15. Without limiting any other provision of these terms, you are only permitted to use the API if: you register at the developer registration page and agree that you may only publish or make available your application after we have approved it pursuant to our application approval process and license agreement available on request at api@ybshare If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Certification & Licensing Division at: cld@courts.az.gov. (602) 452-3378. TTY/TTD: (602) 452-3545. Arizona Supreme Court. Administrative Office of the Courts. 1501 W. Washington St., Suite 104, "Traffic lights, no use at all. Unless the government installs cameras that actually work. And people who flout and ignore the traffic lights get an immediate heavy fine, if not paid within 7 days double the fine. if still not paid, confiscate the offenders vehicle. They will soon learn the rules." onecutedog According to the law, foreign contractors who are organizations carrying out construction jobs in Vietnam without obtaining a construction operating license shall be imposed a fine of up to Americans cannot drive in Japan with only a U.S. drivers license. Persons found driving in Japan without a legal license are subject to fines, arrest and possible deportation. "International Driving Permits" are not a medium-to-long term substitute for a Japanese driver's license. You cannot obtain an International Driving Permit at the Embassy. xO4r8. Recommended Posts Share Can't make a new license as the ministry is closed. Wonder what the penalty is for driving without a license these days? Wasn't there talk of making the penalty tougher? 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share Do you mean driving licence or licence plates? There is currently problem with issuing both. Driving licences don't have to be renewed until further notice. Driving without driving licence having issued one at all is usually 400 Baht. Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share From another thread. This is the latest news I am aware of Quote Jirut also added that the DLT would allow licences that had expired since January 2 to be temporarily valid during the period of the emergency decree and has accordingly notified Royal Thai Police Headquarters and Office of Insurance Commission to enforce related laws accordingly in case of police screening or insurance claims. So you are safe from prosecution or insurance denial in case of expired license. 2 Link to post Share on other sites Share From personal experience a few years ago now i got caught at a checkpoint one time. I had my IDP but had left it on the big bike and was on the scooter when I hit the checkpoint. Had to go inside an pay the ticket for driving without a license - 200 baht. Called my buddy, thinking he'd have to come pick up the scooter. He asked if I had the receipt from paying the ticket and then told me I was good to go and could ride around for a week without my license as long as I had that receipt. As it seems they are considering extending the Emergency Decree until the end of June now, you should be OK until then at least. The DLTs may open before then as well. Link to post Share on other sites Share With all the talk of opening the bars sooner than planned as things are so tickety-boo, I find it hard to understand why the DLT offices are still closed. Immigration, banks, shops, restaurants and now malls are all open, and implementing measures to protect their staff, so why is the DLT shut? Link to post Share on other sites Share Just make sure you have insurance. regards worgeordie 2 Link to post Share on other sites Share 5 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said Do you mean driving licence or licence plates? There is currently problem with issuing both. Driving licences don't have to be renewed until further notice. Driving without driving licence having issued one at all is usually 400 Baht. Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose. We had new car license plates issued last month and exchanged for the red plates. No problem. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 1 hour ago, Kerryd said From personal experience a few years ago now i got caught at a checkpoint one time. I had my IDP but had left it on the big bike and was on the scooter when I hit the checkpoint. Had to go inside an pay the ticket for driving without a license - 200 baht. Called my buddy, thinking he'd have to come pick up the scooter. He asked if I had the receipt from paying the ticket and then told me I was good to go and could ride around for a week without my license as long as I had that receipt. As it seems they are considering extending the Emergency Decree until the end of June now, you should be OK until then at least. The DLTs may open before then as well. "What Is The Penalty For Driving Without A License In Thailand? The penalty for driving a scooter in Thailand without a license is 1 000 Baht USD EUR, GBP." Link to post Share on other sites Share 10 minutes ago, andersonat said Under the old law, the maximum penalty was 1,000 baht. I believe that's what you could face if it went to court. It seems the Traffic Police can issue tickets for lesser amounts. In 2018 they were proposing to increase the maximum fine to 50,000. Not sure if that happened yet. Link to post Share on other sites Share Tell the copper your 12 years old, worked for my son, no problem. