Driving in Vietnam
Vietnamese driving licenses are mandatory for all drivers of motor vehicles as well as for riders of motorcycles with a capacity of over 50cc. Non-Vietnamese citizens are only permitted to drive in Vietnam if they hold a temporary Vietnamese driver's license.
The importance of obtaining a license
You are not recommended to drive without a valid license - this needs to be either a Vietnam's driving license or a temporary license converted from your international driving permit. The penalties for not possessing a license when you drive can be severe: from 3 years up to 10 years if causing accident, and even 20 years if accidents causing death.
How to convert your current driving license or International Driving Permit
To convert your current driving license or an International Driving Permit into a Vietnamese driving license, the applicant must first hold a valid Vietnam permit of at least three month's validity and a current driving license or a valid International Driving Permit.
In Hanoi, applications for temporary driver's licenses should be directed to the Office of Traffic and Public Works, 16 Cao Ba Quat Street (Website: http://www.sogtvt.hanoi.gov.vn.
In Ho Chi Minh City, applications should be directed to the Office of Transportation, 63 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 (Tel 84-8 38 290 451; website: http://www.sogtvt.hanoi.gov.vn).
In provincial areas, travellers should consult local police authorities to determine exactly what action is required to obtain a temporary driving license in the province where the applicant resides.
Vietnamese driving license for foreigners sample
Apply for a new Vietnam driving license
To apply for a Vietnamese driving license (either to drive a motor vehicle or a motorbike) in Hanoi , the applicant should contact the Centre for Automotive Training and Mechanism, 83A Ly Thuong Kiet Street – Telephone 3942 2715. In Ho Chi Minh City , applications should be lodged with the Office of Transportation, 63 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1 – Telephone 3822 3760.
Documents required for driving license conversion
In order to apply or convert your existing driver license to a Vietnamese equivalence, you need to submit the following documents:
› One copy of your passport with the photo page and the visa page (both visa and passport need to be valid).
› One copy of your existing driving license, with a translated and notarized version (by a public notary place)
› Three passport size photos (see
photo requirements)
› Filled in application form (download the
form for driving license application)
› 135,000 VND for processing fee
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