As stated above, penalties for driving without insurance vary from state to state; however, a few of the most common penalties include: Having your driver's license suspended. Having your vehicle registration suspended. Receiving a traffic ticket for a no insurance violation. This is in addition to the traffic ticket (s) you receive for the
Your international driving permit (IDP) must be issued by the same country that issued your driver's licence. The permit verifies in several languages that you have a valid driver's licence. You may need an IDP to rent a car. An IDP is valid for 12 months and you must also carry your driver's licence from your home country.
During the first six months of you cannot drive from midnight until 5 a.m. unless you are driving between your home and work, between your home and a school event for which the school does not provide transportation, or for employment purposes. You may also drive at night if you are accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years of age.
Our online driving school is made for those on the go. Perfect for mobile, tablet, or desktop users. Study whenever you want, wherever you want. Available 24/7. Simple to do (and kind of fun) Select a state for pricing and details.
In 10 states, a single 20-year-old cannot legally have sex with a 17-year old. But in nearly every state, a 16-year-old can marry--if he has his parents' permission. (A handful of states allow
You will need create an account with any of the three driving centres below before you can book your BTT. Bookings can be done in person or online. Bukit Batok Driving Centre. 815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5, Singapore 659085. T: 1800 666 8888. ComfortDelGro Driving Centre. 205 Ubi Ave 4, Singapore 408805. T: 6841 8900, 6848 0617.
You can start learning to drive, but under special L-rules and conditions. Follow the rules and you're cool. Don't, and you'll get a fine, demerit points or lose your permit (be disqualified). With your L's you'll get a book called The Driving Companion. It's all in there - compulsory driving hours, choosing a qualified supervising driver or a
uwAZr2. Reading Time 6 minutes drive legally in Vietnam you need to have a motorbike license from home and an international driverâs permit. It is common and normal for people to drive without any license in Vietnam, and simple coffee money will deal with the police. However, if you go above 150cc then having all your documents by the book becomes more important. Please note, that Tigit will rent a 150cc and below motorbike without a license. But to rent above 150cc you need to have both a valid motorbike license and an international drivers petmit. Understanding the international driverâs permit An IDP/IDL, or international driverâs permit/international driverâs license is the same. The IDP is an agreement between countries to recognize each otherâs drivers licenses. Unfortunately, there are different versions of the IDP, the 1968 convention and 1949 convention. The wiki page for IDP has up-to-date information on which version each country belongs to. Vietnam belongs to the 1968 version. Australia and America belong to the 1949 version. Therefore it is not possible for Australians or Americans to drive legally in Vietnam. The police will help you when they are not helping themselves. Is it ok to drive in Vietnam illegally? The short answer is yes. Both locals and tourists have spent years driving Vietnam without any licenses. For a routine and normal holiday without any incidents this is fine. However, problems arise if you are caught up in a major crash, both for yourself and for the 3rd party that may be involved. If you are driving illegally in Vietnam, then any insurance you may have will be invalidated. Therefore you are on your own to negotiate or find a way out of whatever mess you find yourself in. This is a risk that needs to be considered before choosing to ride a motorbike in Vietnam. Australians and Americans / other countries not in the 1968 convention Unfortunately for these countries, it is not possible to drive legally in Vietnam. However, the police do not know about these conventions. It is still worth getting the international driverâs permit for your holiday. The issue arises if you are trying to claim on your insurance. If your insurance provider digs deep into the case, they may discover this loophole and your insurance could be invalidated. We have experience with the Australian insurance company 1cover paying out to Australians involved in crashes without asking any questions. Our advice is to email the insurance company. Explain everything transparently and clearly, and get a written log of them confirming they are happy to insure you while driving a motorbike in Vietnam. Where do I get an IDP? International drivers permits can only be obtained from within your home country. The process is cheap and easy. If you are already traveling it is technically not possible to get an IDP. There are services online that promise you an IDP. These can be used, but they are not real IDPâs. Again, this is fine, providing your insurance company doesnât go digging into the case. Can I rent without a valid license or IDP from Tigit? Through the Tigit booking platform, we make clients tick the box to confirm they have a license and an IDP. On 150cc and below we are relaxed, but we not rent to people above 150cc who do not have a license and