Can foreigners drive in Vietnam with a licence from home? Sometimes—but the answer depends on who issued your licence, which vehicle you want to drive, the documents you carry and whether Vietnam recognises that particular driving entitlement. Other foreign residents may be able to exchange an eligible national licence or qualify for a Vietnamese driving test.
Quick answer
There are three routes to check: (1) use a recognised existing licence and supporting documents; (2) apply to exchange an eligible foreign national licence for a Vietnamese licence; or (3) train and take the relevant Vietnamese driving examination. An international driving permit (IDP) is not automatically accepted merely because it has the word “international” on it.
Regulatory information checked on 6 November 2026. This is general information, not an individual legal determination or a driving-licence application service. Rules, administrative channels and country-specific guidance can change.
1. Which driving-licence route applies to you?
Before renting a scooter or booking a driving school, separate your situation from the general question “Can foreigners drive in Vietnam?” Your nationality is not necessarily the same as the country that issued the licence. Recognition depends on the issued document, its category and relevant agreements—not on citizenship alone.
| Your situation | Route to investigate | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Valid national licence plus an official 1968 Convention IDP | Recognition under Vietnamese road-safety law | Carry both; verify issuing state, permit form and matching vehicle class. |
| Eligible full national licence from an ASEAN country | Recognition under the ASEAN agreement for temporary stays | Provisional/learner licences are excluded; translation rules may apply. |
| Foreign national licence and qualifying stay/work/study documents | Possible exchange for a Vietnamese licence | Approval and converted class are decided by the competent authority. |
| No recognised licence for the vehicle you intend to drive | Training and Vietnamese examination, if eligible | Do not ride or drive while merely enrolled or awaiting an appointment. |
| Tourist with a rented vehicle but unclear documents | Verify before renting or choose a licensed transport alternative | A rental agreement never establishes permission to drive. |
Route A: Recognition
Do your existing, valid documents qualify under the applicable treaty or agreement for your vehicle class?
Route B: Exchange
Is your full foreign national licence eligible for conversion, and do your immigration documents meet the procedure?
Route C: Testing
Can you qualify for approved training, the required examination and a new Vietnamese licence?
The framework comes from Vietnam's Road Traffic Order and Safety Law, No. 36/2024/QH15, together with relevant international agreements and the Ministry of Public Security's Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA. The circular generally took effect on 1 July 2026, but some examination provisions have later transitional dates. Older checklists should therefore be checked rather than automatically copied.
2. Can you drive in Vietnam using a foreign licence or IDP?
A 1968 Convention IDP is not the same as an ordinary translation
Article 57 of Vietnam's road-safety law recognises, subject to its conditions, a valid international driving permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention together with the corresponding national driving licence. The two documents are intended to be used together. The domestic licence must still be valid and cover the type of vehicle being driven. A permit cannot add a motorcycle entitlement that your national licence does not provide.
Check the official issuing authority, the permit's convention format and date, its categories and the underlying national licence. An online seller's “worldwide licence”, a digital certificate or a 1949-format booklet should not be assumed to qualify under the 1968 mechanism. If you are relying on another treaty rather than the Vienna Convention, identify that treaty and its conditions separately.
ASEAN domestic licence recognition is a different route
The 1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences concerns recognised national licences for qualifying temporary stays in another participating country. Its text expressly excludes temporary, provisional and learner licences. Drivers must remain within the vehicle categories their documents authorise; licences that are invalid or expired do not qualify.
Under Article 3 of that agreement, a licence not drawn up in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Do not confuse that requirement with the certified Vietnamese translation used in the separate Vietnamese licence-exchange procedure. These are different legal routes with different documents.
Not every IDP—or every ASEAN driving card—works automatically
A country's membership of an international agreement is a starting point, not individual confirmation. Your licence may be temporary, expired, issued by a different state or restricted to vehicles unlike the one you plan to drive. If the document does not clearly fit, verify with the relevant Vietnamese traffic-police authority before driving.
