Legally Recognized Driver's License(s) for Vietnam

Hi Aidan,

Thanks for this post. So I went to AAA and got a IDP but everything is in English. Will a policeman in VN know it's a permit?

@qnbui

Good move, qnbui.

Yes, all IDPs are/must be in English, and yes, the police here will be able to read it.

Does your IDP show an expiry date one year from date of issue?

@Aidan in HCMC

Hi,

I will be getting an IDP when I return to Australia for a visit in a couple of months. 

Can you advise, if it is a endorsed only for cars (and boats ) in Australia does that mean I am not able to ride a scooter here in Vietnam?

Would make life easier if they would allow but I am probably hoping for too much

If they don't allow, the dilemma then becomes stay in Australia to do the bike license process over many weeks or learn Vietnamese faster and get it here?

Thanks again.

...and on a similar theme....if buying a bike (once licensed) are the comprehensive insurance companies in Vietnam trustworthy?   Worthwhile considering?

Thanks

    @Aidan in HCMC
Hi,
I will be getting an IDP when I return to Australia for a visit in a couple of months. 
Can you advise, if it is a endorsed only for cars (and boats ) in Australia does that mean I am not able to ride a scooter here in Vietnam?
Would make life easier if they would allow but I am probably hoping for too much

With your Australia license not showing it valid for motorcycles, the Australia issued IDP will of course reflect that.

If they don't allow, the dilemma then becomes stay in Australia to do the bike license process over many weeks or learn Vietnamese faster and get it here?

Thanks again.
        -@KKK36

Has Australia adopted a graduated motorcycle licensing program? I recall a Canadian buddy complaining that it would take him over a year to be fully  motorcycle licensed. If you can do it over many weeks, I suggest that might still be quicker than learning Vietnamese

    ...and on a similar theme....if buying a bike (once licensed) are the comprehensive insurance companies in Vietnam trustworthy?   Worthwhile considering?Thanks        -@KKK36

Sorry, I don't know a thing about any "comprehensive" insurance plans available here (and even if there is one, I'm not sure I'd place any faith in it).

The mandatory ~$6/year plan is (allegedly) a "liability" plan, though I've heard from friends that it is essentially a gov't tax grab. People here, in the not at all uncommon event of a collision, tend to pick themselves up and ride away, covering repairs out of pocket. That said, there might some value to it in the tragic event of a serious injury or, heaven forbid, a fatality.

@KKK36 hello, all countries member of convention 1969 (Vietnam included), have licenses type A,B,C,D, etc. The IDP is a kind of internationalization of your own current license.  You must have the letter A included in your plastic if you want to ride a motorbike between 50cc and 175cc

Regarding to obtain a vietnamese license type A, you must know this type is lifetime and the requisite is to have a Residence Card and do the exam in vietnamese (no way to receive any support by English)

@Aidan in HCMC

Hi, Thnks, Yes, Australia has a graduated license.  Though first level is up to 650cc.

I think I will start the process in Australia.  It will need a second visit to get the license though as have to have learner's permit for 3 months before you can get the full license. I like VN too much to stay away for that long!

Thanks re insurance.  I'm hearing from other sources as well that the companies are essentially scamming for premiums but not so good on claims.

Pity, I would have liked the new bike insured against theft at least as I hear theft is quite common?

Back to practicing Vietnamese. )

    @qnbui
Good move, qnbui.
Yes, all IDPs are/must be in English, and yes, the police here will be able to read it.

Does your IDP show an expiry date one year from date of issue?
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

Yes, it was back dated a few days but one year validity.

Thanks!

Regarding to obtain a vietnamese license type A, you must know this type is lifetime and the requisite is to have a Residence Card and do the exam in vietnamese (no way to receive any support by English) - @ajairon

Are you sure this is correct, I was told by several experienced people on vn expat Facebooks that it was possible to take the riding test and get a vn license while on a tourist visa, you only need a residency permit if you're trying to convert your home licence, but you can still try and take the test. Is this not true?