international drivers permit. Crashing a Tigit Motorbike Unrelated to licenses and IDPâs, but Tigit has an optional damage waiver that can be paid for in advance. This removes all responsibilities to the driver for crash expenses. It has zero excess and is aimed at creating a seamless motorbike rental experience where we donât have to chase customers down for money at the end of the journey! Key information on licenses in Vietnam Not everyone has a driving license in Vietnam, but it will make life easier and safer if you do. Accidents can usually be resolved on the spot with police negotiations. Youâre at-home insurance will be void without a proper driving permit. Calculate this risk carefully into your travel plans. Tigit offers a damage waiver to remove you from paying for potential motorcycle damage. Canât I just bribe the police, why do I need an IDP? In short, yes. For nearly all minor infractions, it is possible to pay the police. Serious issues, though, is where the IDP comes in handy. For the police, presenting legal documentation will aid in keeping you out of trouble. From your insurance companyâs perspective, you will not be covered if you are doing something illegal. Like driving a motorcycle in Vietnam without a proper permit. If you were to get into an accident that requires an insurance payout, you would want to have all your documents in order. Insurance to motorbike in Vietnam As a foreigner traveling through Vietnam, you will not be able to purchase insurance locally that you can use. Local sellers or other rental agencies might offer to sell you a 3rd party yellow insurance paper. For you, this does nothing. To have the yellow insurance is merely a guideline in Vietnam, and you should not rely on it for anything. Before departing on your vacation, you will want to check with your local insurance agency about providing insurance for motorcycle rental within Vietnam. They will give you precise information on what they offer and how it might cover you in the event of a significant accident in Vietnam. Our recommendation for obtaining insurance 1. Get an international drivers permit. This makes you fine by Vietnamâs police standards. 2. Email an insurance company. Explain the story in detail. 3. If they agree to cover, then great 4. If you are Australian, go with the company 1cover 5. If you are from anywhere else in the world, go with ACS. Make sure you tick the box for âextreme sportsâ. Email with Australian insurance provider 1cover Thank you for your cover people medically when riding a motorbike if they have their full Australian driverâs licence they can ride a bike up to 50CC â providing they are following the road saftey laws over someone has their full Australian motor bike licence and it is accepted in Vietnam or if they also have their international licence we cover them medically whilst riding there is no limit on the engine do not cover the bike at all or for personal liability for the rider just cover them medically if they have the valid licence and are following the road safety laws. Email with Holiday Safe insurance I can confirm that we cover our travellers to ride a motorbike as standard, providing that they have the appropriate UK license and they are wearing the appropriate safety gear. Confident response apart from the very obvious ambiguous âappropriate safety gearâ ???? At least we tried at Tigit! What happens in a serious crash in Vietnam With a crash where either the traveler or local is injured, people from the area will quickly surround the crash scene out of curiosity. The police will then promptly show up and act as an on-the-spot investigator and judge. After their small investigation, they will decide who pays who what amounts. The police will then confiscate the motorbikes from both parties and use them as a ransom to force an agreement between those involved in the crash. It is here that you will usually find the police quite helpful. They typically aid in a reasonable negotiation between foreigners and Vietnamese. We recommend following police advice in regards to the cash needed to make the situation go away. Holding on to your morals of who caused the crash will not help you here. This is Vietnam, and this is the way things are done. Once all parties agree to walkway quietly, the police will then release the motorbikes. A little coffee money for minor problems is an efficient way to make any problem magically disappear. For Tigitâs help and assistance, it is important clients explain the full story accurately. It is common for travelers to âbend the truth,â which often contributes to digging big holes for all parties involved. It is easiest for travelers to fix the situation themselves. Police, like to deal with the vehicle driver directly and attempts to pawn the situation onto someone else, can delay in motorbike retrieval. Once again, if you are driving by the book and have an international driverâs permit and valid license then this will help when accidents occur. Useful resources International Drivers licenses are valid in Vietnam â UK source Gov website UK government announces a license + IDP is valid in Vietnam How to get an international drivers license â UK RAC Motorbike insurance for Australians â Motorbike insurance for Australians Motorbike insurance for UK citizens International / All other countries motorbike insurance Please feel free to contact us and provide any other sources, advice or information.
