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Vietnam Driving License Guide for 2023

LONG

11/02/2025

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The story goes that in a small village along National Highway 1A, there was a man named Tuan who worked as a truck driver for hire. Every day, witnessing the shiny Hino trucks coming and going from the depot, Tuan cherished the dream of changing his life by buying his own truck.

After saving for a long time, he finally had enough money to buy a used truck. But when he went to inquire about the transfer procedures at the truck garage on Nguyen Van Linh Street, he was stunned: he only had a B2 license, while the truck required a C license!

Tuan’s story is a reminder of the importance of thoroughly understanding driving license regulations. So, specifically, what types of driving licenses are there and what are the requirements for obtaining them? Let’s find out with Hanoi Trucks in this article!

Common Types of Driving Licenses in Vietnam

According to Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, there are currently several types of driving licenses in Vietnam (B1, B2, C, D, E, F) for each type of vehicle and specific purpose:

Table 1: Classification of Car Driving Licenses

License Type	Class	Permitted Vehicle Type	Requirements
B1	1	Passenger cars up to 9 seats; trucks, vans with a payload under 3,500 kg	18 years old, good health
B2	2	Passenger cars up to 9 seats; trucks, vans with a payload under 3,500 kg, specialized motor vehicles	18 years old, good health, holding a B1 license for at least 3 years (waiting period can be shortened with a B1 license)
C	3	Trucks, tractors of all kinds with a payload of 3,500 kg or more	21 years old, good health, holding a B2 license for at least 3 years

Comparison table of car driving licenses

Note: In addition to the 3 common types of driving licenses above, there are also D, E, and F licenses for vehicles with more than 9 seats, semi-trailer trucks, and construction vehicles.

Important Considerations When Choosing a Driving License

To avoid a situation like Tuan’s, you need to keep in mind the following points when choosing the right driving license:

Determine your needs: What type of vehicle do you need to drive? What is the purpose of using the vehicle? From there, choose the most suitable driving license.
Thoroughly understand the regulations: Each type of driving license has specific regulations regarding age, health, training time, and testing. Carefully research information from official sources such as the website of the Vietnam Directorate for Roads, local Department of Transport, or reputable driving training centers like Hanoi Trucks.
Choose a driving training center: Prioritize reputable centers with experienced instructors, modern facilities, and especially a commitment to training quality.

Reputable driving training center

Frequently Asked Questions about Driving License Regulations

1. I want to buy a Hyundai truck to transport goods, what driving license do I need to take?

This depends on the payload of the truck you want to buy. If the truck has a payload of less than 3,500kg, you can take the B2 license test. If the truck has a payload of 3,500kg or more, you need to take the C license test.

2. I have had a B2 license for 2 years, can I take the C license test?

According to current regulations, you need to have a B2 license for at least 3 years to be eligible for the C license test.

3. I heard that truck feng shui is very important. So when choosing a truck, what feng shui factors should I consider?

There is an old saying, “There is worship, there is sacredness, there is abstinence, there is peace,” choosing a truck that is suitable for feng shui is also something that many drivers are interested in. Besides considering the color, direction of the vehicle, and license plate number according to your age, you can consult with feng shui experts to choose the most suitable vehicle.