@Haarp

  You can CONVERT your existing license to a VN license IF you already have a motorbike endorsement in your home country without any kind of test. It expires when your visa expires. It also takes about 2 weeks to get your license back after you apply. You can CONVERT your home car license to a VN motorbike license by taking a riding test in addition. No vietnamese required. It also only last as long as your visa but that whole process can take like a month or so from my experience. If your on a tourist visa this is absurd to do every month or however long your visa is. If you want a non expiring license you must take the written test IN VIETNAMESE and the driving test. Its extremely difficult in my opinion unless you know vietnamese. Its not worth it to convert your license if your only here for a few months. It may be worth it if you have a 3 year TRC or something to do that conversion every 3 years or so. If your here for a short time I would just rent a 50cc scooter. It does perfectly fine on the streets of vietnam.

...You can CONVERT your home car license to a VN motorbike license by taking a riding test in addition. No vietnamese required. - @jrharvey

I believe this might apply to the A1 license (175cc and under), not the A2 license (175 to unlimited cc).

In fact, an A1 license can be had without the foreigner ever having been licensed anywhere.

The test for an A1 is a simple "figure 8, no foot down" and then a very short "road test". From what I hear, the A1 test is a breeze.

@Aidan in HCMC

Thats probably true. Everyone I know with a big bike had to go through the VN written test so that makes sense.

For those requesting information on IDP,

IDPs are not recognized:

Vietnam recognizes IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. However, Australia is not a signatory to this convention, therefore an Australian IDP is not valid in Vietnam.

Temporary Vietnamese license is required:

To drive legally, Australians need to obtain a temporary Vietnamese driving license by exchanging their Australian license.

Exchange process:

This process usually involves visiting a licensing center in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with your Australian license, a passport photo, and an official notarized translation of your license.

Insurance implications:

If you are involved in an accident and don't have the correct license, your insurance may be invalidated.

For those requesting information on IDP,
IDPs are not recognized:
Vietnam recognizes IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. However, Australia is not a signatory to this convention, therefore an Australian IDP is not valid in Vietnam.
Temporary Vietnamese license is required:
To drive legally, Australians need to obtain a temporary Vietnamese driving license by exchanging their Australian license.
Exchange process:
This process usually involves visiting a licensing center in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with your Australian license, a passport photo, and an official notarized translation of your license.
Insurance implications:
If you are involved in an accident and don't have the correct license, your insurance may be invalidated. - @Safepeter

Thank you for that, Safepeter.

Those conventions had been discussed in a different thread, and though I don't recall the specifics, there was some indication that IDPs issued by official foreign gov't agents would be acceptable to the police here.

Because of the change to our forum activity history, I'm no longer able to conveniently locate that thread (frustrating).

Insurance, however, might certainly be an issue. As always, what the large print giveth, the small print taketh away.

@Safepeter

Cheers Peter, I Started the chat , according to AAA Queensland an IDP is NOT REQUIRED in Viet Nam.... bull..... I phoned RACWA today and was told Viet Nam does not have an agreement with us. Damn! Down but not out.

@Aidan in HCMC

here it is, https://www.expat.com/en/forum/asia/vie … ml#6063308

  @Aidan in HCMC
Hi,
I will be getting an IDP when I return to Australia for a visit in a couple of months.
Can you advise, if it is a endorsed only for cars (and boats ) in Australia does that mean I am not able to ride a scooter here in Vietnam?
Would make life easier if they would allow but I am probably hoping for too much
With your Australia license not showing it valid for motorcycles, the Australia issued IDP will of course reflect that.
If they don't allow, the dilemma then becomes stay in Australia to do the bike license process over many weeks or learn Vietnamese faster and get it here?

