Can You Legally Ride in Vietnam on a Foreign Licence or IDP?

💡 To ride legally in Vietnam, tourists must carry both their home country driving licence and the 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP): UK government travel advice confirms both documents are required, and third-party insurance is compulsory. Canadian government advice also warns that any vehicle with an engine of 50cc or larger requires a valid Vietnamese driving licence for longer-stay visitors.

What makes the 1968 IDP different, and why do you need it?

Three international conventions have governed international driving permits: the 1926 Paris Convention, the 1949 Geneva Convention, and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Vietnam is a signatory to the 1968 convention, which is the one that matters here. UK government travel advice confirms that the 1968 version of the IDP is the required document for operating vehicles in Vietnam: an older 1949 version does not satisfy this requirement.

IDPs are issued by national motoring organisations in your home country: in the UK, the AA or RAC; in the US, AAA; in Canada, CAA; in Australia, your state motoring club. You cannot obtain an IDP inside Vietnam. The permit typically costs the equivalent of under USD 30 and takes a few days to issue. It is valid for 12 months and must accompany your home driving licence at all times: neither document is valid on its own.

Does your IDP still cover you after a long stay?

This is the question many longer-stay expats and nomads overlook. UK government travel advice does not specify a cut-off date for IDP validity in Vietnam. Canadian government travel advice, however, states plainly that riding any vehicle with an engine of 50cc or larger requires a valid Vietnamese driving licence. Most scooters available to rent in Da Nang fall in the 110cc to 125cc range, well above that threshold.

Official guidance does not define the point at which a short-stay visitor becomes a long-stay visitor for this rule. Rather than assume your IDP remains valid indefinitely, verify directly with the Da Nang Department of Transport (Sở Giao thông Vận tải Đà Nẵng) if you have been in Vietnam for several weeks or longer. If you are stopped and your documents are found insufficient, you may face a traffic fine and your travel insurance cover may be voided. For help in a roadside incident, the Da Nang Help motorbike accident guide explains what to do and who to call.

How do you exchange a foreign licence for a Vietnamese driving licence?

If you plan to stay in Vietnam long-term, exchanging your foreign driving licence for a Vietnamese one is the practical solution. The Da Nang Department of Transport (Sở Giao thông Vận tải Đà Nẵng) handles the exchange process locally. Requirements vary by the issuing country and driving licence category: exact documents, fees, and processing times should be confirmed directly at the Da Nang office before you apply.

As general guidance based on commonly reported procedures: bring your valid original foreign licence, your passport with a valid visa or long-term residence document, and a certified translation of your licence if it is not in Vietnamese or English. Some nationalities also need a health certificate and a notarised extract of the foreign licence. Do not rely on any fee figure stated here: Vietnamese administrative fees change with regulation, so confirm the current amount at the Da Nang office before you submit your application.

What to carry when riding in Da Nang and Central Vietnam

When riding anywhere in Central Vietnam, carry these documents: your home driving licence, your 1968 IDP, your passport or a certified copy, the vehicle registration document (giấy đăng ký xe), and proof of third-party insurance. Traffic police (cảnh sát giao thông / CSGT) can stop any rider and request documentation. Present everything calmly and completely.

If you need assistance in a language situation, the Da Nang Visitor Center at 108 Bạch Đằng, phone (0236) 3 550 111, can help route you to support. The Da Nang Help center has emergency contacts and guides for all common situations faced by foreigners in Central Vietnam.

Why riding without the correct documents voids your insurance

Travel insurance policies that cover motorbike riding do so only when you hold a valid licence for the vehicle class and are riding legally under local law. If you are involved in an accident without the correct documents, your insurer has grounds to deny the medical claim on the basis that you were not riding legally. This applies even if the accident was not your fault.

An uninsured overnight stay in intensive care at a Da Nang private hospital can cost several thousand US dollars. Read your policy's motorbike section before renting, specifically the "valid licence" and "local law compliance" clauses. If the wording is unclear, call your insurer's assistance line before you get on a bike. For more on the rental process, including what to inspect before riding away, the Da Nang motorbike rental guide has step-by-step practical detail.

FAQ

Do I need an IDP if I only plan to ride a 50cc moped?

Canadian government advice applies the Vietnamese licence requirement to all vehicles of 50cc and above, so a 50cc moped is not automatically exempt. Verify with your insurer and the Da Nang Department of Transport before renting any vehicle, regardless of engine size.

Where do I get a 1968 IDP if I am already in Vietnam?

You cannot get one in Vietnam. IDPs must be obtained from your national motoring organisation before you travel: in the UK, the AA or RAC; in the US, AAA; in Canada, CAA; in Australia, your state motoring club. Allow at least a week before departure for processing and postage.

What documents should I show if traffic police stop me?

Show your home driving licence, 1968 IDP, passport or certified copy, vehicle registration (giấy đăng ký xe), and insurance document. Cooperate calmly. If a fine is issued, ask for a written receipt. If you cannot communicate, contact the Da Nang Visitor Center at (0236) 3 550 111.

My home country only issues the 1949 IDP - can I still ride legally?

If your national motoring organisation issues only the 1949 version, you may not satisfy the 1968 requirement in UK government travel advice. Check with your motoring organisation whether a 1968 IDP is available, and verify with your travel insurer before riding. If the 1968 version is not available, the licence exchange route may be the most reliable option for a legal ride in Vietnam.

Does the IDP expire while I am still in Vietnam?

Yes. The IDP's expiry date applies regardless of where you are. If it expires during your stay, you no longer satisfy the two-document rule. Options: leave and re-enter Vietnam with a new valid IDP, or begin the process of exchanging for a Vietnamese driving licence at the Da Nang Department of Transport before the expiry date.

Official sources

• UK Government: Vietnam travel advice, safety and security - 1968 IDP requirement, two-document rule, third-party insurance. Verified September 2026.
• Government of Canada: Vietnam travel advice - Vietnamese driving licence required for 50cc and above. Verified September 2026.