How to get a driving licence
To the Editor, There are many foreigners in Viet Nam, but to my knowledge none seem to have a Vietnamese motorbike or car licence.
And, the odd thing is, there seems to be no pressure on them to get one, from police or employers or society as a whole.
Police almost never pull over a foreign driver, but if a foreign-driven vehicle hits someone – even if the foreigner is the innocent party – the lack of a licence can cost heavily in financial and social terms.
It is not uncommon to hear of foreigners being deported after paying out tens of millions of dong in compensation. So, in the name of justice for all, would someone please explain how one goes about getting a licence?
Is it similar to the endless "run-around" one has to go through to get a visa extension? One would hope not.
John MacDonald,
Quan Su Street, Ha Noi
Dear John,
We believe everyone is equal before the law. There is no biased arbitration on who should be blamed for an accident, no matter who he or she is, a Vietnamese or a foreigner. However, foreigners in Viet Nam should be well-prepared when driving since you can be fined about VND200,000 (US$9.5) and have your vehicle seized temporarily without a driving licence.
You can be sure that all foreigners living and working in Viet Nam, who are at least 18 years of age and hold a visa for at least three months, can obtain a driver's licence by completing an application form and satisfying certain requirements.
If you hold a valid international or national driver's licence to operate an automobile and motorcycle, you can obtain a similar driver licence without a test.
In the case that you are a holder of a valid international or national driver's licence eligible of operating automobiles only, you can obtain a motorcycle driver's licence after passing a driving test.
If you do not have a driver's licence of any kind, you have to pass both theory and driving tests. The theory test is in Vietnamese and you are not allowed to have an interpreter or translator. It is a 10-minute computer-based test with 15 questions, including traffic laws and signs. If you pass both the theory and driver's tests you can get a "forever" licence to drive a motorcycle in Viet Nam.
Please note that for motorcycles, foreigners can only get an A1 licence for motorcycles with an engine size of 50cc -175cc. Also all photocopies must be notarised by an authorised government office. Applicants must present their original passport, visa, diplomatic ID card and driving licence when the application is submitted. Also prepare some 3x4 passport photos and have your application signed and sealed by your embassy, general consulate, company or representative office.
The application will be submitted at your local department of transport. Since you are living in Ha Noi, please go for your application to 2 Phung Hung, Ha Dong District or 16 Cao Ba Quat, Ba Dinh District. The good news is that your application will be submitted at the one-stop-shop section as posted on the department's website.
So check prepare your application carefully. And if you need any more help on this, don't hesitate to contact us anytime.
The Editor