Vehicle ad hoc network is the key technology for a future Internet of vehicles and intelligent transport system. However, involvement of vast number of vehicles in Internet of vehicles limits the performance of vehicle ad hoc network. To tackle this problem, a novel vehicle ad hoc network architecture with two different technologies such as software-defined networking and named-data networking is proposed in this article. In the proposed software-defined networking controlled vehicular named-data networking, IP addressing issue is resolved by named-data networking and global view of the network is attained by software-defined networking. Emergency data dissemination is initiated with packet classification. For packet classification, policy-based bifold classifier is proposed in roadside unit and supported by evolved interest packet. Subsequently, best disseminator selection is carried out by trustworthy weighted graph scheme based on novel weight value, which is computed by considering significant metrics. Content retrieval is accomplished by roadside unit and assisted by a controller. Location of content producer is obtained from a controller and optimal route is selected by roadside unit. Optimal route selection is performed by roadside unit for both content retrieval and vehicle-to-vehicle communication using novel region-based hybrid cuckoo search algorithm. Hybrid algorithm combines cuckoo search and particle swarm optimization algorithm to perform efficient route selection. Involvement of software-defined networking controller supports numerous users by providing a global view of the network, which includes network status and traffic information. Extensive simulation in NS-3 assures better interest satisfaction rate, interest satisfaction delay, forwarder interest packets, average hop count, and gain of scalability in software-defined networking controlled vehicular named-data networking than traditional vehicle ad hoc network.