You've decided to get a proper Vietnamese motorbike license. You have your TRC, you're ready to study, and then you walk into the training center only to discover that the theory exam is entirely in Vietnamese — and there's no English option. Or you're told your Temporary Residence Card needs at least 3 months of validity remaining, but yours expires next month.
The process for obtaining an A1 or A2 license as a foreigner in Vietnam is straightforward on paper. In practice, the language barrier and specific residency requirements trip up most expats. This guide breaks down the exact documents, the two pathways to a Vietnamese motorbike license, the field-by-field translation of the application form, and the critical mistakes that cause rejection.
Two Ways to Get a Vietnamese Motorbike License
Foreigners in Vietnam can obtain a motorbike license through two distinct pathways. The one you choose depends on whether you already hold a valid motorbike license from your home country .
- License Conversion (Đổi giấy phép lái xe): If you hold a valid foreign motorbike license, you can convert it to a Vietnamese license without taking a theory or practical exam. This is the fastest and most common option for expats. However, you must hold a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) — tourist and business visas do not qualify .
- Take the Vietnamese Driving Test: If you do not have a foreign motorbike license, or if you prefer to go through the full process, you can enroll at a driver training center and take the theory and practical exams. The theory exam is conducted in Vietnamese, so basic Vietnamese reading ability is required .
Eligibility Requirements: What You Must Have Before Applying
Before you visit any training center or submit any documents, verify you meet these conditions.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old as of the exam date for A1 and A2 categories .
- Residency: You must be legally residing, working, or studying in Vietnam. Your Temporary Residence Card, Permanent Residence Card, or other residence document must have at least 3 months of validity remaining .
- Health: You need a driver's health examination certificate issued by a qualified medical institution in Vietnam .
- Language: For the testing pathway, you must be able to read and understand Vietnamese, as the theory exam is only available in Vietnamese .
Required Documents for License Conversion (Expats with Foreign License)
If you are converting a valid foreign motorbike license to a Vietnamese license, this is the document checklist based on Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT and provincial Department of Transport procedures .
- Application form for exchange of driver's license (Đơn đề nghị đổi giấy phép lái xe) — follows the form in Appendix 20, Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT. Available at the Department of Transport or from the training center .
- Certified Vietnamese translation of your foreign driver's license — the translation must be certified by a Vietnamese notary office or by the Embassy/Consulate where the translator works. The translation must be stamped with a seal on the photocopy of the license .
- Certified copy of your passport — including the page with your full name, photograph, passport number, expiry date, and the page with your valid Vietnamese visa or entry stamp .
- Copy of your Temporary Residence Card, Permanent Residence Card, or other residence document — showing at least 3 months of remaining validity .
- 01 color photo, 3cm x 4cm — taken within the last 6 months, ID-style with blue background .
Submission location: Department of Transport (Sở Giao thông vận tải) of the province or city where you reside .
Processing time: Not more than 5 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier .
Fee: The official fee for license exchange is 135,000 VND per issuance .
Required Documents for Taking the Vietnamese Driving Test
If you are enrolling in a driving training center to take the full exam, you need to submit this set of documents directly to the training institution .
- Application form for learning and taking the driving license exam — follows Appendix 7, Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT. Available at the training center .
- Copy of passport valid for at least 6 months
- Copy of Temporary Residence Card, Permanent Residence Card, diplomatic ID, or official ID — showing at least 3 months of validity
- Driver's health examination certificate — issued by a qualified medical institution in Vietnam
- 03 portrait photos, 2cm x 3cm — taken within the last 6 months
Copyable Cover Letter for License Conversion Application
Use this template when submitting your license conversion application to the Department of Transport. Replace bracketed placeholders with your information.