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 6 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said Do you mean driving licence or licence plates? There is currently problem with issuing both. Driving licences don't have to be renewed until further notice. Driving without driving licence having issued one at all is usually 400 Baht. Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose. It’s only driving license that are affected. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share Due to the virus, no fine until one week after licence registration reopens again. All the past experiences given are not applicable at this time. Keep your insurance valid is good advice Link to post Share on other sites Share 11 hours ago, FruitPudding said Wonder what the penalty is for driving without a license these days? I used to have a Thai licence, but found it cheaper NOT to have one! Just pay the BiB on the spot rather than waste time going to the police station, which will cost more. I will never forget the expression on the Thai policeman’s face when I told him he could keep the licence. Amazing Thailand. Edited May 21, 2020 by DaRoadrunner Link to post Share on other sites Popular Post Popular Post Share 1 minute ago, DaRoadrunner said I used to have a Thai licence but found it cheaper not to have one! Just pay the BiB on the spot rather than waste time going to the police station. Amazing Thailand. and if your involved in a serious accident and someone dies ? 3 Link to post Share on other sites Share 23 minutes ago, steven100 said and if your involved in a serious accident and someone dies ? Poster has very big savings 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 10 hours ago, KhunBENQ said Yes,but try to stay out of trouble. Link to post Share on other sites Share 1 hour ago, steven100 said and if your involved in a serious accident and someone dies ? Thai or farang you always pay! Even not your fold! Or go to court and watch what happen! Farang pay more! Edited May 21, 2020 by 2 is 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 10 hours ago, KhunBENQ said At least up until a week after the lock-down is eased and the DLT reopens. 1 hour ago, DaRoadrunner said I used to have a Thai licence, but found it cheaper NOT to have one! Just pay the BiB on the spot rather than waste time going to the police station, which will cost more. the 'it won't happen to me' approach has caught plenty of people out in the past. It voids your insurance, you are on the road illegally etc etc... have an accident where someone is seriously hurt or killed and you could find yourself on a very sticky wicket. Link to post Share on other sites Share On Koh Samui it is 500 baht. That was two weeks ago. They are out pulling all tourists over demanding they show licence. I forgot my international licence that day and had to pay 500 tea money. It's lean times for the cops these days and they need to eat too. Edited May 21, 2020 by cheapcanuck Link to post Share on other sites Share 13 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose couldn't have said it better 😉 Link to post Share on other sites Share Link to post Share on other sites Share 15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said At least up until a week after the lock-down is eased and the DLT reopens. the 'it won't happen to me' approach has caught plenty of people out in the past. It voids your insurance, you are on the road illegally etc etc... have an accident where someone is seriously hurt or killed and you could find yourself on a very sticky wicket. It voids your losses. but covers the damage you caused, as in Drink or drugs etc. Link to post Share on other sites Create an account or sign in to comment You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Sign in Already have an account? Sign in here. Sign In Now Vietnam is a popular destination in Southeast Asia as a great “motorbiking trip”. Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass which can be found in the central of Vietnam, between Hue and Hoi An, was popularised by the British show Top Gear. Motorbike is also one of the common modes of transportation for the local either for a short trip, cities to cities or even from north to south of the country, a motorbike is always an option for many. Vietnam’s big cities and even countrysides are filled with small alleys that no car can fit through. Driving a motorbike is easier and more convenient for daily life here. MUST-READ Vietnam motorbiking routes and affordable Vietnam motorbike tours IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DRIVING IN VIETNAM Before I walk you through how to convert a driving license in Vietnam, let’s discuss things that you should know before you start the process. What Side Of Road Does Vietnam Drive On Vietnam drive on the right side. Although there are four countries in Southeast Asia that drives on the left; Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore Can I Use My International Driving License In Vietnam While motorbiking throughout Vietnam is such a big thing for tourists and expats, what most foreigners don’t know is that even having an international driver’s permit, you still need to convert this to a Vietnamese driving license. Besides your IDP, see other things should pack when you move to Vietnam and the current requirements for entering. Driving in Vietnam Without A Valid License It is illegal to drive in Vietnam without a valid driver’s license. You will get fined and have your