Legality of Driving a Motorcyle in Vietnam as a Foreigner
Motor scooters and mopeds are the main form of transport in Vietnam. They can be seen everywhere from the smallest alley in a city to remote mountain villages. As such, many tourists choose to adopt a "when in Rome" policy and hire or buy a scooter and travel the country on it.
What isn't at all clear, is what the legality of this is. The internet is confused on the matter, with google prefering to link to deleted posts on TripAdvisor forums (although the follow up comments would indicate that no, it isn't legal unless you prepare for (and pass) a Vietnamese test. My Lonely Planet guidebook indicates similar. Other sources say it is possible to get a Vietnamese license after presenting a foreign license and appropriate credentials to the proper government body. Some blogs and tour companies claim "of course it's legal, don't be silly" but provide no explanation or evidence for this. About the only thing that seems widely agreed is that the IDP is not accepted in Vietnam (although Wikipedia disputes even this).
As for why this should concern a traveller, when the behaviour (tourists driving scooters) seems broadly tolerated: it is always possible that the government will choose to change policy on enforcement. Moreover, if the activity is illegal, and the traveller is either seriously injured or accrues some legal liability, it is likely that insurance will refuse to pay out.
Bonus points if the answer covers cars as well (although car rental doesn't appear to be widely available)
References or indications of the law(s) relevant would be appreciated, as would any update on the state of IDPs (apparently changing) in Vietnam.
Best Answer
Three unalterable facts:
- Yes, you need a Vietnamese DL to lawfully operate a scooter in Vietnam
- No, a tourist cannot get a Vietnamese DL
- Nobody, nobody, in Vietnam cares about the above two unalterable facts
I rented a scooter in Danang last month. The rental process consisted of me handing over 100,000 ??ng (just under $5 USD) and the clerk giving me the key and a helmet and pointing in the general direction of the bike. No questions, no paperwork, no insurance, and certainly no license.
Danang is by far the most orderly and law-abiding city in Southeast Asia; it's practically Geneva. I am sure the process would be even more casual elsewhere, although I do not how that would even be possible.
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Do you need a license to drive a motorcycle in Vietnam?
Local (Vietnamese) LicenseVietnamese driving licences are mandatory for riders of motorcycles with a capacity of over 50cc. You need an A1 license for under 175cc or A2 for over 175cc. It's more to do with insurance policies when you ride in Vietnam. For more details please follow this link.Are foreigners allowed to drive in Vietnam?
Since 2014, most foreigners are permitted to drive in Vietnam with an International Driving Permit (IDP). You can only get your IDP in your home country, the permit cannot be obtained once in Vietnam or on the road.Can I bring my motorcycle to Vietnam?
To import a motorcycle into vietnam, you're paying a 90% duty plus 10%VAT and any other customs charges. The bike can't be older than 3 years by the time it passes through customs. You have to be Vietnamese or viet kieu or a foreigner married to Vietnamese and living in Vietnam or, you have a company in Vietnam.How do you get a motorcycle license in Vietnam?
To get a Vietnam motorbike driving license, the applicant must hold a valid Vietnamese residence permit or a work permit, a business visa of at least three month's validity and a sponsor company. You need to have notarizing copies of your passport and visa (take 1-2 working days once you are in Vietnam).How To Get Your Vietnamese Motorbike License
More answers regarding legality of Driving a Motorcyle in Vietnam as a Foreigner
Answer 2
Legally to drive a motorcycle in Vietnam you do need to have a Vietnamese driver's license. There are plans underway to introduce the acceptance of IDPs but I have not heard anything to confirm that it is in effect yet (as is the case with many government projects in this part of the world anticipated date and actual finished date are often months or years apart ;-)
Getting a Vietnamese DL requires that you have a business visa, work permit or residency permit. They don't allow tourists to apply. If you have the right entry status and your home driving license has a motorcycle endorsement, then it is just some paperwork to get the license. But without then a driving test is needed
There are unfortunately many rental shops that take the "no worries mate" approach and rent out scooters to foreigners without proper licenses on the grounds that police are unlikely to stop them to check.
Answer 3
Officially Vietnam is not a signatory of the 1949 convention, but doesn't yet recognize International Driving Permit, does so irregularly1 or honors it2, depending on your sources.
The only official references3 or other rules I found still point to the same information provided in other answers here, namely:
- A driving license is required to drive, including motorcycles
- Vietnamese driving licenses are only delivered to foreigners with residence permits/work visa/student visa of more than 3 months
However in a somewhat well known article 2015 is the year where Vietnam was supposed to start recognizing IDP. Scanning the Vietnamese Transportation Department for circulars dated 2015, returned a couple of links that seem related to driving licenses and IDP, but the PDFs are in Vietnamese, here and here .
It should be noted however that an IDP is not enough to drive abroad, it's merely a translation of your driving license class and restrictions, which should normally be presented with your national driving license.
As for any transition period and given the lax approach to the enforcement of these rules I expect one shouldn't rely on the IDP being recognized everywhere just yet.
1 2015 threads
2 expand the list and check the note for Vietnam
3 dated 2014
Answer 4
Fast forward to 2017.
- You can legally drive in Vietnam if you have a Vietnamese Drivers license and Also if you have a License for your home country that allows you to operate the same type of vehicle you will operate in Vietnam AND you have a matching IDP.
- If you get stopped by the police you can generally come to a financial agreement to get off with a wave.
- If you crash and are injured while driving a motorbike, or you are a passenger who knowingly rode on/in a bike/car where the driver was illegally operating the bike/car without a license there is 99.999% likelihood any travel insurance you may have thought you had is voided for coverage.
- If you hold a visa for at least a 3 month stay in Vietnam you may be eligible to take the test and get a local license. (Best to get a 6 month/12 month visa to ensure your license is good and does not 'expire' if you decide to stay on a bit longer)
You want to be covered by accident insurance in Vietnam...to get you out of here if there is medical trouble. Your life is worth more than trying to save a few dollars by driving illegally.
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