This proposal was outlined by the Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security, in a draft amendment and supplement to Circular 65/2024, which governs legal knowledge examinations for driver's license (GPLX) point restoration.
Instead of using simulation software, the drafting agency proposes focusing on core legal knowledge and skills for identifying and preventing violations through a set of theoretical questions.
To compensate for the removal of the simulation test and ensure examination quality, the Ministry of Public Security has proposed doubling the number of computer-based theoretical questions for all driver's license categories.
Additionally, the new question set will include important knowledge areas such as: awareness of the Penal Code, primarily offenses related to road traffic violations; driver ethics, traffic culture, fire prevention and fighting, and search and rescue.
The drafting agency explained that on 31/3, the government issued Decree 94/2026, which officially abolished the traffic simulation examination content. Therefore, amending the point restoration examination content is necessary to ensure consistency across legal documents.
License re-applicants can submit documents at commune police stations
According to the proposal, citizens can submit their applications directly at the commune, ward, or town police stations where they reside. Commune-level police officers will be responsible for receiving, checking documents, and issuing appointment slips to applicants.
Specifically, commune-level police must forward applications to the Traffic Police Department no later than one working day.
This decentralization aims to serve residents at the local level, reducing travel time and costs, especially for those in remote areas.
Citizens can also submit applications online via the National Public Service Portal, the National Identification Application (VNeID), or other police force applications.
Under current regulations, individuals who fail the point restoration examination must wait 7 working days before re-registering. The new draft proposes a more flexible approach, allowing individuals to re-register immediately for the next examination.
Applicants can take the examination at the same agency or choose another competent authority.
Notably, if a health certificate remains valid, applicants only need to submit an application form without re-preparing their entire dossier. This regulation aims to simplify procedures and save time for citizens.
Non-Vietnamese speakers can take oral exams
A humanitarian new point in the draft is the specific provisions for ethnic minorities who cannot read or write Vietnamese.
Currently, Circular 65/2024 stipulates that all individuals, including illiterate ethnic minorities, must take the theoretical examination via software with the assistance of an interpreter.
The Traffic Police Department has made an important adjustment in the draft. Specifically, for ethnic minorities who cannot read or write Vietnamese, authorities will organize a separate examination using an oral question-and-answer format and paper-based multiple-choice tests.
They can either hire their own interpreter or use one provided by the competent authority. Foreigners, however, must use an interpreter hired by the competent authority.
Interpreters must commit to accurately and fully translating questions and providing complete instructions to ensure applicants take the test honestly.
This proposal aims to provide the most favorable conditions for ethnic minorities to access the examination, while also preventing situations where some literate individuals "pretend not to know" to rely on interpreters for fraudulent results.
The draft will be submitted for signing before 1/7 and will take effect 45 days after its issuance.
Hai Thu
