In case a foreigner already has a national driver's license and does not want to retake the Vietnamese driver's license test but wants to participate in traffic, what are the procedures for changing a driver's license?

Which foreigners can change to a Vietnamese driver's license?

According to Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, foreigners can change to the corresponding Vietnamese driving license in the following cases:

– Reside, work, study in Vietnam, have a diplomatic ID card, official ID card, temporary residence card, residence card, residence card, permanent residence card for a period of 03 months or more up, have a valid national driving license, and want to drive in Vietnam;

– Foreign tourists driving foreign-registered vehicles into Vietnam, with a valid national driving license, and wishing to drive in Vietnam.

Expiry date of driver's license exchanged for foreigners

Point a, point b, Clause 7, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017 of the Ministry of Transport stipulates:

– The term of use of a Vietnamese driver's license exchanged for a foreigner is consistent with the term stated in the entry visa or temporary residence card, consistent with the term of use of a foreign driver's license but does not exceed the term. Vietnamese driver's license term limit;

– The validity period of Vietnamese driving licenses exchanged for foreign tourists driving foreign-registered vehicles into Vietnam is consistent with the time of travel in Vietnam (from entry to exit) but does not exceed beyond the prescribed validity period of the Vietnamese driver's license.

Procedures for changing driver's licenses for foreigners

Note:

– The foreign driver's license must still be valid, not erased, torn, no longer having the necessary elements to change the driver's license, or have differences in identification;

– Do not change foreign temporary driving licenses or international driving licenses.

Change driver's license for foreigners

According to Article 41 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, procedures for changing driver's licenses for foreigners are as follows:

Step 1: The driver prepares 01 set of documents, including:

– Application to change driver's license (according to the form in Appendix 20 issued with this Circular);

– The translation of a foreign driver's license into Vietnamese is guaranteed by the translation quality of the Notary Public or Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, and stamped adjacent to the copy of the license. drive;

– Copy of passport (passport number, full name and photo of the person issued, expiry date and visa page to enter Vietnam);

– Copy of diplomatic or official identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or copy of residence card, residence card, temporary residence card, permanent residence card, documents verifying long-term settlement in Vietnam.

Step 2: Submit your application to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (place of registration of residence, stay, temporary residence or long-term settlement).

Upon arrival, the driver must take photos directly at the driver's license issuing agency and present the originals of the above documents (except the originals already sent) for comparison.

Step 3: Check records

The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport checks the documents upon receipt.

In case the dossier does not comply with regulations, notify directly/in writing the contents that need to be supplemented or amended within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier.

Step 4: Pay fees

Fee: 135,000 VND/time (Circular 188/2016/TT-BTC)

Step 5: Wait for resolution and receive results

Within 05 working days from the date of receiving complete documents, Vietnam Road Administration or the Department of Transport will change the driver's license.

If you do not change your driver's license, you must respond and clearly state the reason.

All the details please contact us Hotline: 0287 1015 246 for advice and support.