Can Tho City, located in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, is grappling with a significant backlog of driver's license applications, with around 3,000 applications pending due to a shortage of printing materials. The city's Department of Transport has been forced to prioritize the renewal and re-issuance of licenses only for cases deemed necessary, such as those approaching their renewal date or licenses that have been lost or are overdue.
According to Nguyen Dang Khoa, the department's deputy director, the reserve of printing materials, including ink and adhesive film, has been nearly exhausted since the beginning of the year. This has led to a situation where only about 300 priority applications are being processed daily, resulting in the accumulation of approximately 3,000 backlogged applications since the beginning of May. Under normal circumstances, the issuance of a new license typically takes just 15 days.
The shortage of printing materials can be attributed to changes in procurement regulations under the new Bidding Law, which came into effect in early 2024. Previously, the Ministry of Transport supplied the materials needed for printing driver's licenses. However, under the new regulations, the procurement of goods for specialized tasks valued over $3,900 is now subject to local bidding processes.
Khoa stated that the department has completed the necessary procedures and is currently awaiting the city's delegation of approval authority for budget estimates and bidding plans. He expects the issuance and renewal of driver's licenses to return to normal by early August.
In the meantime, the department has advised citizens to delay the renewal of licenses in cases where it is not urgently necessary. This includes instances where licenses are still valid but require address updates, or old and faded licenses that are still valid. By postponing these renewals, the department aims to alleviate congestion and focus on processing the most pressing cases.
Can Tho City is home to 12 motor vehicle training and examination centers, with an average of over 2,000 candidates passing the examination each month, all of whom require new driver's licenses. The current backlog has the potential to cause significant inconvenience for these individuals, as well as those seeking to renew or replace their licenses.
The situation in Can Tho highlights the challenges that can arise when changes in procurement regulations intersect with the daily operations of government agencies. As the city works to address the shortage of printing materials and streamline the bidding process, it is crucial that the Department of Transport communicates effectively with the public to manage expectations and minimize the impact on citizens.
As Vietnam continues to develop and modernize, it is essential that government agencies adapt to new regulations and find ways to maintain efficient service delivery. The driver's license backlog in Can Tho serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive planning and effective resource management in ensuring the smooth functioning of public services.
