At the beginning of the year, people in Nghe An province rushed to renew their driver's licenses.
The demand for renewing driver's licenses when they expire or due to people's lack of understanding of current regulations has led many to flock to the Provincial Public Administrative Service Center to complete the procedures in recent days. This has resulted in an overload, causing difficulties in receiving and processing applications.
People are rushing to exchange their driver's licenses.
Following the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake (2015), the administrative procedures area of the Department of Transportation at the Provincial Public Service Center has been consistently overloaded. The main reason is the sudden surge in the number of people applying for and renewing driver's licenses. Despite the cold and rainy weather on the afternoon of February 7th, a large number of people were still waiting to complete their procedures.
Besides those whose driver's licenses are due for renewal, some people are unaware of the new regulations after the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety came into effect on January 1, 2025. They worry that if they don't renew their licenses in time, their permits will become invalid. Therefore, many people have registered to renew their licenses even before their expiration date, causing a surge in the number of applications.
Ms. NTH, from Dien Chau district, shared: "I waited all morning for my turn. When the officer checked my driver's license, they said it expires in September 2025 and there's no requirement to renew it. I was worried because of information on social media and hearing others say that according to the new law, I have to renew my driver's license, so I came here. Now I understand the regulations clearly."
Besides, another factor contributing to the overload is the habits of many people. Although they know they can renew their driver's licenses online and receive them through the postal service, many still choose to go in person due to a lack of confidence in technology. Mr. Bui Ngoc Hung, residing in Nghi Kim commune, Vinh city, shared: "I know I can do it online, but I'm not tech-savvy and I'm afraid of encountering problems, so even though it's inconvenient and I have to wait a long time, I still go in person. That way, I can ask the staff if I don't understand anything."
Overcrowding at the Public Administrative Service Center has forced the Department of Transportation to deploy additional staff during peak days, but this is still insufficient to meet demand.
According to data from the Vehicle and Driver Management Department of the Department of Transport, an average of about 350 applications are received daily, including approximately 300 applications for driver's license renewal and 50 applications for license reinstatement. Meanwhile, the number of renewal applications submitted through the public service portal is around 100-150, a decrease compared to before.
Things you need to know about obtaining a driver's license from the beginning of 2025.
According to Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Head of the Vehicle and Driver Management Department of the Nghe An Department of Transport: In accordance with the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and the Circular of the Minister of Transport, the Nghe An Department of Transport had previously published information notifying relevant organizations and individuals about the issuance, renewal, and re-issuance of driver's licenses issued by the transport sector, effective from January 1, 2025.
Specifically, driver's licenses issued before the effective date of this Law shall continue to be valid for the period stated on the license.
In the case of individuals holding a driver's license issued before the effective date of the Law, if they wish to exchange or renew their driver's license, the conversion process is as follows:
a) A Class A1 driver's license can be exchanged or reissued as a Class A driver's license with the restriction that it only allows the driver to operate two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of less than 175 cm3 or an electric motor power of less than 14 kW;
b) A Class A2 driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class A driver's license;
c) A Class A3 driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class B1 driver's license;
d) A Class A4 driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload of up to 1,000 kg and a certificate of training in road traffic law for those operating specialized motor vehicles;
d) A Class B1 automatic driving license can be exchanged or reissued as a Class B driving license with the restriction that it can only be used to drive automatic cars;
e) Driving licenses of class B1 and B2 can be exchanged or reissued to class B or class C1 driving licenses and certificates for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload of up to 3,500 kg;
g) Class C driver's licenses remain unchanged and can be exchanged or reissued for the same class, as well as certificates for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload exceeding 3,500 kg;
h) A Class D driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class D2 driver's license and a certificate for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload exceeding 3,500 kg;
i) Class E driver's licenses can be exchanged or reissued for Class D driver's licenses and certificates for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload exceeding 3,500 kg;
k) A Class FB2 driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class BE or Class C1E driver's license and a certificate for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload of up to 3,500 kg;
l) A Class FC driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class CE driver's license and a certificate for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload exceeding 3,500 kg;
m) A Class FD driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class D2E driver's license and a certificate for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload exceeding 3,500 kg;
n) A Class FE driver's license can be exchanged or reissued for a Class DE driver's license and a certificate for operating specialized motor vehicles for those operating tractors with a payload exceeding 3,500 kg.
Regarding expired driver's licenses, the specific regulations are as follows: If the license has expired for less than one year, a theoretical test must be conducted as stipulated in point a, clause 1, Article 17 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT to issue a new driver's license. If the license has expired for one year or more, a theoretical test and practical driving test (on the driving course and on the road) must be conducted to issue a new driver's license as stipulated in clauses 1, 2, and 3, Article 17 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT.
Citizens who need to renew their driver's license issued by the Department of Transport can choose to follow the instructions below:
- Method 1: Go directly to the Public Administrative Service Center of Nghe An Province, Address: No. 16, Truong Thi Street, Vinh City, Nghe An Province, Phone: 0889.391.818 to complete the procedures.
- Method 2: Go directly to the Central Post Offices in the districts, cities, and towns of Nghe An province to complete the procedures.
- Method 3: Complete the driver's license renewal procedure online by accessing the National Public Service Portal at the following address:https://dichvucong.gov.vnThe online public service portal for exchanging driver's licenses of the Vietnam Road Administration is located at:https://dvc4.gplx.gov.vn
GUIDE TO ONLINE DRIVER'S LICENSE EXCHANGE PROCESS ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LEVEL 4)
Step 1: Get a health check-up at a qualified medical facility that is connected to the health insurance claims portal for drivers.
Step 2. Register an account at this address:https://dichvucong.gov.vnorhttps://dvc4.gplx.gov.vnChoose to log in to the system via your Electronic Identification Account (VNeID) or - Account issued by the National Public Service (registered using your primary phone number).
Step 3. Use your account to access the system.
- In the case of accessing the national public service portal:https://dichvucong.gov.vn(Select Online Public Services, select Change Driver's License, check the Ministry/Department, select Agree, select "Procedure for changing a driver's license issued by the Ministry of Transport (level 4)", select Submit Online)
- In the case of accessing the online public service portal of the Vietnam Road Administration:https://dvc4.gplx.gov.vnSelect Change driver's license
Step 4: Enter information, image files, driver's license, citizen identification card/ID card, check for violations, change of residence (if any).
Select:
+ Receiving agency: Nghe An Department of Transport
+ Receiving location: Nghe An Registration Office
+ Select the reason for replacement: (due for replacement, damaged, etc.)
+ Enter your driver's license number: it consists of 12 digits.
Lookup: Valid driver's license information if "This driver's license has not been revoked or temporarily suspended".
Additional information: (Changes to driver's information or outdated ID card number)
Enter your new citizen identification number.
+ Place of permanent residence, domicile.
Enter your health certificate number: select Search
Download file:
+ Portrait photo (blue background, photo format)
+ Photocopies of your driver's license, ID card/citizen identification card in PDF or Word format.
+ Enter all information marked with an asterisk (*).
- Select the option: I certify that my current driver's license is valid for renewal...
- Choose to continue receiving results at a store or receive results at home via mail (then enter the delivery address).
Payment: A list of linked banks in the system will appear; select your preferred bank and fill in all the required information. After payment is complete, you can print a receipt with your application code. This completes the entire driver's license renewal process.
Step 5: Receive your new driver's license at the Provincial Public Administration Service Center (16 Truong Thi Street, Vinh City, Nghe An Province) or have it delivered via post office, and return your old driver's license to have its corner cut off.