motorbike or car confiscated if you get caught. You should also check with your travel insurance if you will be covered in case of an accident if you driver without a valid license in Vietnam. Many foreigners fail to get claim or coverage for accidents in Vietnam if you are driving without holding the right driver’s license. Can You Convert a Driver’s License in Vietnam Short answer is yes. Although you will have to apply for it and do a test both paper and actual. How Long is the License Valid Once your driver’s license is convereted, you should see the expiry date at the front. The license is only valid as long as your current visa during the application date. If you are on a tourist visa, then your converted license will expire as the same time as your visa. Same goes for business visa, TRC, etc. Requirements To Convert Your Driver’s License Here are the requirements you need to prepare before you start the process of converting your driver’s license your driver’s license – some people would say it has to be an international driver’s license but that’s not true, as long as it’s still valid, it’s good enoughpassport photos – white background, although this is a confusing requirement some applications say that you don’t need it since your photo will be shot when you submit your paper but some people still had to bring their own passport photos, it’s best to be preparedpayment – bring Vietnamese cash, you don’t need to pay more than VND including the notarization and translation If you are ready to get a valid driver’s license in Vietnam, here’s the step-by-step guide on how to convert your current license Photocopy Your Passport and Driver’s License You have to make a photocopy of all pages of your passport together with front cover and pages that don’t have any visa/stamp in it. You should also photocopy both sides of your driver’s license. Get Your Driver’s License Translated and Notarised You need to have your driver’s license translated and notarized first. Often, whichever government office you will go to submit your application, there is a notarization and translation office there or you can also use any private offices that offer this service. Get two copies just in case or so you don’t need to do it again in the future. You will probably have to leave your driver’s license for a day and come back the next day to pick it up. It shouldn’t cost more than VND per set. Look for signs that says “Văn Phòng Công Chứng” which mean notarize office. Bring These Documents To the Right Office/Department Once you have your driver’s license translated and notarized, it’s time to bring it to the Department of Transport License Conversion Department. Simply say to the receptionist that you are here to convert your driver’s license and show your paper, they will point you which window to go. In this part, you will be explained which vehicle you will be allowed to drive or which type of vehicle they can list on your Vietnamese driver’s license. Once you agree, your photos will be taken together with your documents. You will also be asked to pay the fee here, it should be more or less VND but not more than VND. Take the Written and Driving Test Most likely, you should be able to take your written and driving test the same day you submitted your application. There is a very confusing part here. Depends where you are getting your driver’s license converted, you may or may not have to take any test. In Ho Chi Minh City, some foreigners only had to do a written test, some said they only required to do the driving test while others claim you didn’t had to do either test. Another confusing thing is, some people said that the written test is in Vietnamese, if you don’t speak the language, there’s no way you can pass it while some locals said you should be able to ask to take the written test in English. Apparently, there are locals you can bribe to mark the answers in Vietnamese written test or you can simple hire a visa agent or local law firms to assist you in getting these done. Pick Up Your Converted Driver’s License Assuming you had to take the written and driving test, the same day, you will be told if you passed it and if you did, you can come back the next day to finally get your Vietnamese driver’s license or come back 3 days later if they are a bit backed up. In your license, it should say if A1 for those who want to drive a motorbike or B1 for an automatic car. It should say A1 and B1 if you can drive both. You will pay another VND when you pick up your Vietnamese driver’s license. SAMPLE OF CONVERTED VIETNAMESE DRIVING LICENSE valid for driving automatic car B1 back of the B1 driver’s license valid for driving a motorbike/motorcycle A1 GOVERNMENT OFFICES WHERE YOU SUBMIT YOUR VIETNAMESE DRIVER’S LICENSE CONVERSION Here is a list of offices where you can submit your application to convert your license into Vietnamese. You should also be able to get your current driver’s license translated and notarised Hanoi 16 Cao Bá Quát, Điện Bàn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội – Google map Da Nang 270 Đường Trần Phú, Phước Ninh, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng – Google map Nha Trang 4 Phan Chu Trinh, Xương Huân, Thành phố Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa – Google map Da Lat 36 Đường Trần Phú, Phường 4, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, – Google map Ho Chi Minh City 252 Lý Chính Thắng, Quận 3, Ho Chi Minh City – Google map WHERE