Tiếng ViệtI. CONVERTING FOREIGN DRIVER’S LICENSE TO USE IN VIETNAM
Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 41 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT:
“Article 41. Procedures for converting foreign driver’s license
- The applicant shall prepare 1 set of documents and send it directly to the General Department of Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (where he/she has registered for temporary or permanent residence). The set includes:
- a) An application for conversion of driver’s license (for Vietnamese people, use the form provided in Appendix 19 issued with this Circular, for foreigners, use the form specified in Appendix 20 issued with this Circular);
- b) The translation of the foreign driver’s license into Vietnamese with guaranteed quality by the Notary Public or Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, sealedon adjoining edges of pages with a copy of the license; in case of detecting any suspicion, the driver’s license-issuing agency shall request the embassy or consulate of the country issuing the driver’s license in Vietnam to verify;
- c) Copy of passport (must include the pages providing passport number, full name and photo of the granted person, expiry date and visa entry into Vietnam), ID card or Citizen identification card, diplomatic or service ID card issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or copy of temporary or permanent residence card, papers verifying permanent residence in Vietnam for foreigners; In case of detecting any suspicion, the license-issuing agency shall send a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security, the Immigration Department of the provincial/municipal public security to verify.
When coming to carry out the procedure for converting a driver’s license, the driver must come in person and take a photo directly at the issuing agency and must produce the original of the above-mentioned documents (except for the originals sent) for compare.”
Therefore, if you are a foreigner, you have to prepare a set of documents, send it directly to the Vietnam Road Administration or the Department of Transport. The set includes:
– Application for converting the driver’s license (for foreigners using the form in Appendix 19 issued with Circular 12/2017 / TT-BGTVT)
– The translation of the foreign driver’s license into Vietnamese with quality guaranteed by the Notary Public or Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, sealed on adjoining edges of pages with a copy of the license;
– Copy of passport (must include the pages providing passport number, full name and photo of the granted person, expiry date and visa entry into Vietnam), ID card
When coming to carry out the procedure for converting the driver’s license, the driver must take a photo directly at the issuing agency and produce the original of the above-mentioned documents (except for the originals sent) for comparison.
II. CONVERTING VIETNAMESE DRIVER’S LICENSE TO INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE
In order to convert international driver’s license, you must be a Vietnamese citizen having the desire to be allowed to drive without retesting for a driver’s license when traveling, visiting relatives, studying abroad, going on short-term business trips, etc.in foreign countries.
Nowadays, when the demands for tourism, living and settling abroad of the Vietnamese are increasing, the conversion of international driver’s licenses is not too unfamiliar. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) issues specific regulations and conditions to bring the most accurate information for people to follow.
The conditions for conversion of international driver’s license
An international driver’s license is essentially a set of documents certified and issued by the International Automobile Association, allowing owners to drive in different countries.
The form of an international driver’s license is similar to those of your passport, shown in different languages, available in 192 countries and territories around the world.
However, this type of license is only valid when traveling, visiting relatives, traveling, short-term switches, etc. and absolutely not used for those who want to settle down abroad. Any Vietnamese citizen having the above demands can apply for the procedures of converting international driver’s license.
Documents required to make the conversion
When eligible to convert international driver’s license in accordance with the law, you can go to the competent agencies and submit documents including the following documents:
- A valid Vietnamese driver’s license
- A valid passport or identity card;
- 3×4 photo;
- Signature of the license’s holder
- Measurements: Height, weight, eye color.
During the application and implementation process, you must also provide the original documents for the agency to review and then pay online fees and charges via the online payment gateway. Once the documents are verified, you will receive notification and then the license will be sent to your address after 5 to 10 days.
The expiry date for an international driver’s license is 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years depending on the needs and purposes and when you register at the international driver’s license conversion agency.
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