Who Is Eligible to Convert a Foreign Driver's License into a Vietnamese PET Card?
If you are a foreigner living in Vietnam and want to drive legally, you have likely discovered that an International Driving Permit (IDP) alone is not sufficient for long-term use. The solution is converting your home country's driver's license into a Vietnamese PET card. However, the application process involves specific residency thresholds, certified translations, and health checks that can confuse even experienced expats. This guide breaks down the official requirements under Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA and recent updates, so you can prepare your dossier correctly the first time.
What Are the Official Eligibility Requirements for Foreigners?
According to Article 24 of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA, foreign nationals residing, working, or studying in Vietnam may convert their foreign national driver's license if they meet specific conditions .
- Valid foreign national license: Your home country's driver's license must still be within its validity period. Temporary licenses, International Driving Permits (IDPs), expired licenses, torn or erased licenses, and licenses not issued by a competent authority are not eligible for conversion .
- Proof of legal residence in Vietnam: You must hold one of the following documents showing a residence period of 3 months or more: diplomatic identity card, official duty identity card, temporary residence card (thẻ tạm trú), or permanent residence card (thẻ thường trú) .
- Health certificate: You must provide a valid health certificate from a qualified medical facility. However, an exception exists: foreigners converting their license according to the validity period stated in their entry visa or temporary residence card may be exempt from the health certificate requirement .
Required Documents Checklist for the Application Dossier
Based on Article 24, Clause 2 of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA and official provincial police guidance, the complete dossier includes :
- Application form for driver's license conversion: For foreigners, use the form specified in Appendix XIII of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA
- Certified Vietnamese translation of your foreign driver's license: The translation must be certified for translation quality by a Vietnamese notary public or a Vietnamese diplomatic mission abroad where the translator works. The certification stamp must be affixed across the translation and a copy of the license (đóng dấu giáp lai)
- Valid health certificate for drivers: Issued by a medical facility qualified under Vietnamese law. Exception: Foreigners converting according to their visa or temporary residence card period are exempt
- Certified copy of one of the following residence documents: Diplomatic identity card, official duty identity card, temporary residence card, or permanent residence card with 3+ months validity
- Copy of passport: Including the page with your personal details, photo, and the page with your valid Vietnamese visa
Official Form Field-by-Field Translation and Breakdown
The application form for foreigners is provided in Appendix XIII of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA. Here is a complete breakdown of the key fields you will encounter:
| Field | Vietnamese Label | English Meaning | What to Enter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Họ và tên | Full name | Your full legal name as it appears on your passport |
| 2 | Ngày, tháng, năm sinh | Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY format |
| 3 | Quốc tịch | Nationality | Your country of citizenship |
| 4 | Số hộ chiếu | Passport number | Your passport number |
| 5 | Địa chỉ cư trú tại Việt Nam | Residential address in Vietnam | Your registered temporary or permanent address |
| 6 | Giấy phép lái xe nước ngoài số | Foreign driver's license number | The license number as printed on your foreign license |
| 7 | Cơ quan cấp | Issuing authority | The authority that issued your foreign license |
| 8 | Ngày cấp | Date of issue | The issue date on your foreign license |
| 9 | Thời hạn sử dụng | Validity period | The expiration date on your foreign license |
| 10 | Lý do xin đổi | Reason for conversion request | State the reason (e.g., residing and working in Vietnam) |
Step-by-Step Submission Procedure
According to official guidance from the Dong Nai Provincial Police and the National Public Service Portal, the procedure is as follows :
- Prepare the complete dossier with all documents listed in the checklist above. Ensure your foreign license translation is certified with a cross-seal (dấu giáp lai) .
- Submit your application in person at the Traffic Police Department (Phòng CSGT) of the province or city where you are registered for residence, or at the commune-level police office . You may also submit by postal service to the receiving authority .
- Bring original documents for comparison when submitting. The receiving officer will verify your originals against the copies .
- Get photographed on-site at the license issuing agency. Your photo will be taken directly by the receiving officer for the PET card .
- Pay the fee upon acceptance of your dossier. Complete the fee obligation when your application is received .
