How long is the latest driver's license validity?

Reply:Pursuant to Article 19, Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regulating the time limit for issuing driving licenses:

Driver's license issuance

1. The Traffic Police Department shall issue a driving license to a person who passes the test within 7 working days from the end of the test. The electronic driving license shall be integrated into the electronic data system and electronic identification account within 3 working days from the end of the test.

2. The issuance of driving licenses to people with expired driving licenses of all classes; lost driving licenses and those driving licenses are expired, including people with military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense, driving licenses in the People's Public Security when they no longer perform defense and security duties, is carried out as follows:

a. People with driving licenses in the above cases must have their names in the driving license information system at the Traffic Police Department or the list of driving license issuance (management book). In case a military driving license issued by the Ministry of National Defense is lost, there must be confirmation from the issuing agency and they must take the following tests:

In case the driving license expires less than 01 month from the date of expiration and the driving license holder cannot carry out the procedure to change the driving license due to illness, natural disaster, fire, or epidemic, that person does not have to take the theory test to be granted a driving license.

In case the driving license expires less than 01 year from the date of expiration, a theoretical test must be taken according to the provisions in Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular to issue a driving license.

In case the driving license has expired for 1 year or more from the date of expiration, it is required to take a theoretical and practical driving test in the form and on the road to issue a driving license according to the provisions in Clauses 1, 2, 3, Article 4 of this Circular.

Application for examination shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 16 of this Circular;

b. A person with a driving license as prescribed in Point a of this Clause who needs to review must register with a driving training facility or driving test center to receive review instructions;

c. In case a person with a driving license specified in Point a of this Clause fails the test to be granted a driving license, if there is a need, he/she must register with the Traffic Police Department to retake the test.

3. Not yet examining and issuing driving licenses to violators of road traffic order and safety who have not yet completed the request of competent state agencies to resolve and handle administrative violations in the field of road traffic order and safety.

Accordingly, the Traffic Police Department shall issue driving licenses to those who pass the test within 7 working days from the end of the test. The electronic driving license shall be integrated into the electronic data system and electronic identification account within 3 working days from the end of the test.

Previously, the time limit for issuing a driving license was stipulated in Article 34, Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT as: No more than 10 days from the end date of the examination period and the person who passed the examination period has completed the obligation to pay the driving license fee.