How long is the latest driver's license validity?
What does the current law stipulate about the time limit for issuing a driver's license? This is a concern of Ms. Hoang Thi Tho (Nghi Loc, Nghe An).
Reply:Pursuant to Article 19, Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA regulating the time limit for issuing driving licenses:
Driver's license
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 expired driving licenses, including people with military driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense, driving licenses in the People's Public Security when no longer performing 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 expiration date 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 expiration date, 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 expiration date, 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 for 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 requirements 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 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.
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.