Guide to Obtaining a Driver’s License in Vietnam

Guide to Obtaining a Driver’s License in Vietnam

Obtaining a driver’s license in Vietnam presents unique challenges due to its distinct requirements and procedures. Your journey from understanding the necessary documentation to mastering local road rules is pivotal for those eager to explore Vietnam’s dynamic landscapes on wheels. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the process, equipping you with the knowledge needed to confidently obtain your driving license and embark on adventures across Vietnam.

A fundamental prerequisite for obtaining a driver’s license is holding a temporary residency card, which includes options such as the Work residency card (LĐ2), Marriage residency card, or Investment residency card. Individuals with visas like marriage visa exemption, tourist visas, or business visas are ineligible to apply for a Vietnamese driving license. In simpler terms, holding any of these visas disqualifies you from meeting the qualifications for obtaining a Vietnamese driver’s license.

Once you have the Temporary Residency card in Vietnam, two pathways open up for securing a full driving license:

If you’re proficient in Vietnamese, you can enroll in driving lessons and proceed to undertake both theoretical and practical driving tests, applicable to both car and motorbike licenses.
For those not fluent in Vietnamese, possessing a valid car/motorbike driving license from your home country is essential. Depending on the category of your foreign license, Lynn’s Driving License will guide you through the process of obtaining a B1 license (for automatic cars), an A2 license (for motorbikes over 175CC), or an A1 license (for motorbikes up to 175CC).


The validity period of licenses like B1, A2, or A1 typically aligns with the duration of your Temporary Residency card. However, opting for an unlimited validity A2 license requires passing the theory test, while an A1 license with no time limit mandates undertaking the practical test.