Option 1: Applicable if your visa in Vietnam is a tourist visa lasting 3 months or LESS
Status 1 - You have your home country driving license with motorbike endorsement. In addition, you also have a valid international driving permit (IDP) from countries that signed 1949 Convention. Sadly, Vietnam doesn’t accept both of your licenses.
Status 2 - You have your home country driving license with motorbike endorsement. In addition, you also have a valid international driving permit (IDP) from countries that signed 1968 Convention (printed right on the first page). Congratulations, there is nothing you need to do. Bring both of these documents and you are legal to ride motorbikes in Vietnam. However, you can only be legal for the displacement limit of your personal license (A1 or A2).
Status 2 - You have your home country driving license with motorbike endorsement. In addition, you also have a valid international driving permit (IDP) from countries that signed 1968 Convention (printed right on the first page). Congratulations, there is nothing you need to do. Bring both of these documents and you are legal to ride motorbikes in Vietnam. However, you can only be legal for the displacement limit of your personal license (A1 or A2).
To be legally drive a motorbike in Vietnam an International Driving Permit (IDP), also called an International Driving License (IDL), is required by law and allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises IDPs. To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid driving licence issued in the holder's country of citizenship.
The IDP only applies to vehicles that you are legally able to drive back in your home country. For instance, a car license combined with an IDP is not sufficient to legally drive a motorcycle in Vietnam.
First, check to see if your country has signed AND ratified the Convention on Road Traffic, commonly known as the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. If your country signed in 1968, but did not ratify, then at the present time, the Vietnamese government do not accept an IDP from your country. Many countries like Australia, UK, USA and Canada etc. are not signatories to the 1968 Convention but abide by the 1949 Geneva Convention. Therefore, citizens of those countries are NOT able to drive in Vietnam with their IDPs. There is an up to date list here
Secondly, assure you have an up to date motorcycle driving licence (A1 or A2) in your country of origin. You need A1 license for under 175cc or A2 for over 175cc. Car licences do not allow you to drive a motorcycle legally in Vietnam.
Use your driving licence and apply for an international driving permit in your country. These are inexpensive, take little time to process and are valid for one year. Rules vary from country to country, but typically, you will need the following documents to apply for an IDP.
Finally, assure you have travel / medical insurance that covers you for driving in Vietnam. This is essential.
ETHOS require all participants in self driving motorbike tours to show their valid driving licence, IDP and insurance cover for you to join with our tours.
The IDP only applies to vehicles that you are legally able to drive back in your home country. For instance, a car license combined with an IDP is not sufficient to legally drive a motorcycle in Vietnam.
First, check to see if your country has signed AND ratified the Convention on Road Traffic, commonly known as the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. If your country signed in 1968, but did not ratify, then at the present time, the Vietnamese government do not accept an IDP from your country. Many countries like Australia, UK, USA and Canada etc. are not signatories to the 1968 Convention but abide by the 1949 Geneva Convention. Therefore, citizens of those countries are NOT able to drive in Vietnam with their IDPs. There is an up to date list here
Secondly, assure you have an up to date motorcycle driving licence (A1 or A2) in your country of origin. You need A1 license for under 175cc or A2 for over 175cc. Car licences do not allow you to drive a motorcycle legally in Vietnam.
Use your driving licence and apply for an international driving permit in your country. These are inexpensive, take little time to process and are valid for one year. Rules vary from country to country, but typically, you will need the following documents to apply for an IDP.
- Your full driving licence - Photo card or older paper version licence
- The application fee
- A passport sized photo signed on the back
- Proof of identification e.g. passport
Finally, assure you have travel / medical insurance that covers you for driving in Vietnam. This is essential.
ETHOS require all participants in self driving motorbike tours to show their valid driving licence, IDP and insurance cover for you to join with our tours.
Note for British Nationals:
Vietnamese authorities have agreed that, between September 2018 and 28 March 2019 , the holders of UK issued International Driver’s Permits or UK domestic driving licences will be allowed to drive cars or ride motorbikes in Vietnam. After 28 March 2019, British visitors wishing to drive cars or ride motorbikes in Vietnam will need to present both their UK domestic driver’s licence and a UK issued International Driver’s Permit.
Vietnamese authorities have agreed that, between September 2018 and 28 March 2019 , the holders of UK issued International Driver’s Permits or UK domestic driving licences will be allowed to drive cars or ride motorbikes in Vietnam. After 28 March 2019, British visitors wishing to drive cars or ride motorbikes in Vietnam will need to present both their UK domestic driver’s licence and a UK issued International Driver’s Permit.