What is the latest validity period for a new driver's license?

Reply:Based on Article 19 of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA, the validity period for driver's licenses is stipulated as follows:

Issuing driver's licenses

1. The Traffic Police Department issues driver's licenses to those who pass the driving test within 7 working days from the date the test ends. Electronic driver's licenses are integrated into the electronic data system and electronic identification account within 3 working days from the date the test ends.

2. The issuance of driver's licenses to individuals holding expired driver's licenses of any class; those who have lost their driver's licenses and whose licenses have expired, including those holding military driver's licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense, and driver's licenses in the People's Public Security Force when they cease performing national defense and security duties, shall be carried out as follows:

a. Individuals holding driver's licenses under the above circumstances must have their names listed in the driver's license information system at the Traffic Police Department or in the list of issued driver's licenses (management register). In the case of a military driver's license issued by the Ministry of National Defense that has been lost, confirmation from the issuing authority is required. They must then take the following examinations:

In cases where a driver's license has expired for less than one month and the license holder is unable to renew it due to illness, natural disaster, fire, or epidemic, they are not required to retake the theoretical driving test.

If a driver's license has expired for less than one year from its expiration date, a theoretical examination must be conducted as prescribed in point a, clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular to issue a new driver's license.

In cases where a driver's license has expired for one year or more, a theoretical 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 of Article 4 of this Circular.

The application for examination shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 16 of this Circular;

b. Individuals holding a driver's license as stipulated in point a of this clause who wish to review the material may register with driver training facilities or driver's license testing centers to receive guidance on the review process;

c. In cases where a person holding a driver's license as stipulated in point a of this section fails the driving test to obtain a new driver's license, they may register with the Traffic Police Department to retake the test if they so wish.

3. Failure to conduct driving license examinations for individuals who violate road traffic order and safety regulations and who have not yet fulfilled the requirements of competent state agencies regarding the resolution and handling of administrative violations in the field of road traffic order and safety.

Accordingly, the Traffic Police Department issues driver's licenses to those who pass the examination within 7 working days from the date the examination ends. Electronic driver's licenses are integrated into the electronic data system and electronic identification account within 3 working days from the date the examination ends.

Previously, the time limit for issuing a driver's license was stipulated in Article 34 of Circular 35/2024/TT-BGTVT as: No more than 10 days from the date of completion of the examination and after the successful candidate has fulfilled the obligation to pay the driver's license issuance fee.