3. Examples: UK, US, Australia and ASEAN-issued licences
Government guidance illustrates why a blanket “all foreign licences are accepted” or “all foreign licences are rejected” answer is misleading. The following examples refer to where the driving documents were issued, not a universal rule for every citizen of the country.
| Document origin | Published guidance | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | GOV.UK advises carrying a 1968 IDP and UK driving licence when driving a car or motorbike in Vietnam. | Confirm the original licence and IDP authorise the exact vehicle category; carry both documents. |
| United States | US Department of State advice says US-issued licences and US-issued IDPs do not work for driving in Vietnam. | Investigate an eligible Vietnamese licence route; do not rely on an IDP issued in the US. |
| Australia | Smartraveller advises that an Australian licence and Australia-issued IDP are not accepted for driving or riding in Vietnam. | Check the applicable Vietnamese licensing and exchange requirements before using a vehicle. |
| Recognised ASEAN licence | The ASEAN agreement may permit a full, valid national licence for the appropriate class during a qualifying temporary stay. | Confirm the particular issuing authority, full-licence status, class, stay and English-translation requirement. |
Read the original country guidance: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; US Department of State; and Australian Smartraveller.
For licences issued in India or another country not covered by a confirmed case-specific source here, this guide does not give a simple yes/no verdict. Check the state that issued your original licence, the official IDP issuer and format, the applicable agreement and your vehicle category with the competent authority. A passport from one country does not turn a licence issued by another country into that passport country's licence.
For a long-term move, recognition while visiting and eligibility to exchange a licence are separate questions. A visitor may have documents recognised under a treaty without being eligible for conversion; a resident may need a Vietnamese licence even after checking a foreign IDP. The particular facts matter.
4. Which licence class do you need for a motorbike or car?
Vietnam's current licence categories use different thresholds from some older guides. The relevant class is determined by the vehicle's legal type and specifications, not simply the rental-shop description “scooter”, “automatic bike” or “small motorbike”. Older Vietnamese licences issued under previous category rules may have transitional treatment; do not assume a pre-2025 category has automatically been cancelled.
| Category | General scope | Practical point for foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Two-wheeled motorcycles up to 125cc, or electric motorcycles up to 11kW, under the newer classification. | Do not apply the old 175cc threshold as if it were the current general A1 rule. |
| A | Two-wheeled motorcycles above 125cc or above 11kW, with the applicable statutory scope. | Confirm the motorcycle entitlement and its correspondence with any foreign licence. |
| B | Common passenger-car and eligible light-vehicle category under the newer system. | A licence authorising a car does not automatically authorise a motorbike. |
| Moped (xe gắn máy) | A distinct legal vehicle type, including qualifying very small-capacity vehicles. | A driver-licence exemption may apply to a genuine moped, but minimum age and other vehicle/road rules remain. |
Article 59 permits people aged 16 or older to operate a qualifying moped, while applicants generally must be 18 or older for A1, A and B classes, subject to other eligibility rules. The law distinguishes mopeds from motorcycles and also considers electric-vehicle specifications. If the rental company advertises “49cc” or “electric”, request the actual registration and technical details instead of trusting the marketing label.
Even where no motorbike driving licence is required for a genuine moped, the rider is not exempt from applicable age, road-safety, vehicle-registration and compulsory-insurance obligations. The Vietnamese government explanation of moped document requirements is useful for checking this distinction.
5. How to exchange a foreign driving licence in Vietnam
Licence exchange means asking the Vietnamese authorities to assess an eligible foreign national driving licence and issue an appropriate Vietnamese licence. It is not the conversion of an IDP booklet into a Vietnamese licence, and it is not automatic approval based on holding a passport or tourist booking.
Who may be considered?
Under the foreign-licence exchange procedure published by Khanh Hoa Provincial Police on 3 September 2026, foreigners residing, working or studying in Vietnam with a valid foreign national licence may be considered if they have one of the qualifying documents. The procedure lists diplomatic or official identity documents; a visa or temporary residence card with at least 90 days remaining; or a valid permanent residence card.
The licence category and validity issued on exchange depend on the underlying licence and the qualifying immigration document. A visa or residence card does not independently make an invalid foreign licence exchangeable. Likewise, meeting a listed document condition does not promise approval of the particular class requested.
Documents to prepare
- Valid foreign national driving licence: the original document and any required copy for verification.
