The Ministry of Transport responds to concerns about shortcomings in driver's license testing.
Recently, voters have raised many concerns about shortcomings in the driver's license examination process.
Specifically, voters in Phu Tho province have raised concerns about the driver training program stipulated by the Ministry of Transport, noting several shortcomings that prevent its practical implementation, such as vehicle repair skills and electronic cabin training. Implementing all these components would significantly increase training costs, while tuition fees are capped, making it difficult for driver training and testing centers to comply. They request that the Ministry of Transport consider and research appropriate solutions.
Responding to this issue on August 21st, the Ministry of Transport stated that, regarding the proposal that "the driver training program as regulated by the Ministry of Transport has many shortcomings leading to its impracticality,"
On March 31, 2023, the Minister of Transport issued Decision No. 388/QD-BGTVT adjusting and supplementing the program for drafting legal documents for the first six months of 2023 of the Ministry of Transport.
Specifically, Appendix 2 attached to Decision No. 388/QD-BGTVT assigns agencies under the Ministry of Transport to draft a Circular amending and supplementing several articles of Circulars related to road transport, road transport support services, vehicles, and drivers. The Ministry of Transport is expected to issue this Circular in December 2023.
Accordingly, in the draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT dated April 15, 2017, of the Minister of Transport, regulating the training, examination, and issuance of driver's licenses for road motor vehicles, the drafting agency has revised the driver training program. This includes revisions to both the theoretical and practical aspects of driving.
Thus, according to the Ministry of Transport, the above-mentioned recommendations from voters in Phu Tho have been accepted by the Ministry of Transport and included in the draft circular. The draft circular will then be subject to widespread consultation and the compilation of feedback to finalize it before issuance.
Regarding the voter's suggestion that "training costs will increase while tuition fees are capped," the Ministry of Transport stated that Clause 4, Article 2 of Joint Circular No. 72/2011/TTLT-BTC-BGTVT dated May 27, 2011, issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport, guiding the financial management mechanism for road motor vehicle driver training, stipulates the following regarding tuition fee collection: "Based on regulations on driver training facilities, training programs, professional standards of the teaching staff issued by the Ministry of Transport, and fuel consumption norms issued by driver training facilities; and current financial expenditure regulations."
Motor vehicle driving training facilities establish and determine specific tuition fees for each driver's license category, detailed by module, and report to the supervising Ministry or authorized agency (for driving training facilities under ministries), or to the Provincial People's Committee or authorized agency (for driving training facilities under local authorities, including non-public facilities) for monitoring.
Training institutions are responsible for deciding on and managing tuition fees. Competent state agencies are responsible for inspection and supervision as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 7 of the Circular. If a training institution sets and collects tuition fees improperly, appropriate action will be taken.
The Ministry of Transport stated that, according to current regulations, road motor vehicle driving training facilities determine and set tuition fees; the tuition fee for driving training must be publicly disclosed to students before signing a training contract.
