The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, passed by the National Assembly and taking effect on January 1, 2025, introduces changes to the classification of driver’s licenses. Many individuals holding Category B1 or B2 driver’s licenses are concerned about whether they need to exchange their licenses before the aforementioned date.

Mr. Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, addressed this issue at a press conference on November 28, providing periodic updates on economic and social matters.

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport’s Deputy Director Bui Hoa An addresses the press on November 28. Photo: Anh Nhan.

Mr. An assured that all currently valid driver’s licenses, including those issued before 1995 with unlimited validity, will remain usable after January 1, 2025.

For B1 and B2 licenses that are still within their validity period, holders can continue using them until their expiration date and may choose to exchange them for a Category B license if desired.

Regarding the critical shortage of driver’s license paper forms, Mr. An acknowledged that the quantity available in Ho Chi Minh City has failed to meet the sudden surge in demand from residents.

As per regulations, local authorities are required to annually aggregate the necessary number of license paper forms and register them with the Road Bureau for bidding. Following the bidding process, the Department of Transport will sign supplementary contracts to procure the required number of paper forms.

All currently valid driver’s licenses, including those issued before 1995, will remain usable after January 1, 2025. Photo: Nhan Le.

“Recently, several provinces and cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, had to temporarily suspend the issuance and exchange of driver’s licenses, and even the driving tests,” Mr. An explained. “The Road Bureau has aggregated the demand from the provinces and cities and will continue the bidding process in the coming time.”

Mr. An confirmed a shortage of approximately 250,000 driver’s license paper forms in the city since October. The influx of a large number of residents from neighboring provinces and cities to obtain or exchange their licenses in Ho Chi Minh City has resulted in a supply-demand imbalance. The sudden increase in demand for license paper forms can partly be attributed to misunderstandings among the public. Many individuals mistakenly believed that older licenses would become invalid once the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety takes effect on January 1, 2025. It is anticipated that this issue will be resolved by December.

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