Driver's Licenses in Vietnam
International Driving Permit
What driver's licenses are needed for traveling in Vietnam?
International Driving Permits for Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know
Car travels in Vietnam open up a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant life of cities and stunning rural landscapes firsthand. However, for foreign drivers, the first step to understanding local traffic rules is having the correct documents. This guide will talk about international driving permits (IDPs) suitable for use in Vietnam, how to get them, and what to know when interacting with traffic police.
What is an international driving permit?
An international driving permit (IDP) is a document that allows you to drive a vehicle in other countries along with your national driver's license. The IDP is a translation of your license into multiple languages, including English, which helps local authorities verify your driving credentials.
Appearance and validity
The IDP, meeting the requirements of Vietnam, follows the format set by the 1968 Road Traffic Convention. It includes your photo, personal data, and driver's license information. The permit is usually a gray booklet with white pages, clearly stating the countries where it is valid.
Who issues the IDP?
IDPs are issued by various automotive organizations authorized by the government of the country that issued your national driver's license.
NOT RECOGNIZED are such IDPs issued by various non-governmental organizations, for example, the Automobile Association (AA), the American Automobile Association (AAA) in the USA or corresponding auto clubs of other countries.
IDP Conditions for Tourists
- Russian Federation - IDP 1968 Convention
- Belarus - IDP 1968 Convention
- Ukraine - IDP 1968 Convention
- Germany - IDP 1968 Convention
- France - IDP 1968 Convention
- United Kingdom - IDP 1968 Convention
- Norway - IDP 1968 Convention
- USA - IDP 1968 Convention
- Canada - IDP 1968 Convention
- Australia - IDP 1968 Convention
- Kazakhstan - IDP 1968 Convention
Key Feature of the International Driving Permit under the 1968 Convention
Vietnamese police pay attention to the presence of the digits "1968" on the license. All other information must match the local license, but the digits "1968" specifically indicate to local authorities that the license is suitable. Licenses issued by associations or non-governmental organizations do not have this number.
A complete list of countries whose IDPs can be used in accordance with the 1968 convention is available at this link
The 1968 Convention
Vietnam is a signatory to the 1968 Road Traffic Convention, which standardizes road traffic rules among participating countries. This treaty simplifies international road traffic and promotes the mutual recognition of driver's licenses. To be valid in Vietnam, an IDP must comply with the specifications of this convention.
Despite clear regulations on the use of IDPs, practical nuances often arise. The police frequently do not recognize it as valid licenses. If this happens, use this law and show it to the police officer (available at this link)
Besides an IDP, the police always require the presence of a driver's license issued in your country (so always carry both your national license and IDP)
ATTENTION! For long-term stays in Vietnam (more than three months) - an IDP is NOT SUFFICIENT. In such cases, it is necessary to obtain a Vietnamese license. There are two ways to get them: 1) passing exams and getting a license (no resident card required); 2) localization of your licenses (resident card required)
Thus, to drive in Vietnam, the following documents are required:
- Your License (issued in your country)
- IDP from the 1968 convention
- Other documents, which will be discussed below
Using ASEAN Countries' Driver's Licenses in Vietnam
Driver's licenses issued by ASEAN member states simplify the driving process for travelers within the region thanks to mutual recognition agreements.
Under the agreements between ASEAN countries, licenses issued by one member state are recognized by others, allowing ASEAN citizens to freely travel and drive within the region without needing an international driving permit.
To use a national driver's license in Vietnam, an ASEAN citizen must ensure the license is valid and meets all Vietnamese road traffic legislation requirements. The license must contain the holder's photograph and be in Latin script, or be accompanied by a notarized translation.
During road checks, Vietnamese police may request a national driver's license and passport to verify identity and driving entitlement. It's important that documents are in good condition and easily readable.
You can obtain ASEAN driver's licenses recognized in Vietnam from any of the following ASEAN member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia. These countries have agreements on the mutual recognition of driving licenses, simplifying the driving process for ASEAN citizens within the region.
Despite the clarity on this issue, practical nuances also exist. ASEAN licenses are often not accepted by Vietnamese police in practice. If you encounter this issue, we recommend showing the police this document (available at this link). Be aware that even showing this document, there are cases when the police are reluctant to accept such licenses
Remember, driving without legitimate documents in Vietnam can result in a fine of up to 40 million dong