Procedures on renewal of foreign driver licenses for using it in Vietnam

I have a friend who is a foreigner. He has lived in Vietnam for nearly 1 year. He currently has a driver license issued by a foreign agency but he wants to use it in Vietnam. So, what is the conversion procedure? I'm looking forward to your response. Thank you!

FDVN’s opinions:

Thank you for concerning and trusting in FDVN’s legal services. We have studied the law provisions to provide you with our advice. Please kindly see the answer below:

1. Legal provisions on conditions for converting driver license for foreigners in Vietnam

According to the provisions of Point g, Clause 5 and Clause 6, Article 37 of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT dated 15 April, 2017 on driver training, driving tests and issuance of driver licenses for road motor vehicles, the conditions for the conversion of foreigners’ driver licenses are:

- Foreigners residing, working, and studying in Vietnam for at least 03 months, having Diplomatic or Official Identity Card, Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card.

- Unexpired native driver licenses 

- Unexpired temporary foreign driver licenses, international driver licenses, foreign driver licenses  

- Not being erased or torn leading to the loss of necessary elements or the difference in identification

- Persons who do not have any of the diseases prescribed in Appendix 1, issued together with Joint Circular No. 24/2015/TTLT-BYT-BGTVT dated 21 August, 2015 of the Minister of Health and Minister of Transport.

[2]. Procedures on renewal of foreign driver licenses

According to Article 41 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT amended by Circular 38/2019/TT-BGTVT, the renewal procedure of a foreign driver's license is as follows: 

Step 1. The candidate shall send a set of applications in person to Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (where the residence is registered).

The application includes:

- Written request for renewal of driver license (Vietnamese citizens shall use the form in Appendix 19 enclosed herewith, foreigners shall use the form in Appendix 20 enclosed herewith);

- A written translation of the foreign driver license in Vietnamese guaranteed in quality by a notary office or Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam for which the translator works, affixed with fan stamping and copy of the driver license; in case of Vietnamese, the consular legalized driver license or foreign driver license in accordance with the law on consular certification and consular legalization is required, except for cases of exemption as per the laws;

- The copy of passport (passport number, full name, passport photo, validity period and page of entry visa to Vietnam), people’s identity card, citizen’s identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or a photocopy of the Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card, stay permits or the papers proving the foreigner’s long-term residence in Vietnam; in case of any question found, the licensing agency shall issue a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security and the Immigration Office affiliated to the Public Security station at the provinces for verification.

Step 2. The applicant shall be photographed when submitting the application for replacement and must present the original copy of aforesaid documents (except for sent original documents) for comparison.

Notes:

- Applications for renewal of driver licenses returned to drivers by the licensing agency are original records including documents and foreign driver licenses.

- Applications for renewal of driver licenses for foreigners not permanently residing in Vietnam are stored for 01 years by the licensing agency including documents.

- Time limit for renewal of driver license:

No more than 05 working days since the receipt of applications as prescribed; (According to Point a Clause 8 Article 37 Circular 12/2017 / TT-BGTVT)

- Validity period and vehicle classes eligible for driving:

Validity period of Vietnamese driver licenses issued to foreigners should be in compliance with validity specified in the entry visa or temporary residence card, foreign driver license but not exceed the validity as prescribed in laws on Vietnamese driver licenses;

Validity period of Vietnamese driver licenses issued to foreign tourists driving foreign-registered cars into Vietnam should comply with the duration of the tour in Vietnam (from entry to exit) but not exceed the validity as prescribed in laws on Vietnamese driver licenses.

Above is FDVN Law Firm's opinion based on studying legal regulations. Hopefully, FDVN's advice will be helpful to you.

Legal advisor: Ngo My Tram

FDVN Law Firm

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