Vietnam Motorcycle Driving License 2023: Best Thing To Know

Vietnam Motorcycle Driving License 2023: Best Thing To Know

If you are planning to visit Vietnam and want to explore the country on a motorbike, you may wonder what are the rules and requirements for obtaining a Vietnam motorcycle license. In this blog, Vietnam Biker Mates will answer some of the most common questions that foreign tourists have about driving a motorbike in Vietnam, including:

• What type of motorcycle license do foreign tourists need?
• How to use your Vietnam motorcycle license
• How to get Vietnam motorcycle license 
• How to ride motorcycle safely and legally in Vietnam 

Type of Vietnam motorcycle driving license

One of the most common questions that tourists have when they want to visit Vietnam is: “ What type of motorcycle license do I need to ride a motorbike in Vietnam?” The answer is not simple, as it depends on several factors, such as your home country license, your international driving permit, the engine size of the motorbike, and the duration of your stay. In this article, we will explain the different types of motorcycle licenses in Vietnam for tourists, and how to obtain them.

First of all, you need to know your status, which is determined by the documents you have and the type of vehicle you want to drive. There are five possible statuses, as follows:

• Status 1: You have a home country license and an international driving permit (IDP) that are both valid in Vietnam, and allow you to drive motorcycles. You can legally drive a motorcycle in Vietnam without converting your license. However, your IDP must be issued under the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, and your home country license must match the type of vehicle you want to drive. For example, if your license only allows you to drive cars, you cannot drive motorcycles in Vietnam.
• Status 2: You have a home country license that allows you to drive motorcycles, but you do not have an IDP, or your IDP is not valid in Vietnam. Thus, you will need to convert your home country license to a Vietnamese license, or apply for a test to get one. However, this is only possible if you have a visa for stay longer than three months, such as a business visa, a work permit, or a residence card. The conversion process is relatively simple, and does not require a test. The test process is more complicated, and requires you to pass a practical test on a motorcycle.

• Status 3: You have a home country license that allows you to drive cars, but not motorcycles. If this is you, you will need to apply for a test to get a Vietnamese motorcycle license. However, this is also only possible if you have a visa for stay longer than three months. The test process is similar to status 2, but you will need to register for a test and wait for it. The whole process can take up to a month before you have a license in your hand. This is not convenient if you are a tourist with a visa for up to 30 days.
• Status 4: You do not have any home country license that allows you to drive any type of vehicle. If this is you, you will need to pass both a theory and a practical test to get a Vietnamese motorcycle license. However, this is the most difficult option, as the theory test is in Vietnamese and on a computer screen with 20 questions, and you must pass at least 18 of them. To make it more difficult, you cannot have an interpreter. In other words, you need to be fluent in spoken and written Vietnamese.
• Status 5: You have a home country license and an IDP that are both valid in Vietnam, but only allow you to drive cars. If this is you, you can convert your license to a Vietnamese license that allows you to drive cars, but not motorcycles. However, this is not very useful if you want to ride a motorbike in Vietnam.

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The Vietnam motorcycle license has two classes: A1 and A2. A1 is for motorcycles with engine size from 50cc to 175cc, and A2 is for motorcycles with engine size larger than 175cc. The registration tax for a motorcycle license is 5% of the invoice value of the bike, and the plate itself costs from 800,000 VND to 4 million VND, depending on the city.

For tourists who stay in Vietnam for a short period, there are no clear rules or laws prohibiting or allowing them to ride motorcycles on the roads. However, it is common and normal for people to drive without any license in Vietnam, and simple coffee money will deal with the police. However, if you go above 150cc, then having all your documents in the book becomes more important. Alternatively, you can opt for a motorbike ride with a professional local guide.

How to use Vietnam motorcycle driving license

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that allows you to drive a vehicle in another country without having to obtain a local driving license. It is issued by the automobile association or the transport authority of your home country, and it is valid for one year. An IDP is not a standalone document, but rather a supplement to your original driving license. Therefore, you will need to carry both your IDP and your original driving license when you drive in another country.

An IDP is useful or necessary in Vietnam in the following situations:

• You are a tourist or a short-term visitor who wants to drive a motorcycle in Vietnam for less than 90 days. You can use your IDP as a temporary substitute for a Vietnamese motorcycle driving license, as long as your home country is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. However, you should also check with your motorcycle rental company or your travel insurance provider if they accept or require an IDP.
• You are a resident or a worker who wants to drive a motorcycle in Vietnam for more than 90 days. You can use your IDP as a proof of your driving eligibility when you apply for a Vietnamese motorcycle driving license. However, you cannot use your IDP as a permanent substitute for a Vietnamese motorcycle driving license, as it is only valid for one year and it cannot be renewed in Vietnam.
• You are a driver who wants to travel to other countries in the region, such as Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand. You can use your IDP as a valid driving document in these countries, as they are also members of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. However, you should also check with the local authorities or your travel insurance provider if they have any additional requirements or restrictions.

To obtain an IDP, you will need the following documents:

• Your original and a photocopy of your valid motorcycle driving license from your home country
• Your original and a photocopy of your passport
• A completed application form
• Two passport-sized photos
• A fee of about 20 USD

You will need to submit these documents to the automobile association or the transport authority of your home country. The processing time may vary depending on the location, but it usually takes about a week. You will receive your IDP by mail or in person.

