On the morning of June 27, the National Assembly voted to pass the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law. This is one of the two laws separated from the Road Traffic Law, along with the Highway Law.
Coming into force from January 1, 2025, the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law introduces several new provisions regarding driver’s license classifications. According to this Law, driver’s licenses are categorized into 15 classes, including A, A1, B, B1, C, C1, D, D1, D2, BE, C1E, CE, DE, D1E, and D2E. Compared to the previous regulations, the number of license classifications has increased by two.
Among these, the A1 license will be granted to drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cc or an electric motor power of up to 11 kW. The A license will be issued to those driving two-wheeled motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of over 125 cc or an engine power of more than 11 kW, as well as vehicles specified for the A1 license. The B1 license will be given to drivers of three-wheeled motorcycles and vehicles specified for the A1 license.
Consequently, starting in 2025, individuals operating motorcycles with engine capacities above 125 cc, such as the Honda Winner X, Yamaha Exciter 155, and Honda Vario 160, will be required to obtain an A license, similar to large-displacement motorcycles, instead of the A1 license as per the current regulations.
For automobiles, the B license will be designated for driving cars with up to 8 seats (excluding the driver’s seat), trucks, and specialized vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons. This classification combines the B1 license (for non-professional drivers operating vehicles with up to 9 seats and trucks below 3.5 tons) and the B2 license (for professional drivers of vehicles with up to 9 seats and trucks under 3.5 tons).
Meanwhile, the C license has been divided into C1 (for driving vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tons) and C (for vehicles over 7.5 tons). Previously, the C license was issued for driving trucks weighing 3.5 tons or more.
Following this, the D license has been separated into D1 (for vehicles with 8 to 16 seats, excluding the driver’s seat), D2 (for 16 to 29 seats), and D (for more than 29 seats). According to the current regulations, the D license is granted to drivers of passenger vehicles with a capacity of 10 to 30 seats.
The BE license will be awarded to individuals driving vehicles specified for the B license, along with towing a trailer with a designed total weight of over 750 kg. Similarly, the C1E, CE, D1E, D2E, and DE licenses will be granted to those operating vehicles in the C1, C, D1, D2, and D categories, respectively, with the ability to tow trailers with a designed total weight exceeding 750 kg.
According to the new Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, licenses of types A1, A, and B1 have no expiration date. In contrast, the B and C1 licenses are valid for 10 years, while the C, D1, D2, and D licenses, along with the trailer licenses, are valid for only five years.
Additionally, the Law stipulates the minimum age requirements for driving different types of vehicles:
– Individuals aged 16 and above are permitted to drive motorcycles with an engine capacity of less than 50 cc or an electric motor power not exceeding 4 kW.
– Those aged 18 and above are eligible for the A1, A, B1, B, and C1 licenses.
– Individuals aged 21 and above can obtain the C and BE licenses.
– The minimum age for the D1, D2, C1E, and CE licenses is 24 years.
– Applicants must be at least 27 years old to be granted the D, D1E, D2E, and DE licenses.
Driver’s licenses for both motorcycles and automobiles issued before the effective date of the Law will remain valid according to their specified duration. However, the Law encourages individuals to replace their unlimited-term licenses issued before July 1, 2012.
When individuals holding licenses granted before the Law’s effective date wish to renew or replace their licenses, the following principles will apply:
– Those possessing an A1 license (as per the 2008 Road Traffic Law) will be transitioned to the A license but will only be permitted to drive motorcycles up to 175 cc or with an electric motor power of up to 14 kW.
– The A2 license will be converted to the A license.
– The A3 license will be exchanged for the B1 license.
– The B1 automatic transmission license will be changed to the B license, but holders will only be allowed to operate automatic vehicles.
– The B1 and B2 licenses will be replaced with the B and C1 licenses.
– The C license will remain the same.
– The D license will be renewed as the D2 license.
– The E license will be changed to the D license.
– The FB2 license will be replaced with the C1E license, and so forth.
