* This translated version is originated from Ministry of Justice and for reference only.

Article 58.Conditions for drivers of vehicles to join in traffic

1. Drivers of vehicles to join in traffic must be of the age and in good health as prescribed in Article 60 of this Law, and proper driver licenses for the types of vehicle they are permitted to operate, which are granted by competent state agencies.

Learner drivers, when joining in traffic, shall practice driving on driving practice vehicles and have their driving supported by driving instructors.

2. When operating a vehicle, the driver shall carry the following papers:

a) Vehicle registration paper;

b) Driver license, for motor vehicle operators defined in Article 59 of this Law;

c) Technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate, for motor vehicles prescribed in Article 55 of this Law;

d) Motor vehicle owner civil liability insurance certificate.

Article 59.Driver licenses

1. Depending on types, engine capacity, mass and utilities of motor vehicles, driver licenses are classified into driver licenses with unlimited validity and driver licenses with limited validity.

2. Driver licenses with unlimited validity are of the following categories:

a) Category A1, granted to drivers of motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of between 50 cm3 and under 175 cm3;

b) Category A2, granted to drivers of motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 175 cm3 or higher and those prescribed for category-A1 driver licenses;

c) Category A3, granted to drivers of three-wheeled motor vehicles and those prescribed for category-A1 driver licenses and similar vehicles.

3. Disabled people operating three-wheeled motor vehicles designed for them shall be granted category-A1 driver licenses.

4. Driver licenses with limited validity are of the following categories:

a) Category A4, granted to drivers of tractors of a mass of up to 1,000 kg;

b) Category B1, granted to non-professional drivers of passenger cars of up to 9 seats, trucks and tractors of a mass of under 3,500 kg;

c) Category B2, granted to professional drivers of passenger cars of up to 9 seats, trucks and tractors of a mass of under 3,500 kg;

d) Category C, granted to drivers of trucks and tractors of a mass of 3,500 kg or higher and vehicle types prescribed for category-B1 and -B2 driver licenses;

e) Category D, granted to drivers of passenger cars of between 10 and 30 seats and vehicle types prescribed for category-B1, -B2 and -C driver licenses;

f) Category E, granted to drivers of passenger cars of over 30 seats and vehicle types prescribed for category-B1, -B2, -C and -D driver licenses;

g) Driver licenses of categories FB2, FD and FE, granted to drivers who already possess driver licenses of category B2, D or E to drive vehicles prescribed for these categories of driver licenses when pulling trailers or articulated passenger cars; driver licenses of category FC granted to drivers who already possess driver licenses of category C to drive vehicles prescribed for this category of driver license when pulling trailers or tractors pulling semi-trailers.

5. Driver licenses are valid nationwide and in the territories of countries or territories with which Vietnam has signed mutual driver license recognition commitments.

Article 60.Age and health of drivers

1. The driver age is prescribed as follows:

a) Persons aged full 16 years or older may drive mopeds with a cylinder capacity of under 50 cm3;

b) Persons aged full 18 years or older may drive motorcycles, three-wheeled motor vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 50 cm3 or higher and vehicles with similar structure; trucks, tractors with a mass of under 3,500 kg; passenger cars of up to 9 seats;

c) Persons aged full 21 years or older may drive trucks, tractors with a mass of 3,500 kg or more; category-B2 vehicles pulling trailers (FB2);

d) Persons aged full 24 years or older may drive passenger cars of between 10 and 30 seals; category-C vehicles pulling trailers or semi-trailers (FC);

e) Persons aged full 27 years or older may drive passenger cars of over 30 seals; category-D vehicles pulling trailers (FD);

f) The maximum age of drivers of 30 seat-plus passenger cars is 50 for women and 55 for men.

2. Drivers must be physically fit for the types and utilities of vehicles they drive. The Minister of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Minister of Transport in, prescribing health standards for drivers, periodical health checks for automobile drivers, and medical establishments providing such health checks.

Article 61.Driver training, examination to grant driver licenses

1. Driver training establishments are categorized as job training establishments, must meet all adequate conditions on classrooms, driving practice grounds and vehicles, driving instructors, course books and teaching materials and possess a license as prescribed.

2. Driver training establishments must comply with the contents and programs prescribed for each kind and category of driver license.

3. Persons who wish to have driver licenses of categories A1, A2, A3, A4 and B1 must be trained. Persons who wish to have driver licenses of categories B2, C, D, E and driver licenses of category F must be trained on a full-time basis at training establishments.

4. Training for driver license upgrading shall be conducted for the following cases:

a) Upgrading driver licenses from category B1 to B2;

b) Upgrading driver licenses from category B2 to C or D;

c) Upgrading driver licenses from category C to D or E;

d) Upgrading driver licenses from category D to E;

e) Upgrading driver licenses from category B2, C, D or E to categories of driver licenses for corresponding vehicles with trailers or semi-trailers.

5. Persons who wish to attend training for upgrading their driver licenses, in addition to satisfying the conditions prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article, must have a sufficient driving duration and a number of safe driving kilometers prescribed for each category of driver license; persons who wish to attend training for upgrading their driver licenses to category D or E must have at least completed lower secondary education.

6. The training of drivers of passenger cars of 10 seats or more and drivers of vehicles with trailers may only be conducted in the form of training for category upgrading under the conditions prescribed in Clauses 4 and 5 of this Article.

7. Examinations for the grant of driver licenses must be held at driver examination centers. Driver examination centers must be built according to planning, with material- technical foundations meeting the driver examination requirements as prescribed.

8. Driver examiners must possess an examiner card and shall take responsibility for the results of their examination.

9. Persons who have been trained and passed examinations shall be granted driver licenses of proper category.

For driver licenses with limited validity, before their expiration, drivers shall have heath checks and carry out the presented procedures for renewal of their driver licenses.

10. The Minister of Transport shall specify the conditions and criteria for and grant permits to training establishments; prescribe the training forms, contents and programs; examine, grant and renew driver licenses; the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Public Security shall issue regulations on training establishments, organization of training, examinations, grant and renewal of driver license for army and police forces performing defense and security tasks.

Article 62.Conditions for operators of special-use vehicles joining in traffic

1. Operators of special-use vehicles joining in traffic must reach eligible age and physically fit for their occupations, and possess a certificate of training in road traffic law, a license or certificate for operating special-use vehicles, granted by a special-use vehicle operator training establishment.

2. Operators of special-use vehicles in traffic must carry the following papers:

a) Vehicle registration paper;

b) Certificate of training in road traffic law, a license or certificate for operating special-use vehicles;

c) Technical safety and environmental protection inspection certificate, for special-use vehicles prescribed in Article 57 of this Law.

Article 63.Conditions on operators of rudimentary vehicles in traffic

1. Being physically fit for safe operation of vehicles.

2. Being knowledgeable about road traffic rules