Some candidates appeared nervous at the starting line, slow to start their vehicles, but regained their composure after careful instructions from the examiners. (Photo: Thanh Tung - Dinh Van)

At 8 p.m. on 29/7, hundreds of people filled two rooms at the Mien Dong Driving Test Center in Long Thanh My ward, former District 9, Ho Chi Minh City. They awaited their turn to take the practical driving test on the closed course. These candidates had already completed the three parts of the theory, simulation, and 2-km on-road driving tests starting at 7:30 a.m. and waited until evening for the final part.

The backlog of 119,000 applications, including approximately 80,000 for motorcycles, resulted from a pause in testing while responsibilities were transferred from the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) to the Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security). This transfer occurred in mid-May 2025.

To address this, the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Department has been conducting tests day and night at various centers to reduce waiting times.

Vehicles navigate through 11 exercises on the closed course. The center has installed lighting to assist candidates during nighttime tests. (Photo: Thanh Tung - Dinh Van)

In the room next to the closed course, many candidates gathered around staff to receive their test numbers.

The Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police resumed driving tests on 14/5. Before this, the city police established a dedicated Traffic Police Driving Test and Licensing Team along with two testing boards for cars and A1 motorcycles. The testing process remains the same: after document verification, candidates take the theory and simulation tests on computers, followed by the closed course test.

While waiting, people relaxed and chatted to pass the time. (Photo: Thanh Tung - Dinh Van)

After their documents are checked, candidates begin the closed course test. They have a maximum of 18 minutes to complete this test, with one point deducted for every second over the limit. A passing score is 80/100.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Chi Cuong, Deputy Director of the Mien Dong Driving Test Center, said the center has 30 cars for various license categories and 7 motorcycles, accommodating nearly 800 car license applicants and 1,400 motorcycle license applicants daily.

At the end of May, the car driving test pass rate was around 63%, increasing to 70% by July. According to Lieutenant Colonel Cuong, the initial pass rate was average because the long wait times caused many to forget what they learned. However, the pass rate has since increased.

Some candidates appeared nervous at the starting line, slow to start their vehicles, but regained their composure after careful instructions from the examiners. (Photo: Thanh Tung - Dinh Van)

Many people observed the candidates taking the test in the dark. Nguyen Quang Vu, 34, said his original test date was in 3/2025, but it was postponed until now. He traveled from Binh Duong province, arriving at the center at 7 a.m., and finished the theory and simulation tests in 30 minutes. After completing the on-road driving test at noon, he waited over 7 hours for the final part. "Waiting for more than half a day was tiring, but I'm glad I finally got to take the test," Vu said.

Vehicles navigate through 11 exercises on the closed course. The center has installed lighting to assist candidates during nighttime tests. (Photo: Thanh Tung - Dinh Van)

While waiting, people relaxed and chatted to pass the time. (Photo: Thanh Tung - Dinh Van)

Pham Thanh Thi listened attentively to the examiner's instructions before his test. After 16 minutes on the closed course, he excitedly exited the vehicle, having passed his B-class driving test.

Thi registered for driving lessons at the end of last year and was scheduled to take the test in 1/2025, but it was postponed for six months. He spent weeks reviewing the theory before the test. Knowing he would be taking the practical test at night, he rented a car to practice at the same time as the test to familiarize himself with the conditions.

According to Thi, judging distances and corners on the closed course is more challenging at night. "I think taking the practical test at night is beneficial, as it helps drivers focus more and gain experience for driving on the road," Thi said.

After the tests concluded at 9:30 p.m., the 12-member testing board and traffic police processed the results, categorizing candidates as passed, failed, absent, or incomplete, and entered the information into the system.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Cuong, to prevent further backlogs, the team works until midnight to complete the paperwork, ensuring everything is processed daily. "We work over 16 hours a day to expedite the processing of driving test applications from previous months, assisting the public," Lieutenant Colonel Cuong said.

Thanh Tung - Dinh Van