ORDER, PROCEDURES FOR CONVERTING DRIVING LICENSE OF FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

Because of the nature of work, not everyone has the conditions and time to study and take the driver's license test in a new country. Therefore, the need to change foreign driver's license to Vietnam is becoming more and more popular. So what is the current Vietnamese law on converting driving licenses of foreigners in Vietnam? Find out with OTIS LAWYERS in the article below!    

Legal basis

Circular No.12/2017/TT-BGTVT regulations on driver training, driving tests and issuance of driving licenses for road motor vehicles

Circular No. 188/2016/TT-BTC dated November 08, 2016, on collection, payment, management and use of fees and charges for driving tests; issue of driving licenses and certificates of operation of means of transport, registration and issue of specialized motorcycle license plate number

Circular No. 38/2019/TT-BGTVT dated October 8, 2019 on amendments to Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT on driver training, driving tests and issuance of driving licenses for road motor vehicles

Conditions for converting driving licenses of foreigners in Vietnam

Pursuant to Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGTVT, a foreigner may change to a corresponding Vietnamese driving license in the following cases:

– Foreigners who have an international or national driving license and stay in Vietnam for 3 months or more, including foreigners operating vehicles registered abroad to enter Vietnam.

– Tourists who have a car or license issued abroad move to Vietnam.

– Vietnamese who have been granted a driving license abroad want to return to Vietnam for more than 3 months and then go abroad again or decide to stay in Vietnam.

Note: All international or national driving licenses must be valid.

Driving license cannot be changed for the following cases

- Temporary foreign driver's license;

– International driving license;

- The foreign driver's license has expired according to regulations; erased, torn, no longer have all the necessary elements to change the driver's license; or there is a difference in identity;

– Foreign driving license not issued by a competent authority;

– Vietnamese have a foreign driver's license and have stayed abroad for less than 3 months; and the length of stay is not consistent with the driver's training period of the country where the driver's license is issued;

- Persons who do not meet the prescribed health standards.

Expiry date of Vietnam driving license for foreigners

– Expiry date of Vietnam driving license for foreigners: In accordance with the time limit stated in the entry visa or temporary residence card; in accordance with the term of use of the foreign driving license but not exceeding the time limit specified by the Vietnamese driving license;

– Validity period of Vietnam driving license for foreign tourists, foreign registered drivers entering Vietnam: In accordance with the travel time in Vietnam (from entry to exit); but do not exceed the time limit specified by the Vietnamese driving license.

Cost of changing to Vietnam foreign driving license

According to the provisions of Circular 188/2016/TT-BTC, the fee for re-issuance and convert driving licenses of foreigners is 135,000 VND/time. In addition, foreigners also need to pay some costs incurred when making documents such as:

- Expenses for medical examination;

– The cost of taking photos of the card;

- Cost of photocopies, authentication of documents...

Dossier for changing to Vietnam driving license

The dossier includes:

– An application for change of driving license (Under the form specified in Appendix 20 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT);

– License (Vietnamese translation is guaranteed with translation quality; stamped border on copy of driving license);

– A copy of ID card//Passport… which is still valid (with the original for comparison);

- Health certificate issued by district general hospital within the past 6 months.

Order and procedures for changing to Vietnam driving license

Step 1: Make a dossier

Foreigners who request to convert their driving license to Vietnam must make a set of documents according to the regulations mentioned above

Step 2: Submit your application

Applicants file at the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport (where registered for residence, stay, temporary residence or permanent residence); or by post (for foreign tourists driving into Vietnam).

Step 3: Check dossier

The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport shall check the documents upon receipt.

In case the application is not in accordance with regulations, notify directly/in writing of the contents that need to be supplemented or amended within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the application.

Step 4: Wait for the resolution and receive the result

Within 05 working days from the day on which the complete application is received, the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam or the Department of Transport shall change the driving license. In case the driver's license is not changed, a reply must be given and clearly stated the reason.

When coming to receive the driver's license, the driver presents the originals of the above documents (except for the originals sent) for comparison. Pay the driver license renewal fee as prescribed.

For any questions or comments, please contact:

OTIS AND PARTNERS LAW FIRM

Office address: K28 - Group K, Lane 68 Trung Kinh, Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi

Email: info@otislawyers.vn

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