- Certified Vietnamese translation: a translation of the foreign licence certified in the form required by the exchange procedure and attached to a copy of that licence.
- Qualifying immigration/identity document: for example, an eligible visa or temporary residence card with at least 90 days of remaining validity, a permanent residence card or another listed official document.
- Health certificate where applicable: issued by an eligible medical facility. A narrow exception is listed for foreigners exchanging a licence in line with the visa or temporary-residence-card period; do not assume it covers every application.
- Photo and originals for comparison: the receiving authority may capture a portrait and check original documents against copies.
Step-by-step exchange process
- Check eligibility and the correct licence class. Verify that the document is a current national driving licence issued by a competent authority—not a learner card, provisional licence, expired permit or IDP.
- Confirm your qualifying stay documentation. Check the exact remaining validity and category of your visa, residence card or other listed document.
- Arrange the required translation and medical paperwork, if applicable. Use appropriately authorised Vietnamese providers and verify the authority's current document specifications.
- Submit one application dossier through an accepted channel. The published procedure refers to the provincial Traffic Police Department, designated commune-level police receiving points or the National Public Service Portal, where the applicable service is available.
- Attend identity or original-document checks if requested. An online submission is not a promise that all verification can happen remotely.
- Pay the statutory fee and follow the authority's decision. The competent office may seek additional verification of immigration status or the foreign licence; a rejected application should receive a written reason under the published procedure.
Licences normally not exchangeable under this procedure include foreign temporary licences, international driving permits, expired foreign licences, altered or materially damaged licences, and licences not issued by a competent authority. Do not pay a third-party agent on the strength of a guarantee that such a document can be converted.
Where to ask first
For an actual application, contact the provincial Traffic Police Department (Phòng Cảnh sát giao thông) or check the National Public Service Portal. Confirm that the receiving point handles your exact foreign-licence procedure and what originals you must bring. StartInVietnam does not receive personal licences, passports or visa scans for this process.
6. Can a foreigner take a Vietnamese driving test instead?
Yes, the published administrative procedure includes foreigners who are permitted to reside in Vietnam or who work or study here, provided they satisfy the relevant age, health, education/training and immigration-document requirements. This is a separate path from exchanging an existing foreign licence. You do not need to invent or purchase a foreign driving licence first in order to explore a genuine new-licence application.
Typical steps for a new applicant
- Choose the appropriate licence category. Match the motorcycle or car you intend to drive to the current legal vehicle classification.
- Check a legally operating driving-training provider. Confirm that the school offers the correct approved training pathway and can explain the applicable course and examination procedure.
- Meet document, age and medical requirements. A valid driver health certificate and the appropriate training completion record appear in the published examination dossier, alongside relevant identification or immigration documents.
- Arrange and take the examinations that apply to your class. The candidate or training provider follows the authorised registration procedure; not every class or transition period has identical components.
- Receive a licence after passing and paying the required fee. Passing the examination is different from merely booking or attending it.
The 3 September 2026 police procedure for licence issuance sets out the administrative dossier and post-exam processing route. It also references the relevant training confirmation and health certificate. Applicants should ask the current authority or authorised training provider which examination components apply on the intended test date, as some provisions under Circular 108/2026 have transitional implementation schedules.
Can you take the exam in English?
This guide cannot confirm that every Vietnamese driving-test centre offers an official English-language test, translator, exemption or special arrangement. Availability should not be inferred from a private school advertisement or an expat social-media post. Before paying tuition, ask the training centre and the relevant Traffic Police Department in writing what language is used for the theory examination, what assistance is permitted, how the practical examination works and whether a particular accommodation is officially authorised.
In the meantime, do not drive a motorcycle or car that requires a licence simply because you have registered for lessons or tests. If you cannot complete the licensing route before you need transport, consider a licensed driver, taxi or other lawful option.