Recommended Posts Share Can't make a new license as the ministry is closed. Wonder what the penalty is for driving without a license these days? Wasn't there talk of making the penalty tougher? 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share Do you mean driving licence or licence plates? There is currently problem with issuing both. Driving licences don't have to be renewed until further notice. Driving without driving licence having issued one at all is usually 400 Baht. Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share From another thread. This is the latest news I am aware of Quote Jirut also added that the DLT would allow licences that had expired since January 2 to be temporarily valid during the period of the emergency decree and has accordingly notified Royal Thai Police Headquarters and Office of Insurance Commission to enforce related laws accordingly in case of police screening or insurance claims. So you are safe from prosecution or insurance denial in case of expired license. 2 Link to post Share on other sites Share From personal experience a few years ago now i got caught at a checkpoint one time. I had my IDP but had left it on the big bike and was on the scooter when I hit the checkpoint. Had to go inside an pay the ticket for driving without a license - 200 baht. Called my buddy, thinking he'd have to come pick up the scooter. He asked if I had the receipt from paying the ticket and then told me I was good to go and could ride around for a week without my license as long as I had that receipt. As it seems they are considering extending the Emergency Decree until the end of June now, you should be OK until then at least. The DLTs may open before then as well. Link to post Share on other sites Share With all the talk of opening the bars sooner than planned as things are so tickety-boo, I find it hard to understand why the DLT offices are still closed. Immigration, banks, shops, restaurants and now malls are all open, and implementing measures to protect their staff, so why is the DLT shut? Link to post Share on other sites Share Just make sure you have insurance. regards worgeordie 2 Link to post Share on other sites Share 5 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said Do you mean driving licence or licence plates? There is currently problem with issuing both. Driving licences don't have to be renewed until further notice. Driving without driving licence having issued one at all is usually 400 Baht. Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose. We had new car license plates issued last month and exchanged for the red plates. No problem. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 1 hour ago, Kerryd said From personal experience a few years ago now i got caught at a checkpoint one time. I had my IDP but had left it on the big bike and was on the scooter when I hit the checkpoint. Had to go inside an pay the ticket for driving without a license - 200 baht. Called my buddy, thinking he'd have to come pick up the scooter. He asked if I had the receipt from paying the ticket and then told me I was good to go and could ride around for a week without my license as long as I had that receipt. As it seems they are considering extending the Emergency Decree until the end of June now, you should be OK until then at least. The DLTs may open before then as well. "What Is The Penalty For Driving Without A License In Thailand? The penalty for driving a scooter in Thailand without a license is 1 000 Baht USD EUR, GBP." Link to post Share on other sites Share 10 minutes ago, andersonat said Under the old law, the maximum penalty was 1,000 baht. I believe that's what you could face if it went to court. It seems the Traffic Police can issue tickets for lesser amounts. In 2018 they were proposing to increase the maximum fine to 50,000. Not sure if that happened yet. Link to post Share on other sites Share Tell the copper your 12 years old, worked for my son, no problem. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 6 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said Do you mean driving licence or licence plates? There is currently problem with issuing both. Driving licences don't have to be renewed until further notice. Driving without driving licence having issued one at all is usually 400 Baht. Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose. Itâs only driving license that are affected. 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share Due to the virus, no fine until one week after licence registration reopens again. All the past experiences given are not applicable at this time. Keep your insurance valid is good advice Link to post Share on other sites Share 11 hours ago, FruitPudding said Wonder what the penalty is for driving without a license these days? I used to have a Thai licence, but found it cheaper NOT to have one! Just pay the BiB on the spot rather than waste time going to the police station, which will cost more. I will never forget the expression on the Thai policemanâs face when I told him he could keep the licence. Amazing Thailand. Edited May 21, 2020 by DaRoadrunner Link to post Share on other sites Popular Post Popular Post Share 1 minute ago, DaRoadrunner said I used to have a Thai licence but found it cheaper not to have one! Just pay the BiB on the spot rather than waste time going to the police station. Amazing Thailand. and if your involved in a serious accident and someone dies ? 