ELSE CAN YOU USE YOUR VIETNAMESE DRIVER’S LICENSE Just like a TRC temporary residence permit, you can fly domestically with a driver’s license, given that it’s still valid. Some expats said there’s an exception flying to Phu Quoc and that you cannot use your driver’s license to fly there, but based on my experience, I was able to fly in and out of Phu Quoc using my converted driver’s license. I hope this guide on how to convert a driving license in Vietnam has been useful. If you have questions or tips based on your own experience in doing this process, let us know in the comment section below. Without Driving Licence Fine The Challan You Need to Pay Under New Motor Vehicle Act for Driving Without a Licence There may be an instance where you end up breaking the traffic rules and regulations like not carrying a driving licence while driving a vehicle. In this scenario, a challan is issued against the person as a penalty for violating the traffic law. You can submit the challan for driving without a licence either offline or online. It is crucial to abide by the traffic rules, however, in case you have violated them, you are likely to face consequences or punishment according to the type of violation. Get complete details about the challan you need to pay under New Motor Vehicle Act for driving without a licence. What is Fine for Driving Without a Licence? According to the Motor Vehicle Act, driving a vehicle without a licence is a serious traffic violation and hence illegal in India. Lately, the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 has been amended as a result of which the traffic fines have been increased. Driving without a licence can now attract a fine up to Rs 5000 which was earlier only Rs 500. Along with this, the traffic police can also seize the vehicle. However, the penalty may vary from one state to another. In some states, driving without a licence can also draw a punishment of up to three months imprisonment. Without Driving Licence Fine in Different States The penalty for driving a vehicle without a valid licence was Rs 500 however, with the amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act, the challan for this traffic violation has been increased. The challan rates vary from one state to another and the table below illustrates the fines for some of the states States Traffic Fine Rs Uttrakhand 2500 Haryana 5000 Bihar 5000 Assam 5000 Delhi 5000 Punjab 5000 Karnataka 1000-5000 Uttar Pradesh 5000 Repercussions of Not Having a Licence While Driving According to the Motor Vehicle Act, it is mandatory for every motor vehicle driver to own a valid driving licence in India. In case a person is found driving a vehicle without a licence, he/she is likely to face the below-mentioned repercussions Fine/challan If you are caught driving without a licence in India, the traffic police may release a challan against your name. The challan issued by the local police needs to be submitted within the grace period. The challan can be paid offline at the traffic police station or online from the transport website of the state. Imprisonment Apart from the challan of up to Rs 5000, you can also draw a punishment of three months imprisonment. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, nobody is allowed to drive a vehicle on public roads without a driving licence. Parents or guardians can be punished if their children are found driving a vehicle on roads without a DL. Insurance Claims As per the Motor Vehicle Act, a person driving a vehicle without a licence cannot claim the insurance. If you caused an accident and were not carrying a DL, you are not eligible for third party claims. Any such insurance claims will be rejected by the insurance company and you are liable to pay the amount for the damage caused to the third party. Seizure of vehicle Your vehicle can also be seized by the traffic police if you are found driving without a valid licence or with an expired licence. You can only get hold of the vehicle by paying the fines to the concerned authorities. Any damage to the vehicle, while it is seized, is not covered by the insurance companies. Tips to Avoid Driving Without Licence Fine by Traffic Police A person while driving a vehicle should act responsibly and should follow all the traffic rules and regulations set up according to the Motor Vehicle Act. Traffic violations can be avoided and here are some tips to avoid the fines Always carry the driving licence and other vehicle-related documents Store e-copies of all your vehicle documents in DigiLocker or mParivahan app Do not carry an expired driving licence Renew the driving licence within the grace period More on the topic Vietnam motorcycle and car rental Traffic fines in Vietnam Vietnam visa Vietnam visa in questions and answers Vietnam Customs regulations Security in Vietnam Content Are there Russian rights in Vietnam, and what are needed How to get international rights What is the penalty for driving without a license Do I need a license to rent a scooter or moped Are there Russian rights in Vietnam, and what are needed Until 2014, to legally drive a car or motorcycles in Vietnam, it was mandatory to obtain local rights, no foreign rights were recognized. But fortunately, in 2014 Vietnam joined the Vienna Convention on road traffic see more about the Vienna Convention and what rights you can drive abroad, and now here you can legally drive vehicles on international driving licenses IDUs. You just need