Vietnam motorbike driving license for Foreigners
Riding a motorbike (Moped, Scooter), in Vietnam offers an incredible experience, but it is essential to understand the license requirements before riding in the road.
in 2025, Vietnamese law requires a local driving license for ANY motorbikes over 50cc. Riders need an A1 license for bikes under 175cc and an A2 license for anything above 175cc. Check out Best Vietnam Motorbike Tours
Do Foreign Licenses Work in Vietnam?
Unfortunately, national driving licenses from other countries are not valid in Vietnam.
The good news is that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recognized, but only if it follows the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
If you hold a 1968 IDP, you’re legally allowed to ride in Vietnam—so you’re all set!
How to get a local Vietnam motorbike driving license?
1. Holding your home-country (national driving license) but only having a tourist visa? Unfortunately, converting it to a Vietnamese driving license isn’t an option.
2. If you hold a national driving license from your country and plan to live, work, or study in Vietnam for at least three months, or if you entered the country with a valid international or national driver’s license issued abroad, you can legally drive. However, to operate a vehicle registered overseas in Vietnam, you must apply for a corresponding Vietnamese driving license.
3. If you hold a national driving license along with a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) from a country that follows the 1968 Convention, you’re all set. Simply carry both documents, and you’re legally allowed to ride motorbikes in Vietnam.
4. If you don’t have a driving license, you must pass both a theory and a practical riding test and once you get your license, you will be able to legally ride a motorcycle. The theory exam consists of 20 questions on a computer, requiring at least 18 correct answers to pass. The challenge is that the test is entirely in Vietnamese, and interpreters are not allowed. This means being familiar in both written and spoken Vietnamese is essential.
Some service provider companies are able to assist with obtaining or converting a Vietnamese driving license. The process typically requires a copy of your passport, a valid visa or resident card, and your original driver’s license. However, these services come at a high cost, starting at around $150 USD for an A1 license (under 175cc) and up to $350 USD for an A2 license (over 175cc).
International Driving License
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of International Driving Permits (IDP) and which ones are valid in Vietnam.
1949 vs. 1968 Convention IDP
Some countries now issue an IDP that covers both the 1949 and 1968 Conventions, making it valid for riding in multiple countries, including Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia. If you’re unsure which type you have, check with your licensing agency to confirm if your permit meets Vietnam’s requirements.
1968 Convention International Driving License (IDL)
Good news! Since August 1, 2016, Vietnam has recognized International Driving Permits (IDP) under the 46/2016/ND-CP decree. However, this applies only to countries that follow the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic. If you hold a 1968 IDP, you can legally ride in Vietnam and even purchase an insurance policy for coverage. Just make sure to carry your home country’s driver’s license with a motorbike endorsement.
1949 Convention International Driving Permit (IDP)
Countries such as Australia, the UK, the USA, and Canada follow the 1949 Geneva Convention instead of the 1968 Convention. As a result, IDPs issued from these countries are not valid for riding in Vietnam. Below is an example of a 1949 Convention IDP, which is not accepted in Vietnam.
