Driving Licence in Ho Chi Minh City: IDP, Conversion, Fines

An international driving permit from a Vienna Convention country counts only together with a valid national licence for the same vehicle class. A foreigner with a visa or residence card valid for 90 days or more may convert a national licence. Riding a small motorbike without a valid licence is fined VND 2,000,000 to 4,000,000.

By Vincent Nguyen

Does an international driving permit (IDP) alone work in Ho Chi Minh City? No. You carry the permit and a valid national licence for the same vehicle class. Vietnam’s traffic law says so in one sentence.

Người có giấy phép lái xe quốc tế do quốc gia là thành viên của Công ước Viên cấp khi lái xe tham gia giao thông đường bộ trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam phải mang theo giấy phép lái xe quốc tế và giấy phép lái xe quốc gia được cấp phù hợp với hạng xe điều khiển, còn thời hạn sử dụng

A person holding an international driving permit issued by a Vienna Convention country must carry both the permit and a valid national licence for the matching vehicle class when driving in Vietnam.

Luật Trật tự, an toàn giao thông đường bộ 36/2024/QH15, Điều 57 khoản 8 điểm b

Does my licence or IDP count in Ho Chi Minh City?

A driving licence is valid in Vietnam in four cases:

• It was issued by a competent Vietnamese authority.
• It is an international permit plus a national licence suited to the vehicle class, from a Vienna Convention country.
• It is a licence suited to the vehicle class from a country or territory that has a mutual-recognition treaty or agreement with Vietnam.
• It is a foreign licence suited to the vehicle class from a country recognised under a treaty Vietnam has joined.

Driving a motor vehicle without a licence as the law requires is a prohibited act.

If you hold an international permit

The permit is valid for no more than 3 years from the issue date. It must also fit within the remaining validity of your national licence. Riding with the permit but without the national licence is fined.

If you hold only a foreign licence

Your home licence on its own is valid only in the last two cases above. Otherwise convert it, as described below.

Which licence class does a scooter need?

A person aged 18 or over may be issued class A1, A, B1, B or C1. Classes A1, A and B1 have no expiry term.

Anyone who wants a licence must be trained in the theory and practice set for each class. In January 2026 the city traffic police said the test fee for classes A1, A and B1 is VND 60,000 per theory test and VND 70,000 per practical test.

Can you convert a foreign licence in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, if you live, work or study in Vietnam. You need a national licence that is still valid and one of these documents:

• A diplomatic or official identity card.
• A visa or temporary residence card valid for 90 days or more.
• A valid permanent residence card.

The new Vietnamese licence matches the remaining validity of your licence, visa or card.

What is never converted

A foreign licence is not converted if it is a temporary licence, an international driving permit, or a licence that is expired, erased or torn. A foreign licence not issued by a competent authority is also refused.

Points carry over

A licence keeps the same points after being exchanged, re-issued or upgraded. A licence carries 12 points.

What to bring

The file has three items:

1. A Vietnamese translation of the foreign licence, certified by a notary in Vietnam or translated by a Vietnamese representative agency abroad, glued to a copy of the licence.
2. A valid health certificate in electronic form, with a paper copy accepted only after a technical fault.
3. A copy of your visa or temporary residence card valid for 90 days or more, or one of the other listed documents.

The health certificate is not required from a foreigner who exchanges a licence for the period written on their entry visa or temporary residence card. Anyone driving must meet health conditions suited to the vehicle.

If you file in person, a photo is taken on the spot or taken from your ID data. You may also send a 3 cm x 4 cm white-background portrait. Show the originals for comparison.

Where to file in Ho Chi Minh City

The police take the file, not the transport department. In February 2025 the national traffic police explained that the provincial traffic police department took over the transport department’s tasks, and commune-level police take exchange files near residents.

You submit one set of documents in person at the traffic police department or at a commune-level police counter that takes applications, or online through the National Public Service Portal.

The city traffic police (PC08) received files at three sites from 1 March 2025, including 252 Ly Chinh Thang, Ward 9, District 3. The licence test and issue team sits at the same address, now written 252 Ly Chinh Thang, Nhieu Loc. Ward 9 is merged into Nhieu Loc Ward. The address format guide explains the new ward names.

The city police hold driving tests every day of the week, Monday to Sunday.

Fee and time

If you file online you pay the conversion fee through the portal’s payment function. A fee also applies to a file lodged in person.

Fines and insurance without a valid licence

These are the fine bands for an individual. The officer may temporarily seize the vehicle before issuing a penalty decision for these violations.

The compulsory civil-liability insurer owes no compensation when the driver has no licence, or uses an invalid, erased, expired or unsuited one.

Points, validity and an international permit of your own

Licences of classes A1, A and B1 have no expiry term. A foreigner with a permanent or temporary residence card may be issued an international permit if they hold a valid Vietnamese or treaty-country licence.

If you stay long, you may convert your national licence once you hold a visa or card valid for 90 days or more.

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Not confirmed: Which police counter takes foreign-licence files in person, and on which days. Ask the licence team at 252 Ly Chinh Thang before you go. Whether the VND 115,000 fee is the same for a foreigner and online. Check the amount on the portal before you pay.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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