to understand what is the right IDP, which is suitable for Transport Management in Vietnam. In total, there are two types of driver's licenses National rights. These are the usual Russian pavs that every driver in Russia receives. They fully comply with the requirements of the Vienna Convention and operate in many countries, but not yet in Vietnam. This is a national vu, they are ordinary Russian rights International License or international driving license IDP, also IDP-International Driving Permit. This is another kind of driver's license, or rather an addition to national rights. It is made in the form of a book in several languages, and is issued at the request of the driver. IDI is valid only when presented jointly with national rights. Such rights apply in Vietnam. This is what an international driver's license or IDP looks like In fact, there are several varieties of official IDUs, but in Vietnam only those that comply with the requirements of the Vienna Convention are recognized. And these are issued in the Russian Federation. It is important to understand that this is not a notarized translation or document issued by the Association of motorists, even if it is an international organization. To manage transport in Vietnam, it is necessary to have an international driver's license issued by state authorities, in the Russian Federation this is the traffic police. And do not forget that you need to always present national rights together with the IDI. Of course, it is impossible not to take into account local realities. Many Vietnamese police officers still refuse to accept IDP because they do not know the new laws or pretend not to know. You should be prepared for such a development of the situation and prove your case. To do this, it does not hurt to carry a printout of the following law in Vietnamese How to get international rights Obtaining an IDP in Russia is very simple. You can arrange them at will without re-passing exams and a medical certificate, you only need to pay the fee. To do this, you need to contact the traffic police or MFC, fill out an application, pay the fee, and that's it. The fee is 1600 rubles for 2018. You can also issue an IDP through the portal public which is much more convenient and cheaper. Data entry for the application is made on the site, and there is also payment online, and with a discount of 30%, you will have to pay only 1120 rubles instead of 1600 for 2018. Then, to get a ready-made IDP, you will have to go to the traffic police at the appointed time choose a convenient time yourself. What is the penalty for driving without a license Officially, the penalty for driving without a license is 800 000 - 1 200 000 VND, which is roughly equivalent to 35-52 US Dollars see Vietnam's currency and exchange rate. Plus, they can confiscate the vehicle on the spot and send it to the parking lot for up to 7 days, for which you still have to pay the landlord, because his transport will be idle. Of course, you can try to solve the issue on the spot with a bribe, and as many travelers say in the reviews, as a rule, it succeeds, but even in this matter you will have to bargain. But still it is better not to risk and issue an IDP. Do I need a license to rent a scooter or moped Driving a low-powered scooter or moped in Vietnam requires a license. Moreover, in your IDP there should be a corresponding category-A or A1. Category "M" is not provided for by the Vienna Convention, so it will not work. When making IDUs, categories from your national rights are simply transferred, so if you do not have the right category, you must first "open" it, and then draw up international rights. ★★★★★0 ❤👍 👎Заходите по ссылке, тут найдете ответы на ваши вопросы - ↪ Елизавета Спасибо, полезная ссылка 😊! 🕒 11 March, 2023 Disclaimer All listed costs, requirements, locations, and procedures are subject to change at any time pursuant with Vietnamese laws with little or no advance notice. You are encouraged to verify with the Department of Transportation in the city where you are located for the most up to date information. Table of Contents 1. Foreign Driver Licenses Are Not Valid in Vietnam 2. International Driver Permits A Grey Area 3. Requirements for a Vietnam Driver’s License 4. Getting Your Vietnam Driver’s License at the Department of Transportation 5. Department of Transportation Locations in Cities of Interest 6. Duration of Your Vietnam Driver’s License Limited to Your Visa or Work Permit 7. Renewing Your Vietnam Driver’s License 8. Using Agents to Process Your Paperwork 9. Recent Developments in Vietnamese Traffic Laws 10. Additional Tips for traveling by Car or Motorcycle in Vietnam If you’re staying for longer than 3 months, it is advisable to arrange your own transportation rather than using taxis or Grab for the duration of your stay, as many short-term tourists do. The time and cost investment involved in the process of acquiring a driver’s license in Vietnam tilts in favor of getting one the longer you plan to live in Vietnam. If you do want to drive a vehicle in Vietnam, be it a motorbike or a car, you are obligated by law to get a driver’s license in Vietnam. Not only is it illegal to drive without a valid driver’s license issued in Vietnam, but it also is safer for you and everyone else. One important thing to remember is that, without a valid driver’s license, your health insurance may not cover you in case of an accident. Think twice before you drive without the