7. Official driving licence fees and processing times
There is a major difference between government fees, the price of training, the cost of certified translation and the time required to prepare an acceptable application. Do not treat one public fee as a complete “foreign driving licence package”.
| Government item | Published amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Issue, exchange or reissue a driving licence | VND 115,000 | Statutory licence issuance/exchange/reissue fee per application. |
| A1/A/B1 motorcycle-group theory examination | VND 60,000 | Each applicable theory test attempt. |
| A1/A/B1 motorcycle-group practical examination | VND 70,000 | Each applicable practical test attempt. |
Source: signed Ministry of Finance Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC, fee appendix (page 5). One September 2026 provincial online procedure still shows VND 60,000 for the motorcycle practical examination; the signed Ministry of Finance schedule shows VND 70,000. Confirm the amount required by the receiving authority on your payment date. Car-examination components and other potential charges must be checked separately.
Foreign-licence exchange
The provincial procedure describes electronic licence-data processing within one working day after a complete valid dossier is received, and printing/return of a requested physical licence within up to 2.5 working days from that point.
Not the time to obtain a translation, visa, medical document or verification from a foreign authority.
New licence after passing a test
The September 2026 issuance procedure describes an electronic licence within two hours after the successful examination and payment, and a requested physical licence within 3.5 working days.
Not the time required to enrol, train, schedule exams or pass them.
Training tuition, retests, medical examinations, translation, notarisation, travel and other lawful ancillary costs are separate. No verified nationwide training-school price is supplied here. Ask a training provider for an itemised written quote and distinguish mandatory authority charges from its own service charges.
8. Tourists versus residents: what changes?
Visitors usually need to focus first on whether their existing documents are recognised for their intended vehicle and temporary stay. A short trip is not a reason to assume all foreign licences work, and a 90-day e-visa is not a universal authorisation to exchange an expired or restricted driving licence.
Residents, workers and students may have more reason to investigate licence exchange or new testing, but the actual exchange procedure still asks for the specified documents and remaining validity. Some official processes allow online submission but may still require photos, comparison of originals and verification of the foreign licence. A temporary residence card is not itself a motorcycle endorsement.
Returning or dual-national travellers should focus on the actual issuer, current validity and class of their driving document. The law has distinct provisions for Vietnamese nationals who obtained a national driving licence during a qualifying stay abroad; this guide's foreigner exchange checklist is not intended to replace that separate route.
If your documents do not clearly match a recognised route, the safe decision is to arrange other transport until the competent authority clarifies your position. A rental counter's willingness to hand over keys cannot resolve the licence question.
9. Before renting a motorbike or driving a car
Driving permission and road safety are different checks. Having a recognised permit does not eliminate the risk of collisions, traffic enforcement or disputes about rental-vehicle condition. Foreign drivers should treat Vietnam's busy urban streets and unfamiliar road conventions seriously.
Documents and vehicle checks
- Carry the national licence, qualifying IDP or recognised domestic licence, as applicable.
- Confirm your licence covers the actual vehicle category and is still valid.
- Check vehicle registration and the applicable compulsory insurance.
- Inspect brakes, lights, tyres, mirrors and helmet fit before departure.
- Understand the rental agreement, accident procedure and deposit terms.
Driving and insurance precautions
- Wear a suitable helmet on a motorcycle and observe local safety requirements.
- Never drive after consuming alcohol.
- Do not assume travel insurance covers every motorcycle size or an unlicensed ride.
- Check the policy wording and any licence/class conditions before riding.
- Use a lawful alternative if road conditions or your experience make driving unsafe.
Country travel-advice pages such as those issued by the UK, United States and Australia raise serious concerns about motorbike crashes and insurance exposure. This guide does not state a universal insurance payout rule, provide a fine schedule or promise that any specific policy will cover an incident. Read the contract you actually hold and seek suitable professional assistance after an accident.
10. Common driving-licence mistakes to avoid
| Common assumption | More accurate approach |
|---|---|
| “Any international driving licence is valid in Vietnam.” | Verify the issuing authority, applicable convention or agreement, original national licence and vehicle entitlement. |
| “My car licence automatically covers a 150cc scooter.” | Check the correct motorcycle category; a passenger-car entitlement is not an automatic bike endorsement. |
| “Every ASEAN card is accepted, even a learner permit.” | The ASEAN agreement excludes learner, provisional and temporary licences. |
| “A visa is all I need to exchange a foreign licence.” | The exchange process also checks the foreign national licence, supporting papers and documentary validity. |
| “A Vietnamese licence takes 2.5 days from scratch.” | The quoted exchange time begins after receipt of a complete, valid dossier; testing and training are different processes. |
| “Every testing centre offers an English exam.” | Ask the authorised training provider and Traffic Police Department; no universal promise is verified here. |
| “A 50cc rental has no legal requirements whatsoever.” | First establish that the vehicle legally qualifies as a moped and check the applicable age, safety and vehicle rules. |
11. Frequently asked questions
Can tourists drive in Vietnam with an international driving permit?
