Motorbikes are the main means of transportation in Vietnam, so it’s undoubted that riding a motorbike is the best way for you to explore the country and the life of people here.

However, some foreigners who plan to take a motorcycle trip in Vietnam think that their motorbike license in the home country can be used here.

Then they are totally wrong.

So how do you get started to have a Vietnam motorbike license? And how much will it cost?

Luckily, you can choose several ways in this article. How this process works depends on your affordability and the availability of time in Vietnam.

Let’s dig deeper into it!

What do you need to ride a bike in Vietnam

If you want to take a Vietnam motorcycle trip, you will need a Vietnamese driving license. If you buy a motorcycle, make sure the seller gives you all the vital paperwork, especially the blue card. It plays an essential role in proving that you are the owner of that motorbike, even without your name on it.

Regarding the Vietnam motorbike license, it has two types, which include the A1 license (for motorbikes under 175cc) and A2 license (for motorcycles over 175cc). For vehicles under 50cc, it does not require a driving license. However, they are too small, not suitable for the physique of travelers from abroad.

As a consequence, it is better to have a local driving license here.

Foreign licenses in Vietnam

Unfortunately, in Vietnam, the International Drivers Permits of countries that did not sign under the 1968 convention will not be considered legal. Therefore, you need to check if your license is valid here. And even so, you still need a motorbike license in your country and register it on the IDP.

Some typical examples of countries where citizens are not allowed to ride motorcycles in Vietnam with their driving licenses are the UK, Australia, USA, and Canada.

How to get a driving license in Vietnam

Before learning about it, you need to know that you will get a Vietnam motorbike license only if your Vietnamese visa is valid for 3 months or more. Besides, you also need a motorbike license in your home to be able to convert it to the international driving license legally.

If you are in this situation, these are the options for you.

One of the simplest ways to get your driving license in Vietnam is using trusted agents here. And we highly recommend BM Travel Adventure – one of the most prestigious operators in Hanoi. If you rent their motorbikes or Vietnam motorbike tours, they will support and help you with all the steps related to papers. With this support, you won’t have to take any theory or practice test in Vietnamese.

If you do not want to ask for travel agents, you can apply for a Vietnamese driving license yourself. It can save you a lot of money, but the process is quite complicated, especially if you don’t have a local English-speaking guide. You can go to any offices of the Department of Public Works and Transportation to apply. Accordingly, if you do not spend a lot of time in Vietnam, we recommend that you do not choose this option.

However, if you do not have your driving license at home, do not be disappointed. You will still get the A1 license or A2 license with different costs. The requirement here is that you will take two theory and practice tests on the same day.

To get a driving license in Vietnam, you need to prepare the following documents and items:

• Copy of passport, visa, or resident card
• 4 photos 3 × 4
• Original driving license
• 1 million deposit

How much does the license cost? And how long will it be valid for?

The term of your Vietnam motorbike license will be proportional to the amount of money you spend. If you choose to apply on your own, the total cost for the two-year Vietnamese driving license will be around $25.

The cost you pay for travel agents’ services will be different. For example, if you hire the service of BM Travel Adventure to convert your local driving license into IAA International Driving License, then the price is listed below

• The one-year driving license costs 100 USD
• The three-year driving license costs 110 USD
• The five-year driving license costs 120 USD
• The ten-year driving license costs 130 USD
• The 20-year driving license costs 150 USD

If you want to be permitted to ride a motorbike in Vietnam, you must apply for a Vietnam motorbike license, or simply through the service of a travel agent. If you have further questions on riding motorcycles in Vietnam, then ask us or leave your message below. Don’t hesitate to like and share the guide with others if you find it useful. Thank you.