Preference
This trend aligns with the broader Vietnamese automotive market, where automatic transmissions are increasingly prevalent. Vietnamese consumers have fewer choices for manual vehicles, with most cars now equipped with either conventional or continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearboxes.
Limited Manual Options Available
Some of the few remaining manual options in Vietnam include the Hyundai Grand i10 MT, Toyota Vios MT, Hyundai Accent MT, Kia Soluto MT, Mitsubishi Attrage MT, Mitsubishi Xpander MT, Toyota Avanza Premio MT, New MG5, MG50 1.5 MT COM, Toyota Hilux MT, Isuzu D-Max MT, and Isuzu mu-X B7.
In the affordable compact car segment, the Hyundai Grand i10 is the only model still offering a manual transmission. The Toyota Wigo and Kia Morning previously had manual versions, but they have been discontinued.
SUV & Pickup Truck Trends
The popular B-segment SUV market doesn’t offer any manual transmission options. Both the Toyota Yaris Cross and Mitsubishi Xforce are exclusively available with CVT automatic transmissions.
Even the popular Ford Ranger pickup truck no longer offers a manual transmission. The new Mitsubishi Triton also comes only with a 6-speed automatic. Currently, only the Isuzu D-Max and Isuzu mu-X offer manual transmission options in the pickup truck segment.
High-Performance Vehicles & Manuals
The Honda Civic Type R was once a popular manual option in the high-performance car segment. However, with Honda Vietnam only selling the final 10 units of the Civic Type R, this option is becoming increasingly rare.
Manuals for Commercial Use
Many of the remaining manual transmission vehicles are primarily used for commercial transport purposes, making a Category B license for manual transmissions a practical choice for those entering this sector.
Expert Advice: Choose Based on Your Needs
From the perspective of a seasoned driving instructor, Quang Dinh advises students to choose between a Category B license for manual or automatic transmissions based on their individual needs. If the vehicle will be used for personal use only, an automatic license is more practical given the limited availability of manual cars in Vietnam. However, those planning to operate commercial transport services should opt for a manual license.