If foreign tourists have driver's licenses in their residence country, can they change it to Vietnamese driver's licenses?
I have friends who are foreign tourists. He have a driver's license in his country, now going to Vietnam to travel, can he be considered for changing to a Vietnamese driver's license for convenience? What does the aplication and procedure for changing driver's license in Vietnam comprise?
If foreign tourists have driver's licenses in their residence country, can they change it to Vietnamese driver's licenses?
Pursuant to Clause 5, Article 37 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT regulating the subject of driver license renewal as follows:
5. Subjects eligible for renewal of driving license:
...
g) Foreigners residing, working and studying in Vietnam for at least 03 months, having Diplomatic or Official Identity Card, Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card, stay permits and unexpired native driving licenses may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam;
h) Foreign tourists driving overseas-registered cars into Vietnam and having unexpired native driving licenses may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam;
i) Vietnamese people (Vietnamese nationality) having unexpired driving licenses issued by other countries while residing, working and studying there may apply for renewal with corresponding driving licenses of Vietnam if they wish to drive in Vietnam.
Thus, in case foreign tourists have to drive a foreign vehicle registered in Vietnam, have a national driving license which is still valid, if there is a need to drive in Vietnam, they shall be considered for conversion to the corresponding driving license of Vietnam.
So in the case that your friend has a foreign-registered driver's license to Vietnam and has a valid driver's license, it will be considered changed to the corresponding driver's license of Vietnam.
Procedures on renewal of foreign driving licenses issued to foreign tourists driving cars into Vietnam
The application for changing the driver's license or driver's license issued by a foreigner to foreign tourists driving into Vietnam is specified in Article 42 of Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT as amended by Clause 24, Article 1 of Circular 38/2019/TT-BGTVT as follows:
1. The candidate shall send a set of application to the Department of Transport or by post. The application includes:
Written request for renewal of driving license according to form prescribed in Appendix 20 enclosed herewith;
b) A written translation of the driving license in Vietnamese guaranteed in quality by notary office or Embassy, Consulate in Vietnam where the translator works, affixed with a stamp on adjoining edges of pages and copy of the driving license; in case of any question found, the licensing agency shall issue a written request to the Embassy or Consulate for verification;
c) Certified true copy of the entry-exit registration list made by the Ministry of Public Security or the copy of passport that shows passport number, full name, passport photo, validity period and page of entry visa to Vietnam;
d) 01 color 3 cm x 4 cm photo with blue background like those used in ID card.
The applicant must present the original copy of aforesaid documents (except for sent original documents) for comparison.
2. The licensing agency shall note “Driving license is renewed for the first time” in its management records.
Best Regards!
