“My friend is a foreigner coming to Vietnam to live and work. He has an IAA international driver’s license and a driver’s license in Australia; so can he use this license in Vietnam? If you want to change your Australian driver’s license to a Vietnamese driver’s license, how do you do it?”. Thanks for your question. Currently, international driving licenses are quite common. However, not everyone knows about it. Do many people still wonder if an international driver’s license can drive in Vietnam? How to use an international driver’s license? Want to convert a foreign driver’s license to a Vietnamese driver’s license? How is the procedure done? To answer this, today, LSX Lawfirm will give you an article about “Is an international driver’s license allowed to drive in Vietnam?“, as follows:
Legal grounds
- Vienna Convention 1968
- Circular 38/2019/TT-BGTVT
- Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT
What is an international driver’s license?
An international driver’s license (international driver’s license) is a type of personal identification card; in which the holder of this license allowed to drive a personal vehicle in any country that recognizes this type of license in the world. To considered valid, an international driving license must accompanied by a valid driving license.
An international driving license will create conditions for people to legally participate in traffic; Avoid trouble while abroad. Moreover, the exchange of an international driver’s license does not require taking exams; It will save people time and avoid risks.
In Vietnam, there are two common types of international driver’s licenses: IDP and IAA. In there:
– IDP license the type of license issued by the Department of Transport of Vietnam – International Driving Permit. The IDP is valid in the countries that are parties to the Vienna International Convention of 1968. However; This license not used in the following countries: USA; Australia; Canada; Thailand; Malaysia.. and has only 3 years shelf life.
– IAA certificate issued by the International Automobile Association – International Automobile Association. The IAA is valid for use in 201 countries and territories. The biggest advantage of the IAA degree compared to the IDP degree is that it can used even in the US; Australia; Canada; Thailand; Malaysia.. and has a term of up to 20 years.
Regulations on using an international driver’s license in Vietnam
Pursuant to Clause 10, Article 33 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT; Regulations on the use and management of driving licenses are as follows:
“Foreigners or Vietnamese residing abroad who wish to drive in Vietnam shall do the following:
a) If you have a national driving license, you must carry out procedures to change it to a corresponding Vietnamese driving license;
b) If an international treaty on driving licenses to which Vietnam is a contracting party contains different provisions, the provisions of the such international treaty shall apply.”
– Since August 20, 2014; Vietnam has officially become a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and the Convention on Road Signs and Signals. So; if the international driver’s license issued in a country that is a member of the Vienna Convention 1968, it can still circulated and used in Vietnam. However; international driving licenses must have translated into common languages such as English; France; Russian; China. If only translations available, no originals included; Driver’s license will not be valid.
- Besides, the IAA international license issued by the International Automobile Association; Can also used when driving a car in Vietnam
Holders of international driving licenses must carry them with them when driving, and present the same national driving license in the territory of the member countries.
Regulations on changing a foreigner’s driver’s license to the corresponding Vietnamese driver’s license
In case foreigners have needs; then you can change the foreign driver’s license to the corresponding driver’s license in Vietnam.
Conditions for changing international driving license to driving license in Vietnam
– Foreigners who have resided, worked, or studied in Vietnam for 3 months or more;
- The foreign driver’s license still has all the necessary elements: Still valid, the vehicle class allowed to drive, there is no sign of erasing or tearing, there is no difference in identification;
– Passports and visas of foreigners are still valid
-Foreigners with specific residential addresses
– Do not change temporary foreign driver’s license or international driving license.
Dossier of application for change
Pursuant to Article 41 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT; (amended by clause 23 Article 1 of Circular 38/2019/TT-BGTVT); the Dossier of application for change includes:
a) An application form for a change of driving license (for Vietnamese people, according to the form specified in Appendix 19 issued with this Circular, for foreigners, according to the form prescribed in Appendix 20 issued together with this Circular). this quarter);
b) The translation of the foreign driver’s license into Vietnamese guaranteed by the translation quality of the notary agency or the Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, and stamped adjacent to the paper copy. driving license; for Vietnamese who present consular legalized driver’s license or foreign driver’s license in accordance with the law on consular certification and legalization, except for cases exempted under regulations of law on consular certification and legalization. provisions of law;
c) Copy of passport (passport number, full name and photo of the grantee, expiry date and page of entry visa to Vietnam), identity card or citizen identification card, identity card diplomatic or official letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or copy of residence card, residence card, temporary residence card, permanent residence card, papers verifying long-term residence in Vietnam for foreigners; In case of suspicion, the driving license-issuing agency shall send a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security, the Immigration Department of the Provincial and Municipal Police. Centrally verified.