Some visitors may rely on a properly issued 1968 Vienna Convention IDP together with the corresponding valid national licence, or another applicable recognition agreement. The issuing country, vehicle class, permit type and legal conditions must fit. An IDP is not an automatic permission slip for all visitors.
Is a UK driving licence enough by itself?
UK government guidance says to carry both the 1968-format IDP and UK driving licence in Vietnam. The vehicle must also be within your authorised driving categories.
Can I drive on a US driving licence or US-issued IDP?
The US Department of State says those US-issued documents do not work for driving in Vietnam. Consider whether you are eligible for an appropriate Vietnamese licence route instead.
Can an Australian-issued IDP be used for a motorcycle in Vietnam?
Australian Smartraveller advises against relying on Australian licences or Australia-issued IDPs for driving or riding in Vietnam. Confirm the relevant Vietnamese licensing requirements rather than relying on a rental provider's verbal assurance.
Do Thai or other ASEAN-issued licences work in Vietnam?
The ASEAN recognition agreement may apply to qualifying full, valid national licences during a temporary stay for the correct class. Learner, provisional and temporary licences are excluded, and a certified English translation is needed when the licence is not drawn up in English.
Can I exchange my foreign licence on a tourist visa?
Do not assume so. The September 2026 exchange procedure addresses foreigners residing, working or studying in Vietnam and lists specific identity and immigration papers, including a visa or temporary residence card with at least 90 days remaining where applicable. The police authority must evaluate your actual case.
Can I exchange an expired national licence or only an IDP?
The published foreign-licence exchange procedure excludes expired foreign licences and international driving permits. It is intended for an eligible valid foreign national licence issued by a competent authority.
What is the minimum age for a motorbike driving licence?
Under Article 59, applicants for class A1 or A generally must be at least 18, subject to other conditions. A distinct rule permits people aged at least 16 to operate a qualifying moped; verify the actual vehicle classification.
How much does exchanging a licence cost?
The published government issue/exchange/reissue fee is VND 115,000 per application under Finance Circular 154/2025. Translation, medical checks, training or other ancillary costs, if needed, are not included.
Can a foreigner take a Vietnamese driving examination in English?
A universal English-language examination option was not confirmed in the reviewed official material. Contact the authorised training provider and relevant Traffic Police Department before registering or paying.
12. Official sources and how to verify your case
For rules that affect your ability to drive, prioritise original laws, the current administrative procedure and issuing-country guidance. Use the following documents as a starting point, and check for amendments when you apply:
- Vietnam Road Traffic Order and Safety Law 36/2024/QH15 — recognition, vehicle classes, driver conditions and age.
- Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA, Ministry of Public Security — driving examinations, issuance, foreign-licence exchange and IDP procedures.
- Khanh Hoa Provincial Police: foreign-licence exchange procedure — published 3 September 2026.
- Khanh Hoa Provincial Police: driving-licence issuance procedure — training and examination documentation.
- Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC, signed fee schedule — official government examination and issuance fees.
- ASEAN Agreement on Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences — full national-licence recognition and temporary-stay conditions.
- GOV.UK, US Department of State and Australian Smartraveller — specific guidance for documents issued by those countries.
A practical final check before you drive
Write down the licence issuing country, original licence class, vehicle specifications, IDP issuer and format (if any), document expiry dates and your intended period in Vietnam. Compare those facts with the applicable official route. When anything is unclear, ask the competent Vietnamese authority before taking the vehicle onto the road.
StartInVietnam provides independent educational information only. It does not operate a licence-exchange agency, arrange driving tests, guarantee approval, collect driving-licence or immigration-document uploads, or offer paid introductions through this guide.