3 Link to post Share on other sites Share 23 minutes ago, steven100 said and if your involved in a serious accident and someone dies ? Poster has very big savings 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 10 hours ago, KhunBENQ said Yes,but try to stay out of trouble. Link to post Share on other sites Share 1 hour ago, steven100 said and if your involved in a serious accident and someone dies ? Thai or farang you always pay! Even not your fold! Or go to court and watch what happen! Farang pay more! Edited May 21, 2020 by 2 is 1 Link to post Share on other sites Share 10 hours ago, KhunBENQ said At least up until a week after the lock-down is eased and the DLT reopens. 1 hour ago, DaRoadrunner said I used to have a Thai licence, but found it cheaper NOT to have one! Just pay the BiB on the spot rather than waste time going to the police station, which will cost more. the 'it won't happen to me' approach has caught plenty of people out in the past. It voids your insurance, you are on the road illegally etc etc... have an accident where someone is seriously hurt or killed and you could find yourself on a very sticky wicket. Link to post Share on other sites Share On Koh Samui it is 500 baht. That was two weeks ago. They are out pulling all tourists over demanding they show licence. I forgot my international licence that day and had to pay 500 tea money. It's lean times for the cops these days and they need to eat too. Edited May 21, 2020 by cheapcanuck Link to post Share on other sites Share 13 hours ago, AndyAndyAndy said Until you cause an accident, then all hell will break lose couldn't have said it better đ Link to post Share on other sites Share Link to post Share on other sites Share 15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said At least up until a week after the lock-down is eased and the DLT reopens. the 'it won't happen to me' approach has caught plenty of people out in the past. It voids your insurance, you are on the road illegally etc etc... have an accident where someone is seriously hurt or killed and you could find yourself on a very sticky wicket. It voids your losses. but covers the damage you caused, as in Drink or drugs etc. Link to post Share on other sites Create an account or sign in to comment You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Sign in Already have an account? Sign in here. Sign In Now
Without Driving Licence Fine The Challan You Need to Pay Under New Motor Vehicle Act for Driving Without a Licence There may be an instance where you end up breaking the traffic rules and regulations like not carrying a driving licence while driving a vehicle. In this scenario, a challan is issued against the person as a penalty for violating the traffic law. You can submit the challan for driving without a licence either offline or online. It is crucial to abide by the traffic rules, however, in case you have violated them, you are likely to face consequences or punishment according to the type of violation. Get complete details about the challan you need to pay under New Motor Vehicle Act for driving without a licence. What is Fine for Driving Without a Licence? According to the Motor Vehicle Act, driving a vehicle without a licence is a serious traffic violation and hence illegal in India. Lately, the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 has been amended as a result of which the traffic fines have been increased. Driving without a licence can now attract a fine up to Rs 5000 which was earlier only Rs 500. Along with this, the traffic police can also seize the vehicle. However, the penalty may vary from one state to another. In some states, driving without a licence can also draw a punishment of up to three months imprisonment. Without Driving Licence Fine in Different States The penalty for driving a vehicle without a valid licence was Rs 500 however, with the amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act, the challan for this traffic violation has been increased. The challan rates vary from one state to another and the table below illustrates the fines for some of the states States Traffic Fine Rs Uttrakhand 2500 Haryana 5000 Bihar 5000 Assam 5000 Delhi 5000 Punjab 5000 Karnataka 1000-5000 Uttar Pradesh 5000 Repercussions of Not Having a Licence While Driving According to the Motor Vehicle Act, it is mandatory for every motor vehicle driver to own a valid driving licence in India. In case a person is found driving a vehicle without a licence, he/she is likely to face the below-mentioned repercussions Fine/challan If you are caught driving without a licence in India, the traffic police may release a challan against your name. The challan issued by the local police needs to be submitted within the grace period. The challan can be paid offline at the traffic police station or online from the transport website of the state. Imprisonment Apart from the challan of up to Rs 5000, you can also draw a punishment of three months imprisonment. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, nobody is allowed to drive a vehicle on public roads without a driving licence. Parents or guardians can be punished if their children are found driving a vehicle on roads without a DL. Insurance Claims As per the Motor Vehicle Act, a person driving a vehicle without a licence cannot claim the insurance. If you caused an accident and were not carrying a DL, you are not eligible for third party claims. Any such insurance claims will be rejected by the insurance company and you are liable to pay the amount for the damage caused to the third party. Seizure of vehicle Your vehicle can also be seized by the traffic police if you are found driving without a valid licence or with an expired licence. You can only get hold of the vehicle by paying the fines to the concerned authorities. Any damage to the vehicle, while it is seized, is not covered by the insurance companies. Tips to Avoid Driving Without Licence Fine by Traffic Police A person while driving a vehicle should act responsibly and should follow all the traffic rules and regulations set up according to the Motor Vehicle Act. Traffic violations can be avoided and here are some tips to avoid the fines Always carry the driving licence and other vehicle-related documents Store e-copies of all your vehicle documents in DigiLocker or mParivahan app Do not carry an expired driving licence Renew the driving licence within the grace period