Implementation procedure
The driver makes 01 set of documents; sent directly to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam; or the Department of Transport (place of registration of residence, stay, temporary residence, or permanent settlement).
When coming to carry out the procedure for changing a driver’s license, the driver must take a photo directly at the driver’s license agency; and must present the originals of the above-mentioned documents; (except for the originals sent) for comparison.
No more than 05 working days from the date of receipt of complete dossiers as prescribed; The application file will processed and returned to the applicant.
– The driver’s license change file by the driver’s license exchange agency will assigned to the driver for management; this is the original profile; including the documents the applicant submits and the foreign driver’s license.
– Dossiers for changing driving licenses of foreigners who do not permanently reside in Vietnam; kept by the driving license exchange agency for 01 years; including the documents submitted for the application.
Change your international driving license online
In addition to the usual international driver’s license exchange procedure; Now this procedure can also done online quickly.
Step 1: Visit the website of
Firstly, the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam
Secondly, Those wishing to exchange for an international driver’s license can access the public service homepage of the Thirdly, Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to register.
In the section Registering to change driver’s license online; Select: Public service for international driving license (level 4); Handling agency (Directorate for Roads of Vietnam) and click Apply online.
Step 2: Enter information
On the registration screen details information; Enter Driving License Number (GPLX)
Note: The system only accepts a 12-digit PET license.
Then, select License Issuer, and press Search.
If the License Number is valid and available in the system’s database; Detailed information corresponding to the license number will automatically display.
So Fill in the remaining information: Passport number, Date of issue, Place of birth, Email, Phone.
Upload a portrait and signature of the license holder.
Step 3: Upload a photo of your driving license and passport
Attachments include:
Photo of the front of the driver’s license with PET material (clear portrait);
Photo of the passport information page (with photo and place of birth).
Then, tick I make sure the information declared is correct and I take responsibility for the information declared and click Continue.
Step 4: Register for delivery
Firstly, Enter complete and valid recipient information; phone number; identity card number; receiving address for the delivery unit to deliver the international driver’s license to the person requesting to change the license.
Secondly, The delivery time of international driving license results does not include the date of receiving international driving license results; holidays, New Year’s Eve; Saturday, and Sunday.
Step 5: Payment
After the user registers the delivery information, the screen will display a list of cost categories.
Choose a payment method and proceed to pay.
Step 6: Get an international license
If the application is valid; the requester will receive the international license at the registered address for delivery.
Consulting service of LSX Lawfirm
Above is LSX Lawfirm’s advice on the content of the problem “Is an international driver’s license allowed to drive in Vietnam?“. And all the above knowledge to use in work and life. If you have any questions and need more advice and help, please contact the hotline for the reception. Lawyer X is a place that provides reputable and fast business services at reasonable prices. Customers will be extremely satisfied when using our services.
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Related questions
According to Article 7 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, subjects who learn to drive include: “As Vietnamese citizens, foreigners are allowed to reside or are working or studying in Vietnam” Therefore, if foreigners meet all the conditions, they can completely test their driving license in Vietnam.
The validity period of a Vietnamese driver’s license exchanged for a foreigner is consistent with the duration stated in the entry visa or temporary residence card, in accordance with the validity period of the foreign driver’s license but must not exceed the expiry date. regulations of Vietnamese driver’s license then;
According to Point a, Clause 6, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT stipulating: “6. Do not change the driver’s license in the following cases: a) Temporary foreign driver’s license; international driving license; Driver’s license of foreign, military or police has expired according to regulations, erased, torn, no longer have the necessary elements to change driver’s license or there is a difference in identity. ; foreign driver’s license not issued by a competent authority; Therefore, the international driver’s license will not be renewed.
Conclusion: So the above is Is an international driver’s license allowed to drive in Vietnam?. Hopefully with this article can help you in life, please always follow and read our good articles on the website: lsxlawfirm.com
