Riding Without a Licence in Vietnam: Fines and What Happens
A rider without a valid licence is fined VND 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 on a bike up to 125 cm3 and VND 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 above that. A foreign rider with an IDP from a Vienna Convention state carries the national licence for the class. The officer may temporarily seize the vehicle.
On this page
A foreign rider carries two papers: the IDP and the national licence for the vehicle class. Or hold a Vietnamese licence.
The two fine bands
Decree 168/2024/NĐ-CP sets both bands for an individual. Each is a range, and the exact figure falls inside it.
| Bike | Fine (VND) |
|---|---|
| Two-wheeled, up to 125 cm3 or electric up to 11 kW | 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 |
| Two-wheeled, over 125 cm3 or electric over 11 kW, or three-wheeled | 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 |
Both bands cover a rider with no licence, an expired licence, a licence not issued by a competent authority, an erased licence or a licence with all points deducted. Both also cover a licence unsuited to the bike being driven.
A rider holding a 1968 Vienna Convention IDP but not carrying the national licence for the class falls into the same bands.
Decree 238/2026/NĐ-CP took effect on 15 August 2026. For this article’s topic it amends point a of clause 4 of Article 18, the rider aged 16 to under 18. The two adult bands above are clauses 5 and 7 of Article 18.
Which papers count
A driving licence is valid in Vietnamese territory if it is one of the listed cases. Two cases matter for a visitor:
- A licence issued by a competent Vietnamese authority.
- An IDP together with a national licence suited to the vehicle class, issued by a 1968 Vienna Convention state.
An IDP is valid for no more than 3 years from the date of issue, and it must fit within the remaining validity of the national licence. Viet Nam acceded to the 1968 Convention on 20 August 2014.
Licence classes
Class A1 is issued for two-wheeled bikes up to 125 cm3 or 11 kW. Class A covers bikes over 125 cm3 or 11 kW and every vehicle class A1 covers.
IAA permits and other foreign licences
Only four kinds of licence are valid in Vietnam. An IAA permit is not one of them, and an IDP must come from a state authority of a Vienna Convention member. Vietnam acceded to the 1968 Convention, so check that your country is a member.
A foreign licence on its own does not count either. In May 2026 police in Khanh Hoa province stopped a rider who showed an Indonesian licence and no IDP and took him and his bike to the station. A second foreign rider without a valid permit was fined and his motorbike impounded. The owner who lent the bike was fined too.
Mopeds
A moped has two or three wheels and a design speed of no more than 50 km/h. Its engine is no more than 50 cm3, or its electric motor no more than 4 kW. A road user driving a vehicle holds a licence that suits the vehicle, except a moped rider. A person aged 16 or over may ride a moped.
A pedal-assist bicycle, including an electric bicycle, has a motor that cuts out when the rider stops pedalling or the bike reaches 25 km/h. A motorcycle is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that is not a moped.
What happens at a stop
Operating a motor vehicle without a driving licence as the law requires is a prohibited act. The consequences are listed below.
- A record. A penalty can be issued without a written record only for a warning or a fine up to VND 500,000 for an individual. Both rider bands start above that figure.
- A temporary seizure. The competent person may seize the vehicle before the penalty decision for the rider violations in Article 18.
- A hold of up to 7 working days. Plan on 7 working days from the day of seizure. The hold stretches to 10 working days only where the file goes to another authority. Where a vehicle is held to secure a penalty decision, the seizure ends once the decision is carried out.
- A held licence. Where only a money fine applies, the officer may hold the driving licence until the penalty is carried out. A violator with no such papers may have the vehicle held instead.
Paying the fine
The fined person pays at the State Treasury or into the State Treasury account named in the decision. A decision without a record is handed to the person fined in one copy. The person who collects an on-the-spot fine gives a payment document.
Who else is fined
An owner who hands a motorcycle or moped to a person who does not meet the licence conditions is fined VND 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 as an individual. The same act by an organisation owner is fined VND 16,000,000 to 20,000,000.
Never leave your passport as a deposit for a hire bike or as a guarantee that you will pay a fine. Rent from a reputable shop and check the motorbike thoroughly.
Insurance after a stop
Under the compulsory motor third-party liability insurance decree, the insurer owes no compensation when the driver has no driving licence or an invalid one. Driving without third-party insurance is illegal in Vietnam. Make sure your travel insurance covers your planned activity.
See health insurance for foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City for cover that fits a rider.
After a crash or a stop
The police service number is 113. Cooperate with the police after an accident and tell your embassy or consulate. Emergency numbers answer in Vietnamese only, so take a translator and get a police report.
More numbers are in Ho Chi Minh City emergency numbers.
Getting a valid licence
A foreigner residing, working or studying in Vietnam may have a valid national licence converted to the matching Vietnamese class. The foreigner needs one of the listed papers, such as a visa or temporary residence card valid for 90 days or more. A short tourist stay is not residing here, so a visitor rides on the IDP and national licence instead. An IDP is not converted.
The conversion counter, fees and papers are in the driving licence guide. For the other ways to move around the city, see getting around Ho Chi Minh City.
Step by step
- Carry both papersA rider with an IDP from a Vienna Convention state also carries the national licence for the class.
- Match the class to the bikeClass A1 covers bikes up to 125 cm3 or 11 kW, and class A covers larger bikes.
- Expect a record and a seizureThe officer may seize the vehicle before the penalty decision, for no more than 7 working days.
- Pay at the State TreasuryThe fined person pays at the State Treasury or into the account named in the decision.
- Check the insuranceThe insurer owes no compensation when the driver has no licence or an invalid one.
Not confirmed: Whether the IDP from your country counts: an IDP is valid only from a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Check the issuing country before you rent a bike above 50 cm3.
Common questions
What is the fine for riding a motorbike without a licence?
On a bike up to 125 cm3 or 11 kW the fine is VND 2,000,000 to 4,000,000. Above 125 cm3 or 11 kW it is VND 6,000,000 to 8,000,000.
Do I need a licence for a 50 cm3 scooter?
Only a true moped needs none: a design speed of no more than 50 km/h and an engine of no more than 50 cm3. The rider is 16 or over. Anything bigger is a motorcycle, and class A1 covers up to 125 cm3.
Is an IAA international permit valid in Vietnam?
No. A valid licence is a Vietnamese licence, an IDP with a national licence from a 1968 Vienna Convention state, or a licence from a country Vietnam recognises by treaty. An IAA permit is none of these.
Can the police keep my motorbike?
The competent person may temporarily seize the vehicle before issuing a penalty decision. The seizure lasts no more than 7 working days, or no more than 10 working days where the file goes to another authority.
Does insurance pay if I have no valid licence?
Under the compulsory motor third-party liability insurance decree, the insurer owes no compensation when the driver has no driving licence or an invalid one.
What if the rental shop lent me the bike?
An owner who hands a motorcycle or moped to a person without the required licence is fined VND 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 as an individual. An organisation owner is fined VND 16,000,000 to 20,000,000.
Where do I get a valid licence?
Hold an IDP from a Vienna Convention state together with your national licence, or convert a valid national licence under the conversion rules. The [driving licence guide](/money/driving-licence-ho-chi-minh-city/) has the steps.
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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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