How can foreigners who reside in Vietnam renew their foreign driving licenses?

Legal situation: My foreign husband has resided in Vietnam for about a year. He obtained a driving license issued by a foreign authority. Now, he wants to renew his driving license to legally drive in Vietnam. 

FDVN's opinion: 

The conditions for renewing of driving license issued to foreigners residing in Vietnam is stipulated as follows:

According to Point g, Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular No.12/2017/TT-BGTVT dated April 15, 2017, Foreigners residing, working and studying in Vietnam for at least 03 months, having Diplomatic or Official Identity Card, Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card, stay permits and unexpired native driving licenses may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam;

In addition, it should be noted that there are cases that are ineligible for the renewal of driving licenses as prescribed in Clause 6, Article 37 of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT amended and supplemented by Circular No. 38/2019/TT-BGTVT, including:

a) Temporary foreign driving licenses, international driving licenses, foreign driving licenses, driving licenses issued by the army or police that have been expired and are suspected of being falsified or so damaged that cannot be identified; suspicious foreign driving licenses that cannot be verified;

b) Driving licenses issued by transport authorities but not included in the driving license information system, list of candidates granted driving licenses (management book);

c) Period from military discharge decision to the implementation of procedures on renewal of driving licenses issued by the Ministry of National Defense in excess of 06 months;

d) Persons who are not as healthy as prescribed.

Therefore, if your husband resides, works, or studies in Vietnam, obtains documents such as a Diplomatic or Official Identity Card, Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card, or Permanent Residence Card for at least 03 months, possesses an unexpired native driving license, and does not fall into any of the cases that make him ineligible for the renewal of driving licenses, he may apply for renewal with the corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam.

The candidate shall send a set of application in person to Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or Department of Transport (where the residence is registered).

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