Thanks again.
    -@KKK36
Has Australia adopted a graduated motorcycle licensing program? I recall a Canadian buddy complaining that it would take him over a year to be fully motorcycle licensed. If you can do it over many weeks, I suggest that might still be quicker than learning Vietnamese - @Aidan in HCMC

Yes, up to 250cc and that's R-E

@Aidan in HCMC

Well, @safepeter give the ultimate answer: you can come to Vietnam with your own national license +  IDP issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road (also from your own country). USA and Australia are not part of this specific convention, hence the only legal alternative, same for any who doesn't have an IDP, you can also ask for a sort of temporary validation here in Vietnam (only in DaNặng, Hanoi and Saigon) for less than $50

@Aidan in HCMC

yeah sure,,,,try telling that to  a traffic cop.

@Aidan in HCMC
Hi, Thnks, Yes, Australia has a graduated license. Though first level is up to 650cc.
I think I will start the process in Australia. It will need a second visit to get the license though as have to have learner's permit for 3 months before you can get the full license. I like VN too much to stay away for that long!

Thanks re insurance. I'm hearing from other sources as well that the companies are essentially scamming for premiums but not so good on claims.
Pity, I would have liked the new bike insured against theft at least as I hear theft is quite common?

Back to practicing Vietnamese. ) - @KKK36

Sorry to correct you Aidan ,1st level is up to 250 cc and then it's restricted by horse power of the bike.

To all those dismayed by NO IDP for Australians, contact your federal government members and ask why not.

@Aidan in HCMC
Hi, Thnks, Yes, Australia has a graduated license. Though first level is up to 650cc.
I think I will start the process in Australia. It will need a second visit to get the license though as have to have learner's permit for 3 months before you can get the full license. I like VN too much to stay away for that long!

Thanks re insurance. I'm hearing from other sources as well that the companies are essentially scamming for premiums but not so good on claims.
Pity, I would have liked the new bike insured against theft at least as I hear theft is quite common?

Back to practicing Vietnamese. ) - -@KKK36

Sorry to correct you Aidan ,1st level is up to 250 cc and then it's restricted by horse power of the bike. - @MarkinNam

You're not correcting me. You're replying to member KKK36 's post.

@Aidan in HCMC
here it is, https://www.expat.com/en/forum/asia/vie … ml#6063308 - @MarkinNam

No, not that post. The thread I referenced is from ~1.5 years ago.

If I find I have time I'll see if I can find it later (but I'm not too hopeful).

@Aidan in HCMC
here it is, https://www.expat.com/en/forum/asia/vie … ml#6063308 - @MarkinNam

No, not that post. The thread I referenced is from ~1.5 years ago.
If I find I have time I'll see if I can find it later (but I'm not too hopeful). - @Aidan in HCMC

Found by OceanBeach92107 ! Good job, sir!

I've asked admin to move the posts from a thread of a different topic to this thread.

@Aidan in HCMC

Hello,

Sorry but I created a new thread. Since our search function is not working well at the moment, it is better to have shorter threads than a long one.

Regards

Bhavna

@MarkinNam

At least it is in Western Australia.

@Aidan in HCMC

If I read correctly I can ride anything UNDER 50 cc ? No licence ?

@Aidan in HCMC
If I read correctly I can ride anything UNDER 50 cc ? No licence ? - @MarkinNam

Yes, and no...

There were recent changes to the law that aren't being enforced...yet...even though they technically went into effect on January 1st, 2025.

Currently, foreigners are still riding 50cc motorbikes and all sorts of e-bikes up to 40kph max speed rating without being stopped by police, but the new law says that ANY motorized cycle is going to require a driver's license and any e-bike rated above 25kph is also going to require licensure for legal operation.

(Aidan, please correct me if I'm misinterpreting the new rules 🙏)

Also, technically, a legal e-bike under 25 kph must be a moped, meaning, it must also be outfitted with pedals for mobility.

I'm just repeating what I remember reading in the fine print regarding the reclassification of motorcycles and e-bikes.

I'd love to provide a link but the search engine...

I was at the local traffic police station headquarters in Vung Tau yesterday.

The person in charge of issuing new licences for this area stated that 50cc or under 4kw if electric did not need a licence.

I hasten to add the same person told me my Australian issued international licence was good also, and I know it is not. Vietnam is not a signatory to the system Australia uses.