 

How to get a Vietnam motorcycle driving license

There are two ways to get a Vietnamese motorcycle driving license: converting your foreign license or taking the test in Vietnam.

1. Converting your foreign license

If you already have a motorcycle driving license from your home country or another country, you can convert it into a Vietnamese one without taking the test. However, this option is only available for certain countries that have a bilateral or multilateral agreement with Vietnam on the recognition of driving licenses. These countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States.

To convert your foreign license, you will need the following documents:

• Your original and a photocopy of your foreign motorcycle driving license
• A certified translation of your foreign motorcycle driving license into Vietnamese
• Your original and a photocopy of your passport and visa
• A completed application form
• Three passport-sized photos
• A medical certificate of good health
• A fee of about 135,000 VND (about 6 USD)

You will need to submit these documents to the Department of Transport of the province or city where you reside or work in Vietnam. The processing time may vary depending on the location, but it usually takes about a week. You will receive a temporary license first, and then a permanent one after a few months.

 

2. Taking the test in Vietnam

If you do not have a foreign motorcycle driving license, or if your country is not among the ones that have an agreement with Vietnam, you will need to take the test in Vietnam to get a Vietnamese motorcycle driving license. The test consists of two parts: a written test and a practical test.

• Written test: The written test is a multiple-choice exam that covers the basic knowledge of traffic laws, regulations, and signs in Vietnam. You will need to answer 20 questions out of 25 correctly to pass. You can take the test in Vietnamese, English, or French. You can also use a translator if you need one. The fee for the written test is about 30,000 VND (about 1.3 USD).
• Practical test: The practical test is a driving exam that evaluates your skills and abilities to operate a motorcycle on a designated course. You will need to perform various maneuvers, such as starting, stopping, turning, changing lanes, and parking. You will also need to follow the instructions and signals of the examiner. The fee for the practical test is about 150,000 VND (about 6.5 USD).

To take the test in Vietnam, you will need the following documents:

• Your original and a photocopy of your passport and visa
• A completed application form
• Three passport-sized photos
• A medical certificate of good health
• A fee of about 180,000 VND (about 7.8 USD)

You will need to register for the test at the Department of Transport of the province or city where you reside or work in Vietnam. The registration and testing dates may vary depending on the location, but they usually take place once or twice a month. You will receive your motorcycle driving license on the same day if you pass both the written and practical tests.

 

How to ride safely and legally in Vietnam

Riding a motorcycle in Vietnam can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be a dangerous and stressful one. The traffic in Vietnam is chaotic, unpredictable, and often overcrowded. The road conditions are poor, uneven, and sometimes unpaved. The weather is hot, humid, and rainy. The drivers are aggressive, impatient, and sometimes reckless. The laws are strict, complex, and sometimes unclear. Therefore, you need to be careful, alert, and respectful when you ride a motorcycle in Vietnam.

Here are some of the traffic rules, regulations, and etiquette for riding a motorcycle in Vietnam:

• Wear a helmet at all times. This is mandatory for both the driver and the passenger, and it can save your life in case of an accident. The helmet should be of good quality, fit properly, and have a chin strap. The fine for not wearing a helmet is 100,000 to 200,000 VND (about 4.3 to 8.6 USD).
• Carry your motorcycle driving license and your registration papers at all times. This is required for both the driver and the owner of the motorcycle, and it can help you avoid any troubles with the police or the locals. The license

• The license should match the type and capacity of the motorcycle you are riding. The registration papers should show that the motorcycle is legally owned, insured, and taxed. The fine for not having these documents is 300,000 to 400,000 VND (about 13 to 17 USD).
• Follow the speed limit and the traffic signs. The speed limit for motorcycles in Vietnam is 40 km/h in urban areas and 60 km/h in rural areas. The traffic signs are similar to those in other countries, but they may not be well-maintained or visible. You should also pay attention to the signals and gestures of other drivers, pedestrians, and police officers. The fine for speeding or violating the traffic signs is 200,000 to 400,000 VNĐ (about 8.6 to 17 USD).

• Keep to the right side of the road and the left side of the lane. The traffic in Vietnam is right-handed, meaning that you should drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left side. However, the lanes are not clearly marked or separated, so you should also keep to the left side of the lane to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The fine for driving on the wrong side of the road or the lane is 200,000 to 400,000 VND (about 8.6 to 17 USD).
• Do not drink and drive. This is illegal and dangerous for both yourself and others. The legal blood alcohol limit for motorcycle drivers in Vietnam is 0.0%, meaning that you cannot drink any alcohol before or while driving. The fine for drunk driving is 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND (about 86 to 130 USD), and you may also face criminal charges or imprisonment.

These are some of the common risks, challenges, and penalties for riding a motorcycle in Vietnam. However, there may be other factors or situations that you need to be aware of, depending on the location, the time, and the circumstance. Therefore, you should always be cautious, vigilant, and respectful when you ride a motorcycle in Vietnam.

 

Conclusion

Driving a motorbike in Vietnam can be a great way to experience the country and its culture. However, you need to be aware of the rules and requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license in Vietnam and make sure that you have the proper documents and insurance to avoid any trouble with the law or accidents. If you have any questions or need any assistance, feel free to contact us at i Tour Vietnam. We are a local tour company that offers authentic motorbike tours with professional guides. We can also help you with renting a motorbike or converting your license in Vietnam. We hope you enjoy your trip and ride safely!

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