7 new changes in health check regulations for drivers from 2025

The health check regulations for drivers from 2025 have 7 new changes. Among them, there is no longer a requirement for maternity check-ups and the health check-up certificate is valid for up to 12 months.

Driver health standards are divided into 3 groups.

The Ministry of Health has issued Circular No. 36/2024 regulating health standards, health examinations for drivers and specialized motorbike operators; periodic health examinations for car drivers; and health database of drivers and specialized motorbike operators (hereinafter referred to as Circular 36).

Circular 36 removes the requirement for maternity examination when examining health of drivers.

Circular 36 was signed and issued on November 16, 2024, effective from January 1, 2025.

Circular 36 has 7 new points compared to current regulations, regarding regulations: applicable grouping; Drug and alcohol testing; removing the periodic health examination book form in the old circular; adding regulations on the health database of drivers and specialized motorbike operators; increasing the validity period of driver health examination certificates; removing regulations on maternity examinations; and some changes in health standards for some specialties such as psychiatry, eyes, ear, nose and throat, etc.

In terms of grouping, Circular 36 stipulates that health standards for drivers and specialized motorbike operators are divided into 3 groups, including:

Group 1: Applies to medical examinations for issuance of A1, B1 driver's licenses and specialized motorbike drivers.

Group 2: Applies to medical examinations for issuance of class A and B driving licenses.

Group 3: Applies to medical examinations to issue driving licenses of classes C1, C, D1, D2, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, D2E and DE.

Current regulations according to the old circular: group 1 is for drivers of class A1; group 2: for drivers of class B1; group 3: for drivers of classes: A2, A3, A4, B2, C, D, E, FB2, FC, FD, FE.

Circular 36 stipulates that people with a driving license issued before January 1, 2025 who need to change or reissue their driving license from class A1 to class A driving license according to the provisions of Point a, Clause 3, Article 89 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety: will apply group 1 health standards for health examination.

According to Circular 36, people with disabilities do not have to see a musculoskeletal specialist (Clause 4, Article 2).

Health examination for disabled people applying for a Class A1 driver's license or a Class B driver's license as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 57 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety: apply the health standards prescribed in Appendix 1 issued with Circular 36 for health examination, but do not require a specialized Musculoskeletal examination.

Tests for driver's health check

Regarding drug and alcohol testing, Circular 36 stipulates that health examination when issuing and renewing a driver's license only tests for drug levels (5 types of drugs); current regulations are to test for 4 types. Drug testing is mandatory, but alcohol testing is not mandatory. Alcohol testing is only required when prescribed by a doctor, in case of suspicion.

Periodic health check-up for car drivers: mandatory alcohol and drug testing.

Circular 36 stipulates that the health certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of signing the conclusion, an extension of 6 months compared to the provisions in the old circular currently in effect.

In addition, Circular 36 has some changes in some criteria on mental health, ear, nose and throat and removes the requirement for maternity examination because it is less related to driver health.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/7-thay-doi-moi-ve-quy-dinh-kham-suc-khoe-voi-nguoi-lai-xe-tu-nam-2025-185241117150033815.htm