The licence people also wanted proof of the initial date my licence was issued (decades ago) which of course is why the 125cc bike sits in the garage

Vietnam Oi!

There are also stories that only e-bikes will be allowed on the roads after 2028...but for now I am personally chasing a 50cc petrol bike.  Looks like about 30-35M dong new on road. 

...I hasten to add the same person told me my Australian issued international licence was good also, and I know it is not.

An "international license" (from any country) is not acceptable, while an IDP is (international driving permit).

Vietnam is not a signatory to the system Australia uses... - @KKK36

Signatory to the 1949 convention or not, as a sovereign nation Vietnam is at liberty to accept/reject, at will, any IDP they so choose (1926, 1949, 1968). Have you had a chance to read this post?

it's worth noting that under the previous law effective before the 1st of January 2025, it was specifically stated that a license would be issued for driving anything over 50 cc's.

Here is a Google Translation of the new restrictions:

(Chinhphu.vn) - Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety No. 36/2024/QH15 dated June 27, 2024 stipulates the categories of Driving Licenses (effective from January 1, 2025).

Driving licenses include the following categories:

+ Class A1 is granted to drivers of two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cm3 or an electric motor capacity of up to 11 kW;

+ Class A is granted to drivers of two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of over 125 cm3 or an electric motor capacity of over 11 kW and types of vehicles specified for class A1 driving license;

+ Class B1 is granted to drivers of three-wheeled motorbikes and other types of vehicles specified for class A1 driving license;

https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/tu-1-1-2025-co-nhung-hang-giay-phep-lai-xe-nao-119240812165630751.htm

it's worth noting that under the previous law effective before the 1st of January 2025, it was specifically stated that a license would be issued for driving anything over 50 cc's.
Here is a Google Translation of the new restrictions:

(Chinhphu.vn) - Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety No. 36/2024/QH15 dated June 27, 2024 stipulates the categories of Driving Licenses (effective from January 1, 2025).

Driving licenses include the following categories:

+ Class A1 is granted to drivers of two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cm3 or an electric motor capacity of up to 11 kW;

+ Class A is granted to drivers of two-wheeled motorbikes with a cylinder capacity of over 125 cm3 or an electric motor capacity of over 11 kW and types of vehicles specified for class A1 driving license;

+ Class B1 is granted to drivers of three-wheeled motorbikes and other types of vehicles specified for class A1 driving license;

https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/tu-1-1-2025-co-nhung-hang-giay-phep-lai-xe-nao-119240812165630751.htm - @OceanBeach92107

it's difficult to piece together everything I read before, but there was a further section that talked about exceptions for certain e-bikes, and it was quite restrictive as I recall.

it was basically saying that the most minimally powered e-bikes, normally used by students to go to and from school, would be exempted from the licensure requirement

@Aidan in HCMC

Yes, read it at the time.  The real takeaway IMO is that there are more than one convention/treaty and for Aussies at least, it is clearly stated that we can't use our international licence in Vietnam.  THe licence has a list of included countries in the front cover, Vietnam is not there

Also, Australian embassy states not to use it.

@Aidan in HCMCYes, read it at the time. The real takeaway IMO is that there are more than one convention/treaty and for Aussies at least, it is clearly stated that we can't use our international licence in Vietnam. THe licence has a list of included countries in the front cover, Vietnam is not there

Are you sure your speaking about Australia's IDP, and not some other form of international license? I ask because all of the IDPs I've seen (multiple countries) are in a multi-page booklet format, with the index of countries listed on a page inside the booklet preceding the photo i.d. of the holder. Never seen an IDP with countries listed on the front cover.

Also, Australian embassy states not to use it. - @KKK36

Understood. That said, it is entirely up to the VN authorities whether or not an IDP is acceptable here, not the Australian Automobile Assoc. (the IDP issuer), nor the Australian gov't.

In any event my recommendation to visitors, from Australia or elsewhere, remains the same, i.e. get your IDP from your home country prior to arrival (it's cheap), and present yourself to the local CSGT precinct for confirmation that it will be accepted. 

@KKK36

More like Troi oi.