Travel Blog
Does an international driver's license allow you to drive in Vietnam?
According to Vietnamese law, only the International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for use within the territory of Vietnam.
IDPs issued by the competent authorities of countries (including administrative regions) participating in the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna Convention) are considered valid translations of a national driver's license into various languages.
Other types of international driver's licenses will not be valid for use within the territory of Vietnam.
However, according to Circular No. 29/2015/TT-BGTVT regarding the use of international driver's permits, individuals holding IDPs issued by countries participating in the Vienna Convention must carry both the IDP and a national driver's license appropriate for the category of vehicle being operated while driving motor vehicles on Vietnamese territory, and must comply with Vietnamese road traffic laws.
Furthermore, individuals holding IDPs who violate Vietnamese road traffic laws and have their IDP privileges revoked will have their revocation period not exceeding the duration of their residency permit in Vietnamese territory.
Additionally, this circular explicitly states that IDPs issued by Vietnam are not valid for use within Vietnamese territory. Moreover, individuals holding IDPs issued by Vietnam must carry both the IDP and a national driver's license when operating motor vehicles participating in road traffic on the territory of countries that are parties to the Vienna Convention, and must comply with the road traffic laws of the respective countries.
International Automobile Association (IAA)
The International Automobile Association (IAA) International Driving Permit (IAA) is an internationally recognized driver's license that allows the holder to drive in foreign countries. This license is issued by the International Automobile Association (IAA), a non-governmental organization based in the United States.Inside the IAA International Driving Permit, there is information about the holder along with a list of countries that accept this type of license, translated into 8 languages to enable law enforcement officers in various countries to read and understand the content of this international driving permit.
In addition to the IAA International Driving Permit booklet with complete detailed information, users are also provided with a plastic card featuring a clear, high-quality scan of the signature and photo of the license holder.
The duration of validity of the license depends on the user's needs and preferences. You can register the validity period of the IAA permit for 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, or even 20 years.
However, the IAA International Driving Permit is not valid for use in Vietnam.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
International Driving Permit (IDP):
- Only IDPs issued by the competent authorities of countries participating in the Vienna Convention are valid for use in Vietnam.
- Users of the IDP must carry both the IDP and a national driving license appropriate for the type of vehicle being driven, and comply with Vietnam's road traffic laws.
- Violations of Vietnam's road traffic laws with an IDP may result in the revocation of the right to use the IDP for a period not exceeding the duration of residence in Vietnam.
International Automobile Association (IAA) International Driving Permit:
- The IAA permit is a type of international driving license recognized by the International Automobile Association (IAA).
- Although the IAA permit can be used in many different countries and is translated into multiple languages, it is not valid for use in Vietnam.
- The IAA permit can be issued with a validity period ranging from 3 to 20 years, depending on the user's needs and preferences.
Provisions of Circular 29/2015/TT-BGTVT:
- This circular specifies the use of the IDP and the appropriate national driving license when operating motor vehicles on Vietnam's roads.
- It also states that IDPs issued by Vietnam are not valid for use in Vietnam, and individuals with IDPs issued by Vietnam must comply with the traffic laws of the respective country.