Things to know when driving in Vietnam Hitting the roads in Vietnam can be an unpredictable experience for many, including both local and foreign commuters â and that includes forgetting Vietnamâs traffic rules. Sometimes you might forget to turn on your indicator lights when making a turn, or accidentally leave your driving license at home before setting out on your motorbike. Knowing what to expect when being pulled over by a policeman for a traffic violation can sometimes help you resolve the situation smoothly. Here are the things that you need to know when driving in Vietnam, so you can travel with more confidence and ease. 1. Drivers need to bring their driving licenses and vehicle registration Image credit When driving in Vietnam, every driver is required to carry their driving license and vehicle registration. Failure to bring these documents will result in a penalty of VND100,000 to VND6,000,0000 ~ According to Vietnam traffic rules, drivers are required to bring the original versions of their driving licenses at all times, but exceptions can be accepted in 2 circumstances Your driving license is being held up at the police station for prior traffic violations you committed in the past but have not paid the penalties to retrieve yet. Your driving license is being kept at a financial institution for a financial proceeding. Under these circumstances, you can present a photocopied version of your driving license. 2. Your blood alcohol level cannot exceed 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres Image credit bactrack According to Vietnam traffic rules on drink driving , any drivers whose alcohol levels exceed 50mg/100ml of blood will face a fine from VND4,000,000 to VND5,000,000 ~ This means that you should keep a tight check on the level of alcohol you consume before driving anywhere â so carrying around a personal breathalyzer can be well worth its price. For more tips on how to have a good nhau-ing time without fear of committing traffic violations, check out our article here. 3. Commuters can record their encounters with traffic police officers Image credit According to Circular 67/2019/TT-BCAâs Vietnam traffic rules, commuters have the right to record, with their phones, cameras, or tape recorders, traffic police officers performing their roles. The purpose of this clause is to ensure that traffic police officers are performing their roles with transparency and effectiveness. 4. Police have the right to pull you over Image credit According to Circular 65/2012/TT-BCA, a traffic police officer has the right to pull you over when detecting a traffic violation on your part, either using their hands, a traffic stick, a speaker, a sign, or a barrier. When pulling you over, the traffic police officer is obliged to inform you immediately of your violations before asking you to present your driving license and vehicle registration. Take note that you do not have to present your personal documents before knowing your violations. 5. Traffic police officers are equipped with guns This car driver ignored the police officerâs motion for a traffic stop and purposefully drove forward while the officer was still in the way Image credit kinhtedothi According to Circular 65/2020/TT-BCA, starting from 5th August 2020, Vietnamese traffic police officers will be equipped with pistols, rifles, submachine guns, rubber bullets, tear gas pistols, paintball bullets, tear gas sprayers, electric batons, armor, as well as locks. These weapons are only used by traffic police officers when dealing with heightened threats from aggressive commuters. 6. Traffic police officers can disguise themselves as civilians to enforce traffic laws Some Grab drivers in Vietnam are undercover cops Image credit The Seattle Times Traffic police officers can disguise themselves as civilians to enforce traffic laws and keep traffic in order by observing the movements of a target to detect traffic violations, and then notifying another task force who are wearing uniforms. However, their disguise plans have to be approved beforehand by their management. One of the most commonly asked questions by both local and foreign commuters in Vietnam is whether itâs okay under Vietnam traffic rules for traffic police officers to disguise themselves to measure vehiclesâ speed or to observe commuters from a distance to check that they are following the rules of the road. The answer is yes, they can. 7. You have the right to defend yourself against a traffic ticket Image credit When youâre pulled over by a traffic police officer, cooperate with him and defend yourself against the traffic ticket in a civil manner. If you feel that the charges are unreasonable, you can choose not to sign it and argue your case with evidence, such as with a dash-cam video or with a witness. Do not use unreasonable force with a traffic police officer, which can make you end up with more charges. 