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] To: Department of Transport (Sở Giao thông vận tải)
[Province/City Name]
[Address of Department] RE: Application for Exchange of Foreign Driver's License to Vietnamese License Dear Sir/Madam, I, [Full Name as in Passport], holder of passport number [Passport Number], nationality [Nationality], currently residing at [Full Address in Vietnam] under Temporary Residence Card number [TRC Number] valid until [TRC Expiry Date], hereby submit this application for exchange of my foreign driver's license to a Vietnamese driver's license. Details of my foreign driver's license:
- Country of Issue: [Country]
- License Number: [License Number]
- Category: [A1 / A2 / A]
- Date of Issue: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Expiry Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Issuing Authority: [Authority Name] I request conversion to Vietnamese license category: [A1 / A2 / A] Enclosed documents:
1. Application form for exchange of driver's license
2. Certified Vietnamese translation of my foreign driver's license
3. Certified copy of passport (including visa/entry stamp page)
4. Copy of Temporary Residence Card
5. 01 color photo (3cm x 4cm, blue background, taken within 6 months) I certify that all information provided in this application and attached documents is correct and true. Sincerely,
[Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
License Categories: A1 vs. A2 (and the New A Category)
Vietnam's motorbike license categories determine what you are legally allowed to ride .
| License Category | Engine Displacement | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 50cc to under 125cc | City driving, standard scooters |
| A2 | 125cc to under 175cc | Larger motorcycles (older classification) |
| A (New) | Over 125cc | Replaces A2 under new regulations |
Exam Content and Fees (Testing Pathway)
If you are taking the full driving test, here is what to expect and what it costs.
Theory Exam
The A1 theory exam consists of 21 questions, and you must answer at least 21 out of 25 correctly (the exact format may vary by center). The A2 theory exam consists of 26 questions, with a passing score of 26 out of 30. The exam covers road traffic laws, traffic signs, and practical skills. The theory exam is conducted in Vietnamese .
Practical Exam
The practical test requires you to operate a motorcycle through four test courses in sequence: figure 8, straight line, obstacle course, and rough road. You need a score of 80 out of 100 to pass .
Official Fees
- Theory exam fee: 60,000 VND per attempt
- Practical exam fee: 70,000 VND per attempt
- License issuance fee: 135,000 VND
Note: Training centers charge additional fees for instruction, vehicle rental, and administrative processing. These fees vary by institution — verify the full cost with your chosen center before enrolling.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
1. TRC with Insufficient Validity
Your Temporary Residence Card must have at least 3 months of validity remaining at the time of application. A TRC expiring sooner will result in immediate rejection .
2. Missing Certified Translation
For license conversion, your foreign driver's license must be translated into Vietnamese and the translation must be certified by a notary office or Embassy/Consulate. An uncertified translation will not be accepted .
3. Assuming the Theory Exam is Available in English
The theory exam for the testing pathway is conducted in Vietnamese. There is no official English-language option for the exam itself . If your Vietnamese reading ability is limited, the license conversion pathway (if you have a foreign license) is the better option.
4. Confusing Tourist Visa with TRC
Tourist and business visas do not qualify for a Vietnamese driver's license. You must hold a Temporary Residence Card (or equivalent long-term residence document) with at least 3 months of validity .
5. Using an Uncertified Health Certificate
Your driver's health examination certificate must be issued by a qualified medical institution in Vietnam. A health certificate from your home country is not accepted for the testing pathway .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get a Vietnamese motorbike license?
Yes. Foreigners legally residing, working, or studying in Vietnam with a Temporary Residence Card or equivalent residence document valid for at least 3 months can obtain a Vietnamese motorbike license, either by converting a valid foreign license or by taking the Vietnamese driving test .
What is the difference between A1 and A2 motorbike licenses in Vietnam?
The A1 license covers motorcycles from 50cc to under 125cc. The A2 license covers motorcycles from 125cc to under 175cc. Under recent regulatory updates, the A2 category is being replaced by a new "A" license for motorcycles over 125cc .
Do I need to take a test to convert my foreign motorbike license to a Vietnamese license?
No. If you hold a valid foreign motorbike license, you can convert it to a Vietnamese license without taking a theory or practical exam. You submit the application with your certified translation, passport copy, TRC copy, and photo to the Department of Transport .
How much does it cost to get a Vietnamese motorbike license?
The official government fees are: 60,000 VND for the theory exam (if testing), 70,000 VND for the practical exam (if testing), and 135,000 VND for license issuance. Training centers charge additional fees for instruction and processing, which vary by institution .
How long does it take to get a Vietnamese motorbike license by conversion?
The processing time for license conversion is not more than 5 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier at the Department of Transport .