Vietnam announces sweeping reforms to driver license exams, boosting road safety with tougher theory tests and new practical standards. Learn the details now!
Vietnam’s traffic authority has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of its driver licensing system. The reforms aim to raise road safety standards by tightening theory exams, revamping practical assessments, and speeding up the issuance process.
Key Changes to Theory Tests
- More questions, longer time: Motorcycle licences (A, A1) will increase from 25 to 40 questions, with a time limit rising from 19 to 27 minutes. Candidates must answer at least 36 correctly.
- Car licences (B): Questions rise from 30 to 50, and the exam time expands from 20 to 33 minutes. A passing score of 45 correct answers is required.
- Expanded content: The new syllabus eliminates memorisation tricks and adds material on criminal law related to traffic offences, administrative penalties, and accident‑prevention strategies.
- Electronic identification: All candidates will be verified through a biometric device and an e‑authentication app.
New Practical Exam Structure
Motorcycle (A, A1) Tests
- Theoretical section followed by two practical assessments.
- Eleven simulated road‑scenario drills, covering merges from side streets, priority‑road decisions, U‑turns, overtaking, and more.
Car (B) Road Test
The on‑road examination will be conducted on a minimum 5‑km circuit that reflects real traffic conditions. The test consists of 12 distinct tasks:
- Vehicle safety check and start‑off
- Overtaking another vehicle
- Accelerating and lane changes (adjusted to actual road infrastructure)
- Left‑turn maneuver
- Right‑turn maneuver
- U‑turn execution
- Avoiding oncoming traffic
- Yielding to pedestrians or wheelchair users
- Stopping and opening the door safely in hazardous situations
- Transitioning from a side street to a main road (and vice‑versa)
- Observing traffic‑light signals (based on real‑world conditions)
- Final vehicle shutdown and door opening
Applicants may repeat individual tasks without following a strict order, giving them flexibility to improve specific skills.
Streamlined Licensing Process
- New licence issuance time reduced from 7 days to 3.5 days; electronic data integration cut from 3 days to 2 hours.
- Renewal processing shortened from 5 days to 2.5 days, with electronic integration now taking just 1 day.
- International driving permits will be issued in 2.5 days instead of 5.
Implementation Timeline
- July 1, 2026: Draft decree approved; removal of the computer‑based simulation test for car licences.
- March 1, 2027: New theory and practical exam formats become mandatory.
- January 1, 2027: Electronic candidate identification system goes live.
- January 1, 2028: Introduction of the extended 11‑scenario simulation for motorcycle licences and the related training equipment.
These reforms signal Vietnam’s commitment to cultivating responsible drivers and reducing traffic accidents through stricter testing and faster, more transparent licensing procedures.