Vietnam Transportation
Driving License in Vietnam
For permanent residents or those who relocate to Vietnam for working, studying or living, you must own a valid Vietnamese Driver License issued by provincial or national public transportation service- which belongs to the Ministry of Transport.
For temporary visitors, it is preferred that you possess an international driving permit, which can easily be obtained from your home country and converted to Vietnamese one. The police have the right to confiscate your vehicle for 90 days if you are not able to show a valid license.
Who can apply for a Vietnam's driving license: those holding a valid Vietnamese residence permit or a visa valid for at least 3 month and a valid driving license.
How long does it take to obtain a Vietnam license: 5-7 days from the date of document submission
How much does it cost: the fee is $1.5 or VND 30,000, excluding translation.
A sample of what a driving license looks like in Vietnam.
How to obtain a Vietnamese Driving License
Apply for a new Vietnam driving license:
To apply for a Vietnam's driving license - whether car or motorbike, contact the Centre for Automotive Training and Mechanism at 83A Ly Thuong Kiet (Hanoi) or Office of Transportation at 63 Ly Tu Trong (Ho Chi Minh City).
Convert your old valid license to Vietnamese one:
If you need temporary driver's licenses or to convert your license to Vietnamese equivalence, you need to contact Office of Traffic & Public Works at 16 Cao Ba Quat Street (Hanoi) or 63 Ly Tu Trong (Ho Chi Minh City).
Documents Required:
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)
› USD 1.5 for processing fee
Processing Time:
The processing time of a driver license is about 5 working days. Application form and required documents can be submitted at the Department of Transport in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.