What Tonnage Truck Can a Category D License Drive? A-Z Guide
What Tonnage Truck Can a Category D License Drive? A-Z Guide

What Tonnage Truck Can a Category D License Drive? A-Z Guide

09/02/2025
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Earlier this year, I ran into Tuan, an old high school friend who works as a truck driver in Cau Giay, Hanoi. Seeing him weathered from the sun and hard work, I asked about his job. He told me he only had a category C license and had been driving light trucks for years. He confided, “I want to upgrade, drive a bigger truck for a higher income, but I heard there’s a limit on truck tonnage for a category D license. I don’t know how many tons a category D license allows. Can anyone help me?” Realizing my friend was unclear about road traffic laws, I decided to research and share the information with Tuan and others who have the same question.

Legal Tonnage Limit for Category D License

According to Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT on training, testing, and issuing driving licenses for road motor vehicles, a category D license permits driving the following vehicles:

  • Passenger vehicles with up to 30 seats, excluding the driver’s seat, designed to carry both passengers and goods or goods only, with a design payload not exceeding 1,500 kg.
  • Trucks, including specialized trucks, with a design payload from 3,500 kg to under 7,500 kg.
  • Tractor-trailers and semi-trailer trucks with a design payload from 3,500 kg to under 7,500 kg.

Therefore, a category D license allows driving trucks with a payload from 3,500 kg to under 7,500 kg, which is from 3.5 tons to under 7.5 tons. To drive trucks over 7.5 tons, you need a category FC license.

Important Note:

  • Design Payload: The maximum weight of cargo a vehicle is allowed to carry, excluding the weight of the vehicle itself and fuel.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: The total weight of the vehicle, including the weight of the vehicle, fuel, passengers, and cargo.

Truck Payload by License Category

License Category Truck Payload (Tons) Permitted Vehicles
Category B2 Under 3.5 Passenger cars, vans
Category C From 3.5 Trucks, dump trucks, tractor-trailers, specialized trucks with a design payload of 3,500 kg or more
Category D From 3.5 to under 7.5 Passenger vehicles up to 30 seats, trucks, tractor-trailers with a payload from 3,500 kg to under 7,500 kg
Category FC Over 7.5 Trucks, tractor-trailers, specialized trucks with a design payload over 7,500 kg

FAQs about Category D License and Trucks

1. Can a Category D license drive a 16-seater vehicle?

Answer: Yes. A category D license allows driving passenger vehicles with up to 30 seats, so you can drive a 16-seater vehicle.

2. What license is required to drive a truck over 10 tons?

Answer: To drive a truck over 10 tons, you need a category FC license.

3. How long does it take to obtain a category D license?

Answer: Training for a category D license typically takes 3-6 months, depending on the training center.

4. I want to buy a 5-ton truck. Which model should I choose?

Answer: XE TẢI HÀ NỘI offers a variety of 5-ton trucks to suit your needs, such as:

  • Thaco Towner 990 Truck
  • Hyundai H150 Truck
  • Isuzu QKR Truck

Thaco Towner 990 TruckThaco Towner 990 Truck

5. Where can I find reputable truck driving schools in Hanoi?

Answer: You can check out reputable driving schools in districts like Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, and Ha Dong.

Feng Shui for Trucks – Choosing the Right Color for Your Zodiac Sign

Vietnamese people value Feng Shui, especially when buying vehicles. Choosing a truck color that matches your zodiac sign and element is believed to bring luck and prosperity to the owner. For example, people with the Metal element should choose white or silver gray vehicles, while those with the Wood element should choose green or blue vehicles.

Buy Trucks with Confidence at XE TẢI HÀ NỘI

If you’re looking for a reliable place to buy trucks in Hanoi, come to XE TẢI HÀ NỘI. We offer a wide range of trucks from reputable brands like Hyundai, Thaco, Isuzu, and Hino, with guaranteed quality and competitive prices.

In addition, XE TẢI HÀ NỘI provides services such as loan support, registration, and vehicle inspection, saving customers time and effort.

Hyundai H150 TruckHyundai H150 Truck

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has answered your question, “What tonnage truck can a category D license drive?” Besides understanding license regulations, you should also research truck types, payloads, and cargo bed dimensions to choose the vehicle that best suits your needs. Drive safely and successfully!

Leave a comment or contact XE TẢI HÀ NỘI if you need further advice on trucks!

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