8. Only traffic police in vehicles with patrol signage can pull you over Image credit There have been reports of cases in which commuters are deceived and robbed in the middle of the night or in the middle of nowhere by con artists masquerading as traffic police officers. To tell whether youâre being pulled over by real traffic police officers, check the color of their vehicles, which should be white and on which are printed with signs that say âTraffic Policeâ in English and also in Vietnamese, as CSGT CáșŁnh sĂĄt giao thĂŽng. Genuine traffic police vehicles should also bear traffic police flags and badges. 9. Traffic police officers have to bow and say thank you when pulling you over Image credit giaoducthoidai According to Circular 65/2020/TT-BCAâs Vietnam traffic rules, traffic police officers are obliged to bow and say hello and thank you when pulling a commuter over in order to show their goodwill. You have every right to question them if they donât follow this protocol when pulling you over. 10. Traffic police officers have to wear police labels and high-visibility reflective vests when engaged in road policing in the evening Image credit According to Circular 66/2012/TT-BCA, traffic police officers must wear their police cards when on duty as well as high-visibility reflective vests at night. This is to help commuters see that there are traffic police officers on duty, as well as to keep the officers safe. Every traffic police officer on duty must wear a police card proving their identity and title Image credit When youâre pulled over by traffic police officers who do not wear either of the above-mentioned items, you can ask them to prove their identity and authority before presenting any of your own personal documents as per their request. A police card must include a profile photo, name, rank, and serial number of the police officer Image adapted from 11. Police can prosecute you based on social media evidence Image credit LĂąm Tiáșżn According to Circular 65/2012/TT-BCA, which will take effect on 5th August, the police have the rights to investigate, verify, and prosecute commuters based on photos or videos shared on Facebook, Zalo, Youtube, or on anonymous tips. This means that if you were captured on a video clip or a photo running the red light, which later was shared on social media and caught the attention of the police, you should get ready to face the music. In such a situation, the policemen in charge of the locality where you were found committing the violations would investigate your identity and come knocking on your door in no time. So better be safe than sorry â drive carefully even if no cops are around, for yourself and for your fellow drivers. 12. You can pay traffic penalties online now Image adapted from Cá»ng Dá»ch VỄ CĂŽng Quá»c Gia From 1st July, Vietnamese commuters can pay traffic penalties online on Cá»ng Dá»ch VỄ CĂŽng Quá»c Gia, the governmentâs National Public Service Portal. This means that instead of going to the Vietnam State Treasury offices and getting into the queues to pay traffic penalties, commuters can now pay the penalties from home. This change in administrative procedure helps commuters save time and energy, as well as to enhance the governmentâs transparency in handling traffic violations. A summary infographic about traffic penalties for car drivers in Vietnam Image credit The Smart Local Vietnam A summary infographic about traffic penalties for motorcycle drivers in Vietnam Image credit The Smart Local Vietnam Traffic rules in Vietnam Vietnam is one of the most populous countries in the world, and home to an immensely high number of vehicles. Accidents happen every day, and traffic violations are aplenty. Whether you knowingly or unknowingly commit a traffic violation and are pulled over, itâs good to know the traffic rules in Vietnam, your rights, and the legal proceedings here so that you can confidently hit the road. Also check out Vietnamese commuters can pay penalties online Vietnamese policeman rescues stray dogs around Buon Ma Thuot Province Ho Chi Minh City hospital introduces cashless payments Ho Chi Minh City businesses use technology to access COVID-19-related risks 8 online grocery shopping services in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnamese student dressed up in uniform for online study Vietnam invents 2 testing technologies for COVID-19 Vietnamese students salute the flags online Cover image adapted from thu vien phap luat Enjoying The Smart Local Vietnam? Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more stories like this.
Disclaimer All listed costs, requirements, locations, and procedures are subject to change at any time pursuant with Vietnamese laws with little or no advance notice. You are encouraged to verify with the Department of Transportation in the city where you are located for the most up to date information. Table of Contents 1. Foreign Driver Licenses Are Not Valid in Vietnam 2. International Driver Permits A Grey Area 3. Requirements for a Vietnam Driverâs License 4. Getting Your Vietnam Driverâs License at the Department of Transportation 5. Department of Transportation Locations in Cities of Interest 6. Duration of Your Vietnam Driverâs License Limited to Your Visa or Work Permit 7. Renewing Your Vietnam Driverâs License 8. Using Agents to Process Your Paperwork 9. Recent Developments in Vietnamese Traffic Laws 10. Additional Tips for traveling by Car or Motorcycle in Vietnam If youâre staying for longer than 3 months, it is advisable to arrange your own transportation rather than using taxis or Grab for the duration of your stay, as many short-term tourists do. The time and cost investment involved in the process of acquiring a driverâs license in Vietnam tilts in favor of getting one the longer you plan to live in Vietnam. If you do want to drive a vehicle in Vietnam, be it a motorbike