appropriate paperwork! It should also be noted that driving a motorbike in Vietnam naturally carries more physical risks to yourself than driving a car. However, driving a car has risks of its own. For example, if you get in an accident where the other party was driving a motorbike, they could be seriously injured or worse. Even if you were not at fault, you may still get the blame for the accident no matter how much you might plead your case with the local police. Source If you plan to operate a motorbike larger than 50cc or drive a car, you are required to obtain a valid driver’s license. This guide explains how to do so. 1. Foreign Driver Licenses Are Not Valid in Vietnam Can’t we just use our driver’s license from our own home country and call it a day? The answer is generally no. We are aware of two exceptions which both are temporary and limited in nature. These two exceptions are ASEAN Driving Licenses and International Driving Permits governed by 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. A driver’s license from any of the other ASEAN member nations has a limited validity in Vietnam. Of course, even if ASEAN driver’s licenses may be recognized in certain circumstances as valid in Vietnam, it is still best to obtain a local Vietnamese driver’s license as soon as you can. Fortunately, the solution to this is quite easy. You can “convert” your home country’s license to a local Vietnamese driver’s license. How long this takes depends on whether your driver’s license already allows you to operate a car or a motorcycle in your home country. If your home country’s license already allows you to drive a car or a motorcycle, you can convert it to a Vietnamese driver’s license without needing to take a driving test. However, if that isn’t the case, you will need to pass a practical driving test. 2. International Driver Permits A Grey Area Vietnam is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. This means that if your IDP is governed by that 1968 convention, it has a limited validity in Vietnam. However, throughout recent years, we have heard of cases of traffic police telling foreigners that their IDPs governed by the 1968 convention are not valid. The argument for using an IDP is that it can be a decent short-term solution until you get your papers in order for a local driver’s license. A valid 1968 IDP coupled with local insurance may be helpful in getting coverage in case of an accident. IDP is never valid in your country of residence. Therefore an IDP is at most a temporary solution and you need to get a local DL as early as possible. However, an IDP is convertible to a local Vietnamese driver license and therefore a practical tool to make the process of acquiring a local Driving license easier. Related reading More information on IDPs from a foreign-run motorbike rental company. 3. Requirements for a Vietnam Driving License The requirements you need to apply for a Vietnam driver’s license are as follows Required documents* One copy of your passport with the photo page and the visa page both visa and passport must be valid. One copy of your home country’s driver license, with a translated and notarized version you would need to take it to a public notary first. Three passport size photos approximately 4 cm x 3 cm. Completed application formapplication form verify that this form is up to date before filling it out. 135,000 VND about $6 USD for processing fee. Source Vietnam Visa Immigration *Check with the local Department of Transportation since the rules are different in each major city or province. Cost The total cost will be up to but rarely more than 500,000 VND about $22 USD, which includes notarization, translation, photos, and licence fees. New law as of 2020 Minimum visa duration required in order to get a Vietnamese driver’s license is 3 months. In other words, if you only have a 1-month tourist visa, you will not be able to obtain a driver’s license in which case, it probably would not be worth the time investment anyway. 4. Getting Your Vietnam Driving License at the Department of Transportation When you have all the required documents, visit the nearest Department of Transportation in your location. Once you hand in your documents, they will request to take a head photo of you for the driver’s license. After getting your photo taken, they will make copies of all your documents and return the originals to you. This will be about a 15-20 minute wait if it’s not a busy day at the office. You will also pay a 30,000 VND processing fee. They may ask you to come back at a later date about 5 to 10 business days to pick up your new license, or give you the option to have it shipped to your address. They will give you a receipt that you will need to present to the office when you pick it up, or to the courier if you chose to have it shipped. If they inform you that you need to take a practical driving test, the motorbike driving test is only 15 minutes and quite easy. In most cases, you would not need to take a written theory test if you already have a driver’s license from your home country. Source If you do not know how to speak Vietnamese, taking a local friend with you to translate will definitely make the process smoother. It should also be noted that a car driving test may be more complex and take more time, especially if you are used to driving automatics, as many cars in Vietnam are manual. 