Two departments issued a circular to promote the reform of qualification management of road freight transport drivers

Recently, the General Office of the Ministry of Transport and the General Office of the Ministry of Public Security issued the Circular on Promoting the Reform of Qualification Management of Road Freight Transport Drivers (hereinafter referred to as the Circular). It proposes to improve the content of motor vehicle driver training and examinations, simplify the application process for industry qualification certificates, optimize convenient public services for qualification management, strengthen daily integrity assessments, and effectively standardize transport business operations.

In order to reduce the operational burden on industry personnel, the Circular requires to implement reforms in the management of road freight transport driver qualifications. The safe driving theory part of the road freight transport driver qualification examination be included in the safe and civilized driving common sense test for large trucks (B2) and heavy-duty tractor trailers (A2) drivers of Subject III. The procedures for applying for the road freight transport driver qualification certificate will be simplified. Individuals applying for the road freight transport driver qualification certificate can directly apply to the transport authorities with the corresponding motor vehicle driver’s license they have obtained to effectively facilitate the employment and career choices of road freight transport drivers.

The circular clearly states that any driving training institutions found to have reduced training programs and class hours will be severely investigated and punished in accordance with the law. Public security traffic management departments of all localities should ensure the quality of the exams and conduct exams for large truck (B2) and heavy-duty tractor trailer (A2) drivers in accordance with the updated motor vehicle driver exam question bank. They should not reduce the exam items, shorten the test mileage, or lower the evaluation standards. Transport authorities of all localities should actively utilize convenience-oriented administrative systems and other information technology methods to handle the application, issuance, modification, and cancellation of road freight transportation driver qualifications and actively promote the use of electronic road transport certificates.