FULL GUIDANCE ON APPLYING VIETNAMESE DRIVING LICENSE FOR FOREIGN EXPATRIATES 2025

Friday, 02/05/25

In recent years, Vietnam has become a popular destination for expatriates, offering exciting career and lifestyle opportunities. As a foreigner living and working in Vietnam, having the ability to drive can greatly enhance your daily life and mobility. However, obtaining a Vietnamese driving license can be a complex process for expatriates due to the specific requirements and legal regulations involved. This comprehensive guide aims to provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the process for expatriates looking to apply for a Vietnamese driving license in 2025, covering everything from the necessary documents to the application process and essential tips for a smooth experience. Whether you’re planning to convert your foreign license or apply for a new one, this guide of Visa5s.com will ensure you are well-informed and prepared for the journey ahead.

KEY REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR VIETNAMESE DRIVING LICENSE 2025

For Vietnamese driving licenses issued to foreigners, the types of road motor vehicles that foreigners drive will depend on the national driving license that foreigners are issued in their country. The Department of Transport will issue a Vietnamese driving license based on the validity period of the foreign driving license, but not exceeding the validity period stated in the Visa/Temporary Residence Card of foreigners in Vietnam.
According to current regulations of Vietnam, if foreigners come to Vietnam to live and work and want to drive in Vietnam, they will have to carry out the procedure to convert their driving license. Subjects eligible for driving license exchange are specified in Point G, Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT including: "Foreigners residing, working, studying in Vietnam, with diplomatic identity cards, official identity cards, temporary residence cards, residence cards, residence cards, permanent residence cards with a period of 03 months or more, with a valid national driving license, if they need to drive in Vietnam, they will be considered for exchange to the corresponding Vietnamese driving license".

COMPLETE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST REQUIRED FOR FOREIGNERS TO APPLY FOR A VIETNAMESE DRIVING LICENSE IN 2025

No.	Document’s name	How to prepare
1	Application for renewal of driving license	Original
2	Passport	Original
3	Foreign driving license	Original
4	Foreign driving license	Notarized translation
5	Vietnam driving license (if any)	Original
6	Entry stamp	Original
7	TRC/ Vietnam visa	Original

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO APPLYING FOR A VIETNAMESE DRIVING LICENSE AS A FOREIGN EXPATRIATE IN 2025

STEP	INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION VIETNAM DRIVING LICENSE
Step 1: Prepare all documents according to checklist	Prepare all documents according to checklist with 2 photocopies/original documents
Step 2: Go to the Department of Transport to submit the application	Address: 252 Ly Chinh Thang, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Working hours: From Monday to Friday (7:30 am - 11:30 am, 1:30 pm - 4:45 pm), closed on Saturday and Sunday. Stop accepting applications after 11 am and 4 pm. Getting a number and waiting for your number to submit your application + the officer checks the original documents (the original documents will be returned after the officer has finished checking). Then waiting for your turn to take a photo. Sitting and waiting for your name to be called to pay the fee for applying for a Vietnamese driver's license (135,000 VND). Afther that, you will receive a receipt and appointment letter for results. You can register to have your Driver's License results sent home by post.
Step 3: Receive driving license results	The driver's license will be issued 7-10 days after submitting the application. In some cases, it may take longer, depending on the situation and number of applications from the Department of Transport.

ARTICLES RELATED TO VIETNAM'S VISAS, TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD AND WORK PERMIT

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FULL GUIDANCE ON APPLYING VIETNAMESE DRIVING LICENSE FOR FOREIGN EXPATRIATES 2025

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