On 28/11, a representative from the Traffic Police Department announced that through the draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 12/2025, the department has advised the Ministry of Public Security to amend and abolish many regulations concerning driver's license testing and issuance, as well as the issuance and use of international driver's licenses. These revisions aim to simplify driver's license renewal procedures, reduce the number of required documents, and expand the use of electronic data in processing applications.

People processing driver's license issuance and renewal in Hanoi. *Photo: Hieu Dinh*

Driver's licenses will be issued electronically and automatically integrated into the data system for ease of use and retrieval. Traffic police will primarily check electronic driver's licenses. Citizens desiring a physical license printed on PET material can register and pay the fee.

The department also proposed eliminating the requirement for a driver's license renewal application form to simplify the process. Information previously declared in the form will now be automatically sourced from the national population database and other traffic safety databases.

Citizens can use self-taken photos or images from their identification data when applying for renewal. Individuals with a Level 2 digital identity (via national identification apps, the VneTraffic traffic app, or other Ministry of Public Security apps) can renew their driver's license entirely online.

One month before a driver's license expires, the application will notify the account holder to undergo a health check. Electronic health examination results will be updated in the system, and upon expiration, the license will be automatically renewed.

Additionally, the department proposed reducing the driver's license issuance time from 7 to 4,5 days, and electronic data integration time from 3 to 2 days. Similarly, driver's license renewal time would decrease from 5 to 3,5 days, with electronic data integration taking 2 days instead of 3.

Regarding driver testing, the draft Circular includes several changes. Car driving tests will be adjusted by removing the simulation module and increasing the number of practical road test exercises. The practical test duration will be 15 minutes. Individuals with a high risk of causing accidents due to traffic safety violations will be suspended from testing to enhance safety requirements.

The department also proposed adding a comprehensive practical test for motorcycle examinations to more thoroughly assess candidates' control and traffic handling skills. Furthermore, new errors leading to test suspension will be introduced, specifically those related to unsafe driving skills and a high risk of causing accidents.

Two hours after the driver's license testing board concludes, successful candidates will be issued a driver's license code.

Viet An