Foreigners who hold a valid car or motorbike licence issued by their home country can exchange it for a Vietnamese driving licence of the corresponding class without taking a test, provided they hold a visa or temporary residence card valid for at least 90 more days (or a permanent residence card). Under Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA (in force since 1 July 2026), you apply at the provincial Traffic Police Division or a commune police reception point, or online via the National Public Service Portal; the electronic licence is issued within 1 day and a printed PET card within 2.5 working days. Info Travel handles the certified translation, prepares the file and guides you through submission and collection. Get a quote on WhatsApp +84327828822.
Who can exchange a foreign car or motorbike licence in Vietnam?
Under Article 24 of Circular 108/2026/TT-BCA issued by the Ministry of Public Security, foreigners who live, work or study in Vietnam can exchange their licence if they meet both conditions:
- They hold a valid national driving licence issued by the competent authority of a foreign country (car, motorcycle or multi-class licence).
- They hold one of these documents: a diplomatic or official ID card, a visa or temporary residence card valid for at least 90 days, or a valid permanent residence card.
Visitors entering visa-free or with less than 90 days left on their visa generally do not qualify. If you plan to stay longer, first extend your visa or obtain a temporary residence card, then exchange your licence.
Licences that cannot be exchanged
- International Driving Permits (IDP/IAA) – an IDP cannot be converted into a Vietnamese licence.
- Temporary, learner or provisional licences.
- Expired licences.
- Licences that are altered, torn or missing information, or whose personal details differ from the passport.
- Licences not issued by a competent authority.
In these cases you must take the Vietnamese driving test to obtain a new licence.
Car and motorbike licences: which class do you get?
Each class on your foreign licence is exchanged for the corresponding Vietnamese class; a multi-class licence is converted into all matching classes. Since 2025 Vietnam uses the new classes of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety:
| Vehicle you want to drive in Vietnam | Vietnamese class | What your foreign licence must show |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike up to 125 cc or electric motor up to 11 kW | A1 | A motorcycle/moped category of the matching type |
| Motorbike above 125 cc or above 11 kW (big bikes) | A | An unrestricted motorcycle category or equivalent |
| Car with up to 8 passenger seats (excluding the driver), truck up to 3.5 tonnes | B | A standard car category (class B in most countries) |
| Larger trucks and buses | C1, C, D1, D2, D | The same category on the foreign licence |
A common mistake: many foreign licences cover cars only. In that case you can only receive class B and no motorbike class A1/A. To ride a motorbike legally you need a foreign licence with a motorcycle category, or you must take the A1/A test in Vietnam (holders of a valid car licence are exempt from the theory part of the A1/A test). Holders of an automatic-only class B licence may not drive manual cars.
Documents required
- A Vietnamese translation of your foreign licence with translation-quality certification by a notary office in Vietnam (or by a Vietnamese diplomatic mission abroad), stamped across a copy of the licence. Info Travel provides this notarised translation.
- A valid passport and a copy (or certified e-copy) of your visa, temporary or permanent residence card, or diplomatic ID. Bring the originals if the copies are not certified.
- A driver’s health certificate (preferably electronic). Foreigners whose Vietnamese licence will follow the term of their visa or temporary residence card are exempt.
- A 3×4 cm photo on a white background – it can be taken at the reception desk.
- Your original foreign licence for checking when you apply in person.
Where to apply and how long it takes
Since 1 March 2025, driving licences in Vietnam are issued by the police instead of the Department of Transport. You can apply:
- In person at the Traffic Police Division of the provincial/city police or at a commune police office with a reception point, showing your originals and paying the fee.
- Online via the National Public Service Portal, paying the fee online (an electronic identification account is required).
Once the file is complete, the electronic licence is issued and added to the identification app within 1 day; a printed PET card, if requested, is returned within 2.5 working days, at the reception office or by post. If there are doubts about your entry, residence or how the foreign licence was issued, the police may ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the immigration authority to verify, which takes longer. The state fee follows the Ministry of Finance fee schedule.
Validity of the exchanged licence: it follows the validity of your visa or residence card and of your foreign licence, but cannot exceed the maximum term of a Vietnamese licence of that class. When you renew your residence card, check the expiry date of your Vietnamese licence too.
Can I drive in Vietnam with an International Driving Permit?
Vietnam is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Holders of an IDP issued by a 1968 Convention country may drive in Vietnam in the classes shown on the IDP, carrying their national licence and passport as well. IDPs issued under the 1949 Convention (by some countries that are not parties to the 1968 Convention) are generally not accepted. An IDP suits short trips; if you live and work in Vietnam long term, exchanging for a Vietnamese licence is the safest option for roadside checks, insurance and accidents.
Info Travel’s car and motorbike licence exchange service for foreigners
Info Travel handles the whole process in English so you don’t have to navigate Vietnamese paperwork:
- A pre-check of your licence and residence documents: can it be exchanged, and into which classes (car B, motorbike A1/A…).
- Certified Vietnamese translation of your foreign licence, stamped as required.
- Preparing the file and helping with online submission, or guiding you to the Traffic Police / commune police office.
- Guidance on receiving the electronic licence in the app or collecting the PET card.
- Fixing residence issues first: visa extensions and temporary residence cards to meet the 90-day rule.
- Support in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and other provinces.
The applicant still needs to attend when the police require it (photo, checking originals). Fees depend on the number of classes, the language of the licence and the place of application – message us on WhatsApp +84327828822 for a quote.
If your foreign licence has no motorcycle category, see: Motorbike licence test for foreigners in Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
I am on a 30-day tourist visa. Can I exchange my licence?
No. Your visa or temporary residence card must be valid for at least 90 more days. Switch to a long-term visa or residence card first.
My licence only covers cars. Can I ride a motorbike?
No. A car licence is exchanged for class B only. To ride a motorbike you need a foreign licence with a motorcycle category or must pass the A1/A test in Vietnam.
My licence is not in English. Is that a problem?
Every licence must be translated into Vietnamese with certified translation quality. Info Travel translates licences in many languages (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, French, German…).
Will I get a plastic card?
The electronic licence in the app is issued by default. If you want a printed PET card, request it when applying; it is ready in about 2.5 working days.
How do foreigners renew a Vietnamese driving licence?
A Vietnamese licence issued to a foreigner is valid in line with the visa or residence card (and the original foreign licence), so it usually expires with your residence papers. Once you hold a new visa or temporary residence card, apply to the competent police office for a replacement licence with your passport, the new visa or card and the old licence. Renew your residence papers first (see visa extension) and apply before the licence expires; check the exact documents with the receiving office.
Can foreigners take the motorbike licence test in Vietnam?
Yes. Foreigners living in Vietnam legally who have no foreign motorbike licence to exchange can train and sit the class A1 or A test like Vietnamese applicants (the old “A2” now corresponds to class A). The test has theory and practical parts; the theory questions are mainly in Vietnamese, so ask the training centre about language support. Holders of a valid car licence are exempt from the theory part for A1 and A.
Where do I exchange my licence? Is it still the Department of Transport?
No. Since 1 March 2025, licensing has moved from the transport sector to the police. Apply at the provincial Traffic Police Division or a commune/ward police office with a reception point, or online via the National Public Service Portal (see how to set up a portal account).
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
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