5. Department of Transportation Locations in Major Cities The following are addresses and locations in the four major cities of Vietnam where expats can apply for their driver’s licenses. Hue – 10 Phan Boi Chau, Vinh Ninh, Hue Da Nang – 24 Duong Tran Phu, Thach Thang, Hai Chau Ho Chi Minh City Saigon – 63 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Hanoi – 2 Duong Phung Hung, Van Quan, Ha Dong, Ha Noi 6. Duration of Your Vietnam Driving License Limited to Your Visa or Work Permit The process of getting a driver’s license in Vietnam is straightforward and usually takes about two weeks provided you have all the required documents. However, one important thing to be aware of is that the expiration date on your driver’s license will be limited to the duration of your visa, residency permit, work permit, or the expiration date on your home country’s license, whichever is the shortest. For example, suppose the driver’s license from your home country doesn’t expire in five years, and your work permit is valid for two years from today’s date. However, your visa limits your stay to only one year. In this case, your Vietnam driver’s license will have an expiry date that matches the date your visa expires—in other words, it will only be valid for one year. If you have a visa that is valid for 3 months, your driver’s license will only be valid up to the end of that 3-month visa. This means that if you renew your visa, you will also have to renew your driver’s license. There is a possible exception—though it is not clear whether it is still being put into practice In some government offices or with some agents, you may be able to get a lifetime driver’s license as a foreigner, but you would have to pass the theory test in Vietnamese. Rules likely differ from province to province. 7. Renewing Your Vietnam Driving License Fortunately, renewing your driver’s license is very easy. Each time you will only need to submit your old Vietnamese driver’s licence and your new visa, and pay for the new licence. In some cases, they may request to see your driver’s license from your home country, in which case it’s straightforward to show them the original and a certified copy provided it has not already expired. 8. Using Agents to Process Your Paperwork You have the option to use an agent if you can’t read or speak Vietnamese. For a little extra money roughly $40-70 USD, you can have an agent process the paperwork on your behalf. They will handle the certification and notarization on your copies of your driver’s license, and fill out the application on your behalf. You would still need to arrive at the Department of Transportation office to get a photo taken, return roughly a week later to pick up your new license, and pay the 30,000 VND license processing fee about $ USD. If you don’t want to use an agent or pay extra for their services, you can still take a trusted local with you to translate. 9. Recent Developments in Vietnamese Traffic Laws In the past several months, Vietnam has been passing many new laws effective this year and traffic rules are no exception. 1. Zero tolerance for drunk driving Vietnam is taking drunk driving very seriously. In light of a recent spate of road accidents throughout 2019, 40% of which alcohol was a factor according to WHO, Vietnam recently passed the Law on Preventing Alcohol Harmful Effects effective Jan 1, 2020. Under the tough law, if caught driving with influence of alcohol, motorbike drivers and car drivers not only face fines of $258-345 USD and and $1,292-1,723 USD respectively, but may also have their driver’s licenses suspended for up to two years. 2. Using earphones while driving is prohibited Another new traffic rule is the prohibition of earphones use while driving. If caught using earphones while driving, you may face the following fines 1 to 2 million VND about $45-90 USD. Your driver’s license may be suspended from 1 to 3 months, or up to 4 months if there was a traffic accident involved. 10. Additional Tips for traveling by Car or Motorcycle in Vietnam Wear a helmet if you ride a motorbike Follow the traffic laws in Vietnam to the best of your ability. Drive with a valid license, obey traffic lights, use turn signals, and use the proper lanes. Most importantly, wear a helmet while riding a motorbike! DOT certified full-face helmets provide the best protection. Be aware that most helmets sold in Vietnam don’t provide much, if any, protection in the event of a crash. If you don’t have a DOT helmet, wear a similar one as locals do as it’s better than nothing. Besides, it is virtually guaranteed that the police will pull you over if you drive without a helmet. Instead of driving a car, you have the option of hiring a full-time driver If you aren’t confident in navigating the chaotic traffic on Vietnamese roads or communicating with the police if anything goes wrong, you have the option of hiring a local to drive for you on a full-time basis. Vietnam has plenty of people offering a car and a full-time driver as a packaged service, and many expats take advantage of this. This is a great way to shield yourselves from the financial, legal, and physical risks of driving yourselves in Vietnam. In addition, GRAB taxis are available and work very well in most cities. Relax and enjoy! Finally, when you’re on the road—relax, obey the laws, and enjoy! The traffic and roundabouts may get some getting used to, but soon enough you will enjoy what Vietnam has to offer outside of the tourist districts!

penalty for driving in vietnam without license