The Road to Seamless License Renewal: Streamlining the Process for a Smoother Ride

Prior to this, from February 17th to 18th, several localities had announced temporary suspensions of driver’s license issuance before the transfer of this task to the Ministry of Public Security, including Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Binh Thuan, Long An, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Lao Cai, Ha Tinh, and Vinh Phuc, among others.

However, on February 19th, when the Vietnam Directorate for Roads issued a directive, many localities reversed their decision and resumed accepting applications for driver’s license exchanges.

For instance, the Lao Cai Department of Transport had previously announced that from 0:00 on February 18th, they would temporarily halt the acceptance of applications for driving license exchanges and reissues for all types of motor vehicles (including both direct acceptance at the provincial Public Administration Service Center, postal acceptance points, and online applications via the National Public Service Portal).

Nevertheless, on February 19th, this locality resumed accepting and processing applications for license exchanges and reissues, as well as organizing driving tests and issuing licenses.

Similarly, the Binh Duong Department of Transport had also released a notice regarding the temporary suspension of accepting and processing administrative procedures related to driver’s license issuance and exchanges starting February 19th.

Hanoi Department of Transport continues to conduct tests and issue driver’s licenses as usual until the task transfer

The transport sector in Binh Duong considered this a crucial step in preparing for the transfer of responsibilities for driving tests and license issuance from the Department of Transport to the Provincial Police, as per regulations. However, in their latest announcement on the afternoon of February 19th, the locality stated that the transport sector would continue to accept driver’s license applications after February 19th as usual.

Meanwhile, on February 19th, the Hanoi Department of Transport submitted a report to the City People’s Committee regarding the coordination in serving the transfer of state management tasks related to driving tests and driver’s license issuance from the Department of Transport to the Hanoi Police.

According to the Hanoi Department of Transport, from February 12, 2025, onwards, representatives of the Hanoi Police (Traffic Police Division) and the Department of Transport (Vehicle and Driver Management Division, Office of the Department) have regularly conducted surveys, exchanged information, and agreed on the necessary preparations for the task transfer.

Notably, the Department of Transport is currently maintaining its professional tasks as stipulated, ensuring uninterrupted operations and avoiding any impact on individuals and business service providers.

At the same time, they are also preparing all relevant aspects for the transfer of responsibilities for driving tests and driver’s license issuance from the Department of Transport to the Hanoi Police, pending the official transfer decision.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport also announced that they would continue to process driver’s license exchange applications during the preparation and transition period when handing over the functions and tasks of testing and license issuance to the Public Security sector.

Mr. Luong Duyen Thong, Head of the Vehicle and Driver Management Division (Vietnam Directorate for Roads), affirmed that neither the Ministry of Transport nor the Vietnam Directorate for Roads had directed the Departments of Transport to suspend driver’s license issuance during the waiting period for the transfer of responsibilities for driving tests and motor vehicle driver’s license issuance from the Ministry of Transport to the Ministry of Public Security.

Previously, the Vietnam Directorate for Roads had only issued a document reminding the Departments of Transport about the plan and organization of the unit in charge of receiving and returning driver’s licenses before the transfer date.

In the official letter on the morning of February 19th, the Vietnam Directorate for Roads requested the Departments of Transport to have a plan for receiving and processing applications for driver’s license exchanges and reissues, as well as the issuance of international driver’s licenses. The acceptance and signing of driver’s licenses must be continuous and uninterrupted until the competent authority stipulates the time for the official transfer of tasks.

Additionally, they should also plan and conduct appropriate examination sessions to complete the issuance of decisions recognizing successful candidates and their driver’s licenses before the stipulated time for the task transfer.

Ngan Tuyen (ANTĐ)