- Wait for processing. The standard processing time is 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier .
- Receive your Vietnamese PET card at the receiving office or through postal delivery service if requested .
Copyable Cover Letter Template for Submission
While not always strictly required, a cover letter can help streamline your submission. Replace all bracketed variables with your actual information:
COVER LETTER FOR FOREIGN DRIVER'S LICENSE CONVERSION
===================================================== Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] To: Traffic Police Department (Phòng CSGT) [Province/City Name] [Full Address of Police Department] Subject: Request for Conversion of Foreign Driver's License to Vietnamese PET Card Dear Sir/Madam, I, [Applicant Full Name], holder of passport number [Passport Number]
issued by [Issuing Country], currently residing at [Full Address in Vietnam], hereby respectfully request the conversion of my foreign driver's license
into a corresponding Vietnamese driver's license (PET card). My foreign driver's license details:
- License Number: [Foreign License Number]
- Issuing Authority: [Issuing Authority]
- Date of Issue: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Validity Period: [DD/MM/YYYY to DD/MM/YYYY]
- License Class: [Class, e.g., B2, C, etc.] My residence status in Vietnam:
- Document Type: [Temporary Residence Card / Permanent Residence Card / Diplomatic ID / Official Duty ID]
- Valid Until: [DD/MM/YYYY] Attached to this letter, please find:
1. Application form (Appendix XIII, Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA)
2. Certified Vietnamese translation of my foreign driver's license
3. Valid health certificate (if applicable)
4. Certified copy of residence document
5. Copy of passport (personal details page and visa page) I certify that the information provided above is true and correct to
the best of my knowledge. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, [Signature]
[Applicant Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Common Mistakes and Rejection Warnings
Based on official guidance, here are the most frequent errors that lead to rejection or delays :
- Submitting an International Driving Permit (IDP): IDPs and temporary licenses are not eligible for conversion. Only your home country's national driver's license qualifies .
- Insufficient residence validity: Your temporary residence card or visa must show a validity period of 3 months or more. A tourist visa will not qualify you for conversion .
- Uncertified translation: The Vietnamese translation of your foreign license must be certified by a notary public or Vietnamese diplomatic mission, with the certification stamp crossing over the translation and a copy of the license .
- Damaged or illegible license: If your foreign license is torn, erased, or has unclear photo identification, the application will be rejected .
- Expired foreign license: Your home country's license must be valid at the time of application .
- Missing health certificate: Unless you qualify for the exemption based on visa/temporary residence card period, a valid health certificate from a qualified medical facility is mandatory .
Official Processing Time, Fees, and Submission Locations
Processing Time
The standard processing time is 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier .
Fees
Based on Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC, effective from January 1, 2026, the fee for issuing, converting, or reissuing a driver's license (both national and international) is 115,000 VND per time .
Submission Locations
- Traffic Police Department (Phòng CSGT) of the province or city where you are registered for residence
- Commune-level police office where you have registered your temporary or permanent residence
- National Public Service Portal (dichvucong.gov.vn) for online submission where available
- Provincial Department of Transport (Sở Giao thông vận tải) in certain localities
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my International Driving Permit (IDP) into a Vietnamese driver's license?
No. International Driving Permits (IDPs) and temporary foreign driver's licenses are explicitly excluded from conversion eligibility under Article 24 of Circular 12/2025/TT-BCA. You must use your home country's national driver's license to apply for conversion .
How long must my Vietnamese residence document be valid for license conversion?
Your temporary residence card, permanent residence card, diplomatic identity card, or official duty identity card must show a validity period of 3 months or more at the time of application .
Am I required to submit a health certificate for driver's license conversion?
It depends on your situation. A valid health certificate is generally required. However, if you are converting your license according to the validity period stated in your entry visa or temporary residence card, you are exempt from the health certificate requirement .
How long does the driver's license conversion process take?
The standard processing time is 5 working days from the date the receiving authority accepts your complete and valid dossier .
What is the fee for converting a foreign driver's license in Vietnam?
The fee for issuing, converting, or reissuing a driver's license is 115,000 VND per time, effective from January 1, 2026 under Circular 154/2025/TT-BTC .