or a car, you are obligated by law to get a driverâs license in Vietnam. Not only is it illegal to drive without a valid driverâs license issued in Vietnam, but it also is safer for you and everyone else. One important thing to remember is that, without a valid driverâs license, your health insurance may not cover you in case of an accident. Think twice before you drive without the appropriate paperwork! It should also be noted that driving a motorbike in Vietnam naturally carries more physical risks to yourself than driving a car. However, driving a car has risks of its own. For example, if you get in an accident where the other party was driving a motorbike, they could be seriously injured or worse. Even if you were not at fault, you may still get the blame for the accident no matter how much you might plead your case with the local police. Source If you plan to operate a motorbike larger than 50cc or drive a car, you are required to obtain a valid driverâs license. This guide explains how to do so. 1. Foreign Driver Licenses Are Not Valid in Vietnam Canât we just use our driverâs license from our own home country and call it a day? The answer is generally no. We are aware of two exceptions which both are temporary and limited in nature. These two exceptions are ASEAN Driving Licenses and International Driving Permits governed by 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. A driverâs license from any of the other ASEAN member nations has a limited validity in Vietnam. Of course, even if ASEAN driverâs licenses may be recognized in certain circumstances as valid in Vietnam, it is still best to obtain a local Vietnamese driverâs license as soon as you can. Fortunately, the solution to this is quite easy. You can âconvertâ your home countryâs license to a local Vietnamese driverâs license. How long this takes depends on whether your driverâs license already allows you to operate a car or a motorcycle in your home country. If your home countryâs license already allows you to drive a car or a motorcycle, you can convert it to a Vietnamese driverâs license without needing to take a driving test. However, if that isnât the case, you will need to pass a practical driving test. 2. International Driver Permits A Grey Area Vietnam is a member of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. This means that if your IDP is governed by that 1968 convention, it has a limited validity in Vietnam. However, throughout recent years, we have heard of cases of traffic police telling foreigners that their IDPs governed by the 1968 convention are not valid. The argument for using an IDP is that it can be a decent short-term solution until you get your papers in order for a local driverâs license. A valid 1968 IDP coupled with local insurance may be helpful in getting coverage in case of an accident. IDP is never valid in your country of residence. Therefore an IDP is at most a temporary solution and you need to get a local DL as early as possible. However, an IDP is convertible to a local Vietnamese driver license and therefore a practical tool to make the process of acquiring a local Driving license easier. Related reading More information on IDPs from a foreign-run motorbike rental company. 3. Requirements for a Vietnam Driving License The requirements you need to apply for a Vietnam driverâs license are as follows Required documents* One copy of your passport with the photo page and the visa page both visa and passport must be valid. One copy of your home countryâs driver license, with a translated and notarized version you would need to take it to a public notary first. Three passport size photos approximately 4 cm x 3 cm. Completed application formapplication form verify that this form is up to date before filling it out. 135,000 VND about $6 USD for processing fee. Source Vietnam Visa Immigration *Check with the local Department of Transportation since the rules are different in each major city or province. Cost The total cost will be up to but rarely more than 500,000 VND about $22 USD, which includes notarization, translation, photos, and licence fees. New law as of 2020 Minimum visa duration required in order to get a Vietnamese driverâs license is 3 months. In other words, if you only have a 1-month tourist visa, you will not be able to obtain a driverâs license in which case, it probably would not be worth the time investment anyway. 4. Getting Your Vietnam Driving License at the Department of Transportation When you have all the required documents, visit the nearest Department of Transportation in your location. Once you hand in your documents, they will request to take a head photo of you for the driverâs license. After getting your photo taken, they will make copies of all your documents and return the originals to you. This will be about a 15-20 minute wait if itâs not a busy day at the office. You will also pay a 30,000 VND processing fee. They may ask you to come back at a later date about 5 to 10 business days to pick up your new license, or give you the option to have it shipped to your address. They will give you a receipt that you will need to present to the office when you pick it up, or to the courier if you chose to have it shipped. If they inform you that you need to take a practical driving test, the motorbike driving test is only 15 minutes and quite easy. In most cases, you would not need to take a written theory test if you already have a driverâs license from your home country. Source If you do not know how to speak Vietnamese, taking a local friend with you to translate will definitely make the process smoother. It should also be noted that a car driving test may be more complex and take more time, especially if you are used to driving automatics, as many cars in Vietnam are manual. 