ISSUING INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENSES FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

Many people when coming to Vietnam will have the need to issue a international driver's license, but not everyone understands the law, especially, the law in Vietnam agrees to issue a international driving license but do not accept it in the inner territory. Therefore, in order to avoid legal problems, and, to supplement knowledge about Vietnamese law and culture, Doanh Tri  Firm would like to guide you to the procedure for granting an international driver's license in Vietnam.

1.   Legal basis:

- Decision No.286/QĐ-BGTVT;

- Circular No.01/2021/TT-BGTVT;

-  Circular No.12/2017/TT-BGTVT;

- Circular No. 29/2015/TT-BGTVT.

2. Conditions and requirements for IDP application:

Foreigners who want to be granted an IDP must have a permanent residence card in Vietnam and a national driving license issued by Vietnam with PET material (still valid).

In case the national driving License is erased, damaged, there is no longer enough valid information or there is a difference in identity; A national driving license that is not issued by a competent authority in accordance with the regulations will not be issued with an International Driving Permit.

3. Procedures for granting an international driver's license in Vietnam

Step 1: Prepare documents

Individuals need to prepare 01 application for IDP, including:

(i) 01 Application for an international driving license, made according to the form (Issued together with Circular No. 29/2015/TT-BGTVT dated July 6th, 2015);

(ii) Notarized copy of passport;

(iii) National driver's license;

(iv) 02 photos taken 3x4 cm taken on a white background.

Step 2: Submit your application

You can apply in person or through the online public service system.

In case of direct submission:

When applying directly at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport, individuals must present the original of the national driving license issued by Vietnam, passport, permanent residence card to check the accuracy and legitimacy of the IDP and must fulfill the fee payment obligation upon receipt of the application as prescribed.

In case of online submission:

When submitting an application through the online public service system, an individual shall make a declaration according to the instructions and must be responsible for the accuracy and legitimacy of the declared content, and, ability to pay fees of the online public service system and pay fees for using other services according to individual needs. In case the application is not in accordance with regulations, the application-receiving agency is responsible for notifying the individual directly or in writing or through the online public service system of the contents that need to be supplemented or modified to the individual during the application period. Every thing will be done within 2 working days from the date of receipt of the application;

Time limit for settlement

Within 05 working days from the date of receiving the application for issuance of IDP in accordance with regulations.

Agencies directly carrying out administrative procedures:

Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, Department of Transport;

Expiry date and vehicle class allowed to drive:

(i) The validity period of the Vietnamese driver's license exchanged for foreigners is consistent with the duration stated in the entry visa or temporary residence card, and the validity period of the foreign driver's license, but not exceeding beyond the time limit specified in the Vietnamese driver's license;

(ii) The validity period of the Vietnamese driver's license exchanged for foreign tourists driving a foreign-registered vehicle into Vietnam is consistent with the travel time in Vietnam (from entry to exit) but not exceed the specified period of the Vietnamese driver's license.

(iii) For foreign tourists driving into Vietnam and not being able to present their passports and foreign driver's licenses, when changing their driving licenses, they can base themselves on the immigration list of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. security and a translation of the driver's license (with a copy of the foreign driver's license), making the driving license available to the number of registrants. Driving licenses are only issued to people who actually enter Vietnam after comparing foreign driver's licenses and passports;

(iv) The national driving license granted to the changer who can drive many different classes of vehicles is converted to a driving license to drive the respective vehicle classes of Vietnam.

4. Notes when using IDP:

IDP issued by Vietnam

According to Article 10 Circular 29/2015/TT-BGTVT, the use of international driver's license issued by Vietnam is as follows:

- Persons with IDP issued by Vietnam when operating a motor vehicle in traffic in the territory of a Contracting State to the Vienna Convention must carry an IDP and a national driving license; comply with the road traffic laws of the host country.

- The IDP issued by Vietnam is not valid for use within the Vietnamese territory.

As such, an international driver's license issued by Vietnam is not valid in the country to replace a Vietnamese driver's license. Foreigners when participating in traffic in Vietnam are required to carry a national driving license

IDPs issued by countries participating in the Vienna Convention in Vietnam

Pursuant to Article 11 of Circular 29/2015 of the Ministry of Transport, the use of IDPs by countries participating in the Vienna Convention in Vietnam is regulated as follows:

(i) Holders of IDPs issued by countries participating in the Vienna Convention when driving a road motor vehicle in the territory of Vietnam must carry an IDP and a national driver's license issued in accordance with the vehicle class. control; must comply with Vietnam's road traffic laws.

(ii) If an IDP holder violates Vietnam's road traffic laws and is deprived of the right to use an IDP for a definite time, the period of deprivation shall not exceed the time the driver is allowed to reside in the territory of Vietnam.

The above article is our firm's perspective towards issuing international driving licenses for foreigners in Vietnam. For more information and advice on this issue, please contact Doanh Tri Law Firm directly via:
Hotline: (+84) 911.233.955 - (024) 6293 8326
Email: [email protected]
Doanh Tri Law Firm is pleased to accompany our customers!