5. Department of Transportation Locations in Major Cities The following are addresses and locations in the four major cities of Vietnam where expats can apply for their driverâs licenses. Hue â 10 Phan Boi Chau, Vinh Ninh, Hue Da Nang â 24 Duong Tran Phu, Thach Thang, Hai Chau Ho Chi Minh City Saigon â 63 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Hanoi â 2 Duong Phung Hung, Van Quan, Ha Dong, Ha Noi 6. Duration of Your Vietnam Driving License Limited to Your Visa or Work Permit The process of getting a driverâs license in Vietnam is straightforward and usually takes about two weeks provided you have all the required documents. However, one important thing to be aware of is that the expiration date on your driverâs license will be limited to the duration of your visa, residency permit, work permit, or the expiration date on your home countryâs license, whichever is the shortest. For example, suppose the driverâs license from your home country doesnât expire in five years, and your work permit is valid for two years from todayâs date. However, your visa limits your stay to only one year. In this case, your Vietnam driverâs license will have an expiry date that matches the date your visa expiresâin other words, it will only be valid for one year. If you have a visa that is valid for 3 months, your driverâs license will only be valid up to the end of that 3-month visa. This means that if you renew your visa, you will also have to renew your driverâs license. There is a possible exceptionâthough it is not clear whether it is still being put into practice In some government offices or with some agents, you may be able to get a lifetime driverâs license as a foreigner, but you would have to pass the theory test in Vietnamese. Rules likely differ from province to province. 7. Renewing Your Vietnam Driving License Fortunately, renewing your driverâs license is very easy. Each time you will only need to submit your old Vietnamese driverâs licence and your new visa, and pay for the new licence. In some cases, they may request to see your driverâs license from your home country, in which case itâs straightforward to show them the original and a certified copy provided it has not already expired. 8. Using Agents to Process Your Paperwork You have the option to use an agent if you canât read or speak Vietnamese. For a little extra money roughly $40-70 USD, you can have an agent process the paperwork on your behalf. They will handle the certification and notarization on your copies of your driverâs license, and fill out the application on your behalf. You would still need to arrive at the Department of Transportation office to get a photo taken, return roughly a week later to pick up your new license, and pay the 30,000 VND license processing fee about $ USD. If you donât want to use an agent or pay extra for their services, you can still take a trusted local with you to translate. 9. Recent Developments in Vietnamese Traffic Laws In the past several months, Vietnam has been passing many new laws effective this year and traffic rules are no exception. 1. Zero tolerance for drunk driving Vietnam is taking drunk driving very seriously. In light of a recent spate of road accidents throughout 2019, 40% of which alcohol was a factor according to WHO, Vietnam recently passed the Law on Preventing Alcohol Harmful Effects effective Jan 1, 2020. Under the tough law, if caught driving with influence of alcohol, motorbike drivers and car drivers not only face fines of $258-345 USD and and $1,292-1,723 USD respectively, but may also have their driverâs licenses suspended for up to two years. 2. Using earphones while driving is prohibited Another new traffic rule is the prohibition of earphones use while driving. If caught using earphones while driving, you may face the following fines 1 to 2 million VND about $45-90 USD. Your driverâs license may be suspended from 1 to 3 months, or up to 4 months if there was a traffic accident involved. 10. Additional Tips for traveling by Car or Motorcycle in Vietnam Wear a helmet if you ride a motorbike Follow the traffic laws in Vietnam to the best of your ability. Drive with a valid license, obey traffic lights, use turn signals, and use the proper lanes. Most importantly, wear a helmet while riding a motorbike! DOT certified full-face helmets provide the best protection. Be aware that most helmets sold in Vietnam donât provide much, if any, protection in the event of a crash. If you donât have a DOT helmet, wear a similar one as locals do as itâs better than nothing. Besides, it is virtually guaranteed that the police will pull you over if you drive without a helmet. Instead of driving a car, you have the option of hiring a full-time driver If you arenât confident in navigating the chaotic traffic on Vietnamese roads or communicating with the police if anything goes wrong, you have the option of hiring a local to drive for you on a full-time basis. Vietnam has plenty of people offering a car and a full-time driver as a packaged service, and many expats take advantage of this. This is a great way to shield yourselves from the financial, legal, and physical risks of driving yourselves in Vietnam. In addition, GRAB taxis are available and work very well in most cities. Relax and enjoy! Finally, when youâre on the roadârelax, obey the laws, and enjoy! The traffic and roundabouts may get some getting used to, but soon enough you will enjoy what Vietnam has to offer outside of the tourist districts!